Thus as they sat they heard the sound of a horn winded close outside
the hall door, and the door was smitten on. Then rose Iron-face
smiling merrily, and cried out:
'Enter ye, whether ye be friends or foes: for if ye be foemen, yet
shall ye keep the holy peace of Yule, unless ye be the foes of all
kindreds and nations, and then shall we slay you.'
Thereat some who knew what was toward laughed; but Gold-mane, who had
been away from Burgstead some days past, marvelled and knit his
brows, and let his right hand fall on his sword-hilt. For this folk,
who were of merry ways, were wont to deal diversely with the Yule-
tide customs in the manner of shows; and he knew not that this was
one of them.
Now was the Outer door thrown open, and there entered seven men,
whereof two were all-armed in bright war-gear, and two bore slug-
horns, and two bore up somewhat on a dish covered over with a piece
of rich cloth, and the seventh stood before them all wrapped up in a
dark fur mantle.
Thus they stood a moment; and when he saw their number, back to Gold-
mane's heart came the thought of those folk on the Mountain: for
indeed he was somewhat out of himself for doubt and longing, else
would he have deemed that all this was but a Yule-tide play.
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