Even so
have I sworn, even so will I do.'
Her eyes glittered and her cheek was flushed, and her voice was clear
and ringing now; and when she ended there arose a murmur of praise
from the men round about her. But Iron-face said coldly:
'These are great words; but I know not what they mean. If thou wilt
to the field and fight among the carles (and that I would not naysay,
for it hath oft been done and praised aforetime), why shouldest thou
not go side by side with Face-of-god and as his plighted maiden?'
The light which the sweetness of speech had brought into her face had
died out of it now, and she looked weary and hapless as she answered
him slowly:
'I will not wed with Face-of-god, but will fare afield as a virgin of
war, as I have sworn to the Warrior.'
Then waxed Iron-face exceeding wroth, and he rose up before all men
and cried loudly and fiercely:
'There is some lie abroad, that windeth about us as the gossamers in
the lanes of an autumn morning.'
And therewith he strode up to Face-of-god as though he had nought to
do with the Thing; and he stood before him and cried out at him while
all men wondered:
'Thou! what hast thou done to turn this maiden's heart to stone? Who
is it that is devising guile with thee to throw aside this worthy
wedding in a worthy House, with whom our sons are ever wont to wed?
Speak, tell the tale!'
But Face-of-god held his peace and stood calm and proud before all
men.
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