Said Ar: "Methinks thy thralls have saved thy life." "That is true," answered Grani. "What wilt thou give them?" asked Ar. "Whatever they wish," answered Grani. He called on Rolf to say what gift he would like at his hands. "That bow and those arrows," said Rolf. "Now," asked Grani, "which is dearest to thee, that bow, or thy freedom and Frodi's?" "Our freedom," answered Rolf. "Your freedom shall you have," said Grani. Then, before all who were in the hall, he spoke Rolf and Frodi free. CHAPTER XXI HOW ROLF WON THE VIKING'S BOW Grani sent men to the viking's mound, and they fetched home all the precious things which were there, whether gold, silver, cloths or weapons. Among these last was the viking's bill. That was a notable weapon, having a curving blade with a hook springing from its back, and set like a great spearhead upon a pole as high as a man's shoulder. Grani kept all weapons; but he gave Rolf and Frodi things to the value of some hundreds in silver, and begged that they should remain with him in the hall of Ar the Peacock. Yet Rolf bore himself as if he expected more from Grani than gold and silver, and said he could not stay in the hall. Grani complained of that to Ar. Ar asked: "Knowest thou not what he will have of thee?" Said Grani, "The bow, belike." "Not so," answered Ar. "Well," Grani said, "I will make amends to him by pressing him again to live here with us." "Thou shalt never succeed with him in that," replied Ar, "until thou hast said those words which will make him forget that he was once a thrall in this place. But this I beg thee, drive him not away from Hawksness; for war with the Scots is threatened in the spring, and all fighting-men will be of value." So Grani did not press Rolf to stay in the hall, and he asked: "Where will ye live?" "We go," answered Rolf, "to stay a while with that shipmaster who has been living here." But when they searched after Kiartan, it was told that he had gone with his ship with great suddenness when he learned that Rolf and Frodi were set free. Yet in his haste he had left merchandise, and had outstanding credits; so Rolf took Kiartan's lodgings, and said he would wait his return. Then winter came on, and the place was snowed and frozen up, so that men had nothing to do save to hold sports on the ice, or to sit long of evenings in the hall, talking of many things. But now all was different from before, and Rolf and Grani came seldom together. One time when all were at games on the ice, Grani sent for his bow, and it was brought out to him. Men took it and handled it, admiring it much. "Let us see," said Grani, "what shooting we can do with it." He tried to string the bow.