Hadding had not found a second wife who would give him a good tie to a strong house. Nor had he sought hard. Since Ragnhild’s death, he slept with whatever sightly woman was on hand and willing when he felt like it, which was not as often as formerly. However, he was still fond of Gyda. She dwelt in Haven in a house he had given her, but he would go there or she visit him while he was staying hereabouts.

When Ulfhild quarreled with her, shrieked that she was a nasty old slut, and scratched her cheek bloody, the news brought Hadding to a wintry anger. He sought his daughter out in the bower, gripped her arm bruisingly tight, and said, “Come along.” She pulled against him, spitting like a cat. “If you will not walk, I’ll drag you,” he said. She walked.

They went along a path beside a meadow. The year was waning. Below an overcast, rags of cloud flew smoky on a chill wind. The grass had gone sallow. Leaves blew off a stand of beeches nearby. Crows winged low, hoarsely calling.

“There will be no more of this trollishness,” he said.

“Over and over has that woman belittled me,” answered Ulfhild. “She sits by you in the high seat. She gives no thought to my wants, mine, the king’s daughter. When I offer a rede, she cares no more about it than if I were a bairn. Today I told the thrall Kark to groom my horse Gullfaxi. Gyda heard. She wanted him to fetch a box of stuff from her house. She had already bidden him, but—It was too much. I’ve had too much from her.”

Hadding grasped both her arms, swung her around to face him, and said, “Didn’t you hear me? There will be no more trollishness. I too will brook only so much.”

She stared into his eyes. Giants had reared him. Another giant had he slain, and many mighty warriors. He had won in battle against warlocks and had passed through a land of the dead. Never had she seen anything more bleak than his eyes.

Her thews slackened. She bowed her head. “I’m sorry, father,” she whispered.

He let her go. “See that you stay sorry.” After a while he went on, half to himself, “I’ve been thinking about this. The time is overpast that we get some worth out of your life.”

He turned and strode back to the hall. She stood long alone in the wind.