But these valiant men, who bear on their banner the image
of the Wolf, should be our fellows in arms, and they have good will
thereto; and they shall show us the way to Silver-dale by blind
paths, so that we may fall upon these felons while they dwell there
tormenting the poor people of the land, and thus may we destroy them
as lads a hornet's nest. Or else the days shall be hard for us.'
The men who hung about them drank in his words greedily. But Hall-
face was silent a little while, and then he said: 'Brother Gold-
mane, these be great tidings. Time was when we might have deemed
them but a minstrel's tale; for Silver-dale we know not, of which
thou speakest so glibly, nor the Dusky Men, any more than the Shadowy
Vale. Howbeit, things have befallen these two last days so strange
and new, that putting them together with the murder at Wood-grey's,
and thy words which seem somewhat wild, it may well seem to us that
tidings unlooked for are coming our way.'
'Come, then,' said Face-of-god, 'give me what thou hast in thy scrip,
and trust me, I shall not jeer at thy tale.'
Said Hall-face: 'I also will be short with the tale; and that the
more, as meseemeth it is not yet done, and that thou thyself shalt
share in the ending of it.
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