Aasta was the first to break the silence of wonderment.
"My lord," said she, "there is more in this than the dying words of your
kinsman William foretold. And right wise were you to bid me put on this
fisher maid's disguise. Give me your dirk, Earl Kenric, lest I meet
misfortune, and I will take my creel of fish and offer it for sale among
the people. It may be that in speaking with the islanders I shall hear
that which the mere sight of these ships cannot explain."
Then Kenric returned to the boat, bringing back the basket of fish,
which he gave to Aasta together with his dirk.
"You will trust me, my lord?" she asked.
Kenric smiled. "To the end," said he. "But what is your plan, Aasta?"
"That you remain with the boat, my lord, while I journey to the village,
wherever it may be found. Not long shall I be, and I beg you not to
leave the cave till I return."
Taking the fish creel over her back she went away. Passing up the ravine
and mounting to the heights, she had not gone far when she saw a party
of warriors sitting round a camp fire. She went boldly towards them.
"So please you, my masters," she began in the Norse tongue, "I have
brought you some good fresh fish if so be you would buy them from a poor
body."
"Show us your fish, girl," said one of the men, rising. Then looking
into the basket he added, "What want you for them?"
"Four cakes of bread," said she.
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