A skald stood before him, saying forth a stave in his praise., When it ended, the king smiled. “Men will long remember that,” he said. “Then let them remember too how much I liked it.” He broke off half of an arm-ring and handed it to the man, a generous reward. Folk cheered. The skald said a verse of thanks and took his own seat. Friends thumped him on the back, tendered their best wishes, and bade him wet his throat.

After this it was seemly for the newcomers to tread forth. Hadding spoke first. “Why, Eyjolf!” he cried happily. “Welcome! Why didn’t you let us know you were bound here, so we could have a feast worthy of you?”

“There was little time to spare, lord,” said Lysir’s son. “Nor is there now “

Indrawn breath rustled through the hall. Hadding’s lips tightened. Yet he said calmly, “Come sit at my side and drink with me before we touch on anything worse.”

The news soon came out. Having fastened his rule on Svithjod, Asmund was quick to make ready for war. They had lately heard tales in Scania of how he was calling up both Swedes and Geats. It seemed clear that he meant to cross the marches. between the kingdoms. Such a host could lay much waste before men returned home for the springtime farm work.

Hadding tugged his chin and stared into the dusk that gathered under the roof. “Belike he means to leave as many warriors as he can behind, to hold his winnings and make further trouble,” he said low. “Once the crops are in, he’ll raise the great levy anew, and this time strike across the Sound. Anyhow, thus would I work. So let us forestall him.”

An older warrior frowned. “Lord, can we get enough men ourselves, ferry them over, and keep them fed? This is short warning.”

The king lifted his head. “I think we can raise as much strength as I’ll need,” he answered for all to hear. “Asmund shall not be free to waste my lands and harry my folk.”

Eyjolf’s eyes flashed. “When I helped you, I did well,” he said.

Now Hadding became once more roaringly busy. He lacked time for the war-arrow to go around the whole of Denmark, but Zealand and the islands south of it bore many thriving farms, which had bred strong sons. Word went likewise through Scania, bidding warriors meet at set places. Mean-while Hadding gathered ships and stores, with wains and horses to bear the needful stuff along. Hard though he worked, the trees were budding and a mist of green overlay the earth before he could start forth/ The leaves were out, small and tender, the grass growing well, and wanderbirds flocking homeward through heaven, when he met his foe.