And that was what Alsi would have liked to hear, for his speech seemed to say that thus it was, and maybe that he did not altogether like the choice.
But now Alsi said to Berthun, “Bring in the bridegroom.”
“Whom shall I bring, lord?” the steward asked in blank wonder, and Alsi whispered his answer.
At that Berthun’s hands flew up, and his mouth opened, and he did not stir.
“Go, fool,” said Alsi, and I thought that he would have stamped his foot.
Now I knew who was meant in a moment, and even as the steward took his first step from off the dais to go down the hail to his own entrance, I said to Eglaf, “Here is an end to my service with you. My time is up.”
“Why, what is amiss?”
“The bridegroom is my brother—that is all; and I must be free to serve him as I may.”
“Well, if that is so, you are in luck. But I do not think that either of Grim’s sons can be the man. Big enough are you, certainly, but goodly? Nay, but that red head of yours spoils you.”
I daresay that he would have said more about Raven and Withelm, for a talk was going round; but a hush came suddenly, and then a strange murmur of stifled wonder, for Havelok came into the hall after Berthun, and all eyes were turned to him.