"I will lead my fleet to the land of England."
As King Svein took his seat a low murmur of astonishment ran around the hall, followed by a tremendous shout of "Skoal! Skoal!" for this was a great vow to be fulfilled.
"See how pale the Queen is," whispered Astrid to Sigurd. "The vow must have surprised her also."
Indeed, Queen Gunhild had turned white, for the King's vow meant that a great war would be undertaken, and how it would end no man could tell. Before Sigurd could reply, Jarl Sigvald arose and called for silence.
"Men of Denmark and Jomsborg," he said slowly, in his deep voice, the light glinting on his dark, strong face and black eyes, "I also would make a vow, and no light one. As you all know, Jarl Hakon, a heathen man and doubly a traitor, rules Norway while the rightful king, Tryggvee's son, is a wanderer or mayhap dead. This then is my vow: that I go to Norway ere three winters pass, take the rule from the hands of Jarl Hakon, and drive him from the land."
Sigvald sat down, amid a dead hush of amazement; but it was broken by a shout from young Vagn Akison.
"Skoal, Jarl Sigvald, skoal!"
Then what a cheer went up! Ere it subsided, Sigvald's brother, Thorkel the Tall, leaped to his feet and swore to follow the Jarl; Bui the Thick joined him, and amid fresh cheers, Vagn, from the other end of the hall, cried:
"I, too! And ere I return I will slay Thorkel Leira, the villain who betrayed my father to his death!"
"Skoal!" shouted Sigurd, excitedly, "I'm with you, Vagn!"