Then the Alderman said: 'I would question my son Face-of-god. Let
him stand forth!'
And therewith he smiled merrily in his son's face, for he was
standing right in front of him; and he said:
'Ask of me, Alderman, and I will answer.'
'Kinsman,' said Iron-face, 'look at these two dead men, and tell me,
if thou hast seen any such besides those two murder-carles who were
slain at Carlstead; or if thou knowest aught of their folk?'
Said Face-of-god: 'Yesterday I saw six others like to these both in
array and of body, and three of them I slew, for we were in battle
with them early in the morning.'
There was a murmur of joy at this word, since all men took these
felons for deadly foemen; but Iron-face said: 'What meanest thou by
"we"?'
'I and the men who had guested me overnight,' said Face-of-god, 'and
they slew the other three; or rather a woman of them slew the
felons.'
'Valiant she was; all good go with her hand!' said the Alderman.
'But what be these people, and where do they dwell?'
Said Face-of-god: 'As to what they are, they are of the kindred of
the Gods and the Fathers, valiant men, and guest-cherishing: rich
have they been, and now are poor: and their poverty cometh of these
same felons, who mastered them by numbers not to be withstood.
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