Therefore I will let you go because you have fallen into my hands by chance.

I will only lay this on you, that you shall bide with Earl Wulfnoth for two months before you fight against us again." I was full of wonder at this, for he might well have made me promise to take up arms against Cnut no more, and I could have done no less than promise it, seeing that I was in his hands.
"Why, I must tie you down for a while," he said laughing at my face of doubt.
"Nay, Egil, I do but wonder that you set me free at all," I said.
"Is that so?
I have wondered that you slew me not in the heat of battle.

Well, I will add this, that if we fall on Earl Wulfnoth you may fight for him." I held out my hand, and Egil took it.
"You have my word, Egil; you are most generous," I said.
Then he glanced at sword Foe's Bane.
"Some day you and I, maybe, will have a good fight for your sword in all friendliness," he said.
"Surely I thought you would take it back," I cried.

"I feared so, for it was my father's sword." "Aha! I knew there was somewhat strange about that blade," he said.
"Tell me what story it has." I told him in a few words about the winning of the sword from the grave mound by Thorgeir, my grandfather, and asked Egil how he came by it.
"I bought it from a man after Nacton fight, and I have never had any luck with it.

I was sure it was a magic sword of some sort; for it let go three men whom I should surely have slain with any other blade.