She had not before this paid much attention to these brothers, and was somewhat struck with their appearance, for, as we have said before, they were good specimens of men. Hake, the younger of the two, had close-curling auburn hair, and bright blue eyes. His features were not exactly handsome, but the expression of his countenance was so winning that people were irresistibly attracted by it. The elder brother, Heika, was very like him, but not so attractive in his appearance. Both were fully six feet high, and though thin, as has been said, their limbs were beautifully moulded, and they possessed much greater strength than most people gave them credit for. In aspect, thought, and conversation, they were naturally grave, and very earnest; nevertheless, they could be easily roused to mirth.
Going up to them, Freydissa said— “Ye seem to have earnest talk together.”
“We have,” answered Heika. “Our talk is about home.”
“I am told that your home is in the Scottish land,” said Freydissa.
“It is,” answered Hake, with a kindling eye.
“How come you to be so far from home?” asked Freydissa.
“We were taken prisoners two years ago by vikings from Norway, when visiting our father in a village near the Forth fiord.”
“How did that happen? Come, tell me the story; but, first, who is your father?”
“He is an earl of Scotland,” said Heika.
“Ha! and I suppose ye think a Scottish earl is better than a Norse king?”