We came to a place where the woodland track broadened out into a clearing, and there waited the other Danes, and with them, sitting alone now on the horse, was Eadmund the King.
Pale he was, and all soiled with the stains of war, and with the moss and greenery of his strange hiding place; but his eye was bright and fearless, and he sat upright and stately though he was yet with his hands bound behind him.
I rode past Ingvar and to Eadmund's side, and throwing myself from my horse stood by him, while the Dane glared at us both without speaking.
"Why run thus into danger, Wulfric my son?" said the king, speaking gently; "better have let me be the only victim."
"That you shall not be, my king," I answered; "for if you must die, I will be with you. But I have come to try to ransom you."
"There are two words concerning that," said Ingvar in his cold voice. "Maybe I will take no gold for Eadmund."
"What shall we give you then?" I asked, looking earnestly at him.
"You heard what I said this morning before the battle. I have no other terms but those. And I think they are light--as from the son of Lodbrok whom this king's servant slew."
Now Eadmund spoke, saying to Ingvar:
"Let me hear what are your terms for my freedom. In the slaying of Lodbrok my friend I had no part."