"Listen, Thorwald's men. We took her, well nigh dead, from the
chamber where your king was laid. See, what are these arms I wear?
They will prove it, for they came thence, and are her gift."
"Aye," he sneered in a harsh voice, "you took them at the same time
you took the girl.
"To your arms, men, and see that these robbers do not escape."
The courtmen sprang at their weapons, and there was uproar enough.
For a moment I could not tell what might come, and my hand was on
my sword hilt, though I would not draw the weapon yet. Then came
Gerda's clear voice again.
"To me, Gerda's men," she cried, and her sword flashed out. "He
lies, and you know it."
Three men led a rush down the hall to us, and one was lame. They
were my Caithness men who had escaped from Asbiorn here. After and
with them were a dozen older courtmen of Thorwald's. The women
screamed and shrank back against the walls of the hall, hiding
behind the tables. We had naught to fear from the thralls here, for
they were shouting for Gerda.
One of Eric's men leaned over to Arnkel and spoke to him. Then he
shook his head and scowled at him, and stood up and raised his
hand.
"Here," he said, when a silence fell, "I am a stranger, and it
seems to me that there is matter for a fight, unless somewhat is
set straight.
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