Hrothgar settles Edwina and Cuthwin by giving the older girl in marriage to the son of one of the King’s under-Reeves. Wihtburg’s wisdom and training as a peace-weaver proved of great value in this and Hrothgar surprises his crew mates by announcing a hand-fasting between himself and Wihtburg.
In spring the Spearhafoc sets sail from Hroarskilde and sets a course for the Linfirth, the strait between North and South Juteland. As Ruric has not returned Hrothgar asks Odard to be steorsman. Saehild sails with them but leaves the ship when they reach Hals at the mouth of the Linfirth saying that she will find a ship from there to take her to the Isle of Hlere. Bumoth raises an eybrow at this but says nothing. It seems that Odard’s folks are from the Linfirth and he finds some foster folk for young Beornmod.
The Spearhafoc picks up two new recruits, a West Geatish shipguard called Aethelbert and a young Danish waelcyrige called Eadgyth. They are also offered an Angle slave, called Acca, who has been cut so that his left leg is lame. He is described as a poor slave and “a runner”, hence the cutting of his hamstring. However, they are told that he is an experienced sailor who has crossed the Sea of the Dead many times to Britannia. Hrothgar, Tohrwulf and Herewulf each put in a mark for his slave price. The deal done, they strike off his bonds and arm him. He agrees to accompany them as a free man.
They southwards to Cucshafn where they guest with Godsbrand, Chapman to Volker of the Hameburg. The following day they are furnished with a river pilot, a young lad named Gifel who guides them safely up-river to the quays of the Hameburg.
That night as they explore the town they discover that there are many bitter and dispossessed Angles living in the Hameburg and that they own a great enmity towards the Danes who have dispossessed them of their ancestral lands. That night Sperling does not return to the ship.
The following day Hrothgar and a few companions, including Herwulf, Tohrwulf and Wihtburg ascend to the Hameburg where they are received in audience with Volker, the Ealdorman of the Hameburg, who was at table, breaking his fast. He receives them kindly and says that he has heard of Thegn Osgar Lytelman and his great deeds. Amongst his gesiths was a woman named Frithegyth, who had been amongst the slaves freed by the Thegn. She confirmed that she knew the Geats, at least by sight. It was a friendly meeting.
Shortly after their return, they became aware of a commotion and Hygebryht, the harbour-reeve, approaching the ship leading a party with a body upon a bier. It was Sperling, who was dead. His wounds were to the front and he had not been robbed. Hygebryht bade Hrothgar refrain from seeking vengeance on his own part and breaking the Hameburg’s peace. He urged them to seek Volker’s justice. Though the crew were wroth, particularly the Danes, Hrothgar agreed. Hygebryght undertook to find the culprit and broke up the angry crowd, full of Danes, Angles and Saxon, who were crying a plague on both these houses.
The crew of the Spearhafoc took Sperling’s corse, washed it and laid it out in his best gear. They discussed amongst themselves the weregild they should ask for him. Later that day they receive a summons to the Great Hall. For the second time that day, Hrothgar attends Ealdorman Volker’s court.
Three assailants were brought forth, along with a local prostitute who had been with Sperling. The tale as the three, all Angles, told it was a sorry one of misunderstandings and short tempers. At leas two of the Angles, were freed Eowan slaves. One had recognised Sperling as they passed each other in a dark alley and sought to speak with him but Sperling clearly thought he was being assaulted and drew his saex, dealing the man a wound. His comrade, Arcil, who had also been an Eowan slave, came to his aid and in the ensuing struggle, Sperling was slain. The prostitute was unable to refute the Angles’ tale. Volker awarded a complex judgement, punishing two of the men with fines, which were paid by the worthies of the Angle community in the Hameburg. Arcil was sentenced to a minor outlawry. Hrothgar accepted a double weregild for Sperling’s life.
Hrothgar returned to the ship and explained the judgement to the crew. All the Danes, barring Eadgyth, decided that they no longer wished to continue to Britannia with the Spearhafoc and would seek a ship to take them back to the Danelands. They left with Sperling but refused to take any share of the weregild.