“Glum shall suffer death for what he did not do. The thieves need not suffer for what they did. It matters more to get the things back. I promise that whoever brings me the loot unharmed, him will I make welcome. Yes, I will bestow on him honors like to those that were Glum’s.”

He called on the lawman to set out the oath-ring. Laying his hand on it, he swore to those words, so help him the Vanir and almighty Thor. Wind strengthened, tossing his hair golden around his brows. It whistled. Cloud shadows hastened across the land and thunder began to growl from afar. Men looked at each other, muttered, and left as soon as the king told them the meeting was over.

After the hanging he went for a hunt in the wood with a few friends. They did not hope to stumble on the booty, but it would work some of the anger out of him He met the onset of a boar that ran up his spear until the tusks nearly gashed him before it died. Then he grew mild, almost cheerful.

They wended their way back. As he strode into the thorp around the hall, a strong-thewed, sooty man stepped from under a roof and hailed him. “Lord king,” he asked, “can we speak alone?”

Hadding knew the blacksmith Bosi. “Yes, of course,” he said, and waved his huntsmen aside. Those two went into the smithy. There, by the glow from the coals at the forge, Bosi brought forth, “I’ve been thinking over your words at the folkmoot, lord. Did you mean them?”

“All heard what I swore to,” Hadding answered.

“Then—” Bosi braced himself and went on in a rush: “I am one of those who lifted the treasure. I’ll give you back what I have.”

Hadding took the news quietly. “That is well,” he said. “I’ll abide by my oath. But can’t you show me the whole of it?”

“No, I fear not. We split it among us, and each took his share off to hide where only he knows. But I will return Skjold’s chain and many rings.”

“That is worth much,” Hadding said. “Better yet will be if you name the others.”

Bosi shook his head. “We swore blood brotherhood.” He gulped. “You did not say you wanted us to break our own oath.”

“No, I did not,” Hadding yielded. “Come with me and take your reward. Maybe they too will think twice.”

Bosi walked stiffly after him. That eventide in the hall Hadding called him to stand before the high seat. “This man did wrong,” he said aloud. “But he is doing his best to set things right. Therefore he shall have a ring off my arm and a place at our feast. Speak well to him, for he shall have more honors hereafter.”