XXXVI
THE FUNERAL BAKED MEATS COLDLY FURNISH FORTH THE MARRIAGE FEAST
Earl Ironbeard’s obsequies were those of the true Norseman, His body, clad in full suit of mail, had been placed upon the prow of his ship. Then the vessel was set on fire and cut loose to drift far down the tide.
His followers made a merry funeral feast; and with many potations of ale and mead, they swore to avenge him.
After these ceremonies, at which she was a prominent figure, Ingrid returned to Nidaros. To her stern soul it seemed as if the old gods had truly come to her aid, in avenging her husband’s death, when Olaf proclaimed his betrothal to her daughter.
To the sorceress it appeared as if Olaf had signed his own death sentence; so certain was Ingrid of using Gudrun to avenge her father’s death and compensate for their wrongs. In this grimly exultant mood she returned to her home, where Gudrun awaited her.
After relating how the king had offered marriage to the orphan daughter as a blood atonement, the old dame ordered a fine supper. At the sight of the steaming boar’s-head and spiced wine and ale that
