The Black Jarl/Chapter 4a



HEY rushed to the attack, and Edvard gave ground in turn. Back against the bole of a tree they pressed him and made ready to cut him down.

But Eric the Dumb had seen, and for a moment forgot that he was a thrall. He knew only that the black jarl pleased him, and was being attacked unjustly. He hurled his great body forward and seized one of the men. He held the warrior's arms close to his sides in a hug like that of a bear, so that the man could not use his sword, could only mouth oaths and struggle in vain to get free.

Edvard Haakonsson shouted in triumph and renewed his attack on the other. He got through the guard, and his blade descended. But not the edge of it. The flat struck a terrific blow against a winged helmet, and the man went down.

"And now!" Edvard cried.

Eric the Dumb released his man, and with a loud bellow of rage the warrior sprang forward. Now he, in turn, learned something of fencing. Back Edvard pressed him, tiring him, playing with him. And in time the flat of his blade struck again. The second man lay stretched.

For a moment the son of Haakon the Lover stood panting. And then he turned to the thrall.

"You did well, Eric!" he said. "Get some others, and fetch thongs! Bind these men well, and carry them into the tent of Magnus!"

He returned his blade to its scabbard and leaned against a tree to watch. Eric called to the other thralls, and they brought thongs.

"Bind them hand and foot!" Edvard commanded. "Now carry them to the tent. No man of you is to release them, even if they demand it. Do you understand? They are to remain so until Svend returns. It will be death for the man who disobeys!"

He turned and beckoned to Eric.

"Your back to me!" he ordered. "I cannot ride or walk to the fair, on my honored word—but nothing was said about me being carried!"

And then the black jarl sprang up and caught the giant thrall about the neck and wrapped his legs around the man's middle. And so, carrying Edvard Haakonsson pickaback, Eric the Dumb stood and waited.

The son of Haakon the Lover pointed down the dusty road.

"To the fair!" he ordered.