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Rh shalt sit at my hearth as my own, until thou shalt find a dearer place beside some faithful lord.”

Maidoch looked up in sad silence. Her heart was full of gratitude to the noble woman who so generously offered her a home and that greater boon, a mother’s care. How churlish she was, not to reply at once, in her eager thankfulness. But Lady Aastrid’s suggestion of a lasting home and a husband in that strange land, sent a chill to her heart that paled her cheek and locked her lips.

Fiachtna broke the silence. “Most noble and most gracious lady, I have not words enough to thank thee for thy thought of this little maid.”

And for thyself, my Jarl, I would gladly have thee for steward over my household. My lord Sigvalde, the Jarl of the Jomsvikings, is often absent, and the matters of his estate are neglected.”

Thorgills said: “My Jarl Fiachtna hath full learning, and would gladly aid thee, my lady, to instruct thy household in the faith of Christ.”

“That would be better still,’ Lady Aastrid assented heartily. “We need some learned men among us, for truth to tell,” the lady sighed, remembering Earl Sigvalde’s career, “our earl-folk do naught but fight, and follow some viking chief. Now our ‘North Star’ has risen. Our Olaf, our Christian king, has come among us and claimed his own. I would aid him in my humble way to make our Norraway full of faithful Christians.” Lady Aastrid turned to Maidoch,