But on the even whereof the tale now tells, Face-of-god and Stone-
face and their company met after nightfall in the Hall of the Face
clad in glorious raiment, and therewith were Dallach and the men of
Silver-dale, washen and docked of their long hair, after the fashion
of warriors who bear the helm; and they were clad in gay attire, with
battle-swords girt to their sides and gold rings on their arms.
Somewhat stern and sad-eyed were those Silver-dalers yet, though they
looked on those about them kindly and courteously when they met their
eyes; and Face-of-god yearned towards them when he called to mind the
beauty and wisdom and loving-kindness of the Sun-beam. They were, as
aforesaid, strong men and tall, and one of them taller than any
amidst that house of tall men. Their names were Wolf-stone, the
tallest, and God-swain, and Spear-fist; and God-swain the youngest
was of thirty winters, and Wolf-stone of forty. They came into the
Hall in such wise, that when they were washed and attired, and all
men were assembled in the Hall, and the Alderman and the chieftains
sitting on the dais, Face-of-god brought them in from the out-bower,
holding Dallach by the right hand and Wolf-stone by the left; and he
looked but a stripling beside that huge man.
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