"Ho, men," he shouted, "will you own an outland lord?"
"Aye, we will," said Gorm the Steward sturdily. "Sooner than listen
to a coward and would-be murderer of women."
That ended the matter. The courtmen yelled, and one or two who
tried to get to Arnkel's side were seized and hurled to the ground
by the men who cheered for Gerda, and I knew that the day was won.
But I watched Arnkel, for there was somewhat of madness in his
look. His hand stole down to the long dirk in his belt, and then
clutched it.
Like a flash the keen blade fled across the hall, straight at Gerda
as she stood fearless before him, and I was only just in time. I
stood on her right, and my left arm caught it. The blade went
through the muscles of the forearm, and stayed there, but that was
of no account. Gerda's light mail would hardly have stopped it.
She gave a little cry, and I set my arm behind me, smiling. But the
men saw and roared, and there was not one on the side of the man
who would do so evil a deed. They made a rush for the dais,
overturning the tables, and hustling aside Eric's men, who were in
their way, else there would have been an end of Arnkel.
Maybe in the long run it had been as well for him, but in the
scuffle he opened the door behind him and rushed out.
Pages:
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310