e Wrestling in the

, and it seemed as though there was naught left to live for in this world. And in the long night hours did evil voices whisper in hi

hast only thy strength and no wisdom. Go to the hills and join the nameless ones and the masterless men, and be their leader, and spread fire and carry sword, and make thyself a name that shall be feared, and put all these dreams from thee. There are fair maidens to

elf that this thing was best, and that he would go and join the namel

dlands and the earth smiled again, and better voices came to Wulnoth and spoke in the land-

before thee-when the hours pass and are not use

egin," said Wulnoth, and t

completed. Rise up and search, for the seeker

o but waste time sitting idle, and even if I seek the

to harm him; and he strode through the forest and came to the road, and then he knew that it

he said. "Perchance some dwell there

ashes and desolation. Here stood the blackened walls, and there lay beam and iron, wh

d been thorough, and the vengeance of Hungwar and Hubba had

rt of Wulnoth as he stood survey

d Guthred the Prince and set him back on his throne, and I will find

hold who thus jeered at his words, for tears were gone and

mighty man-who sat and eyed him; and Wulnoth's heart was full of wonder, for this man was so like himse

ke myself that thou mightest be my brother? and by what na

, Cerdic's son, thou talker of big words and doer of l

whoever thou art, for I a

at sorrow's touch, to faint at difficulty, an

trange spell upon me, or did the night wanderers bewitch m

gth, "dost thou own that thou hast spoken fals

lnoth. "Whoever thou ar

and I mean to gather a band of masterless men, and in this plac

lnoth quickly. And the other laugh

I go to seek Guthred the Prince, and to bring h

m for us twain in the world, and that one of us must conquer the other. Therefore cast aside thy club and come holmgang wit

aside the club. "Let it be as thou sayest, thou wh

en they faced each other, and gripped, and swayed, and strained, while the bl

of the bear, this would be but an easy matter, but to his surprise he found that the stranger was strong as he, and kne

om the cloudland, and then they paused, and flung themselve

day dawns we will fight again, and I shall conquer thee, and then I will either sl

now. You may be warlock or mountain troll who has stolen my shape and

I will prove it," said the

by night as by day can we

f from the wine horn," the other replied.

"We will make an end of th

r. "For this I will surely slay thee. Ye

gain no victory; and as the night deepened, it seemed that the other grew

d bitter shall be the drink in whic

noth, speaking short and hoarse. "

cast him off, and so they struggled until the sun rose; and then stronger and stronger Wu

eaten me. Yet thou wouldst not ha

's hall still stood, and they caught the beams of the rising sun, and upon the ground their shadows fell just whe

d Wulnoth

, can you tell me this riddle, for I am weary of mysteries. W

e strongest," answered the other, and a

," he said; "and yet, if it made me stro

if I told thee, Wanderer," was t

lie when thou didst take my

a surety I am Wuln

ed Wulnoth. "Then who may

ent to meet thee and to conquer thee, and thou hast conquered me. Well for thee that thou hast conquered Wulnoth, Cerdic's son, for unless thou hadst done

I am Wulnoth. Moreover, it was Wulnoth whom Osth did teach, and since thou ownest

hee," was the answer. "Some

ll the good things promised thus? The future must

ore, Wulnoth, since so thou w

th. "I have conquered thee

ne thing-thou must watch me, for I may yet turn and smite thee. I tell thee, Wulnoth, that I am

ddles and dark sayings. Yet before thou dost go tell me one

" said the other.

d son of Hardacnute, who was King of Le

ill beareth a scar of a wound made by a broken sword once in this very spot. And, moreover, the names of Cerdic, thrall of Berwulf, and of Wulnoth, the son of Cerdic, might be remembered. So keep thy co

t the advice is good, for where shall I glean tidings

ed a moment

Lodbrok? There is Wyborga's rede! I will seek Regne

fell upon the shadow again, an

try and come by its meaning. 'T is but a shadow, yet as it fe

down his hand. And then he uttered a cry of joy, for he drew out a mighty sword with good handle, fashioned so that the fingers could grip it wel

h a friend! Now I have a long road to tread, and none can say what may befall in the journey or at its close, yet the way is clear thus far-I must seek Regner Lodbrok the Danish sea-king,

elf by his name, and this is how he started to seek for Re