"As you will. Let him come here," Odda said; and the man went out.
Then entered Jarl Osmund, richly dressed for the king's feast, and he looked from one of us to the other as we rose to greet him. Suddenly he smiled grimly.
"I looked to find strangers, and was about to ask for King Ranald. However, Odda the ealdorman and I have met before, as I am certain."
"Faith, we have," said Odda. "Nor am I likely to forget it. It was at Ashdown fight."
"And elsewhere," said the jarl. "But it was ever fair fighting between us."
"Else had you slain me when I was down," said Odda frankly, and with a smile coming into his face.
"The score is even on that count," said Osmund, and with that, with one accord their hands met, and they laughed at each other.
That was good to see, and ever should things be so between brave foes and honest.
Then Osmund looked at me.
"Now have I met with two men whom I have longed to see," he said, "for you must be King Ranald Vemundsson. Two foes I have--if it must be so said--of whom I have nought but good to say."