As the tumult subsided, the Queen looked at Vagn and Sigurd sadly. "You are rash boys, you two! Do you realize what blood and tears these oaths will cost?"
Sigurd answered her respectfully. "Noble Gunhild, that may well be; yet Jarl Hakon is an evil man and a pagan, as is Thorkel. At any rate, I won't have to try my new sword on the tree, now!" His keen gray eyes twinkled.
The Queen made no reply, however, and sat watching King Svein; but Astrid whispered:
"I think that was splendid! I wish I could go, too!"
Vagn laughed. "You'd be a fine one! Why, the first war-horn would send you down below trembling!"
"It wouldn't either!" retorted the girl indignantly. "I can shoot better than you or Sigurd, either of you!"
"Good! I challenge you to a match to-morrow," cried Sigurd. "We'll go over to the shore beyond the harbor, where no one will interrupt, and if you best either of us I'll give you my trained falcon from France!"
"Then look out," laughed Astrid, "because I'm going to win the bird to-morrow morning!"
With this she arose and followed the Queen, who was leaving. The two boys, not wishing to join in the carouse that most of the vikings would keep up for the better part of the night, also left the hall and proceeded to their own tent.
"What think you of these vows, Sigurd?" asked Vagn, as they went along.