The crew stared silent Shaken and bewildered though they were, every warrior rose to his feet. The newcomer was very tall. Somehow, in this wind, he kept a broad hat on his gray locks. It overshadowed a lean face from which a long gray beard fell over the cloak he had donned again. He seemed to have no weapon except a spear.

“This is Gangleri,” Hadding told them. “I owe him much from aforetime.”

“Best you rejoin your fleet,” Gangleri said.

“Indeed.” Hadding gave orders. Men snapped to them, sprang overboard and shoved the ship off, climbed back when she was afloat, and set to the oars. It was harder work than coming in, but they were happier doing it.

Already the wind was lower. When Hadding reached his folk he found the seas running easier. The wind shifted. Soon he could cry, “It’s fair for our course. Up masts and sails, in oars, and out ale casks!”

“Does he bring luck, him Gangleri?” muttered Gunnar.

“When he chooses to, I think,” said Ax-Egil as softly.

“How did he happen to be on yon strand right when we passed by?”

“It didn’t merely happen, I’m sure. But let’s speak no more of this.”

Still, the mood aboard Firedrake became, if not altogether merry, hopeful. It spread to the rest of the crews. Hadding bore speedily north.

As the voyage went on, men saw Gangleri eat and drink, sitting on a bench, as a king might eat and drink in his high seat. They never saw him drop his breeks, nor did they see him sleep. They wondered, but not aloud. Few got more than a word or two with him, aside from Hadding. The pair of them were most of the time alone in the forepeak.

Now and then others overheard them. Though strange, the words were heartening rather than daunting. Gangleri was giving Hadding redes about war.

“You are bound against a bigger host than your own,” he said. “Most are poorly armed, but a stone-headed ax or spear, a bone harpoon, or a wooden club deals the same death as iron. Moreover, their bowmen are as good as any Dane, and their slingers are better. Hardly any of them have byrnies, but few of your yeomen do either. Although Bjarmians have seldom fought in great numbers, these have had Swedes to teach them something of it, who will lead and stiffen them. They are hunters of bear and whale. They have their blood feuds and clashes between tribes. Far from home with nowhere to flee to, they will fight like trapped wildcats. Their warlocks will egg them on and cast spells to strike fear in your men. You, have no light task. Well can you leave your bones in the high north.”

“Your wish may be otherwise,” answered Hadding slowly.