Ásdís had heard the song once or twice before but never in detail or length and never for the purpose of learning it herself. While the red head had a good memory and enjoyed singing as much as the next lass, the story itself was gruesome (albeit fair) and had Ásdís cringing from time to time as she fumbled over the words. If she were beheaded for being disloyal to her lord and yet loyal to her King Ásdís would at least hope her head wouldn’t be set next to that of the person she had killed. 

And what a funny thought that was… How could someone at once be loyal and disloyal? Didn’t that argue the definition of loyalty? And had the man been Loyal to himself? Loyal to his morals and codes? Did that even matter? 

Ásdís shook her head trying to clear it of such unusual and deep thoughts. What did it matter?! She was not in that position and likeliness was she’d never be, so why ponder uselessly after something that would never come to be? 

Disturbed by her bleak wonderings she was actually glad the rat eater had spoken, sharply looking over at him. Her hopes died quickly. But perhaps she could draw him into conversation…?

“Oh good. It’s not that I’m so vain or afraid of pain, so much as I am concerned the blisters would lessen my competency.” Flushing at this she hurried to clarify. “Not that I won’t work through the pain. I’ll be an excellent rowing partner don’t you worry…” 

Ásdís sighed as the boat rocked with a wave. Not out of the harbor and she was already behaving foolishly. Turning her green eyes to her companion she smiled forlornly. “Do you think if you were beheaded as the man in the song was, would you like your head to be placed beside that of your previous ruler who you beheaded yourself?”