Well, so wise was Folk-might that we came on them unawares by
night and cloud at the edge of the Pine-wood, and but one of our men
was slain, and of them not one escaped; and when the fight was over
we counted four score and ten of their arm-rings.'
He said: 'Did that or aught else come of our meeting with them that
morning?'
'Nay,' she said, 'nought came of it: those we slew were but a
straying band. Nay, the four score and ten slain in the Pine-wood
knew not of Shadowy Vale belike, and had no intent for it: they were
but scouring the wood seeking their warriors that had gone out from
Silver-dale and came not aback.'
'Thou art wise in war, Bow-may,' said Face-of-god, and he smiled
withal.
Bow-may reddened and said: 'Friend Gold-mane, dost thou perchance
deem that there is aught ill in my warring? And the Sun-beam, she
naysayeth the bearing of weapons; though I deem that she hath little
fear of them when they come her way.'
Said Face-of-god: 'Nay, I deem no ill of it, but much good. For I
suppose that thou hast learned overmuch of the wont of the Dusky Men,
and hast seen their thralls?'
She knitted her brows, and all the merriment went out of her face at
that word, and she answered: 'Yea, thou hast it; for I have both
seen their thralls and been in the Dale of thralldom; and how then
can I do less than I do? But for thee, I perceive that thou hast
been nigh unto our foes and hast fallen in with their thralls; and
that is well; for whatso tales we had told thee thereof it is like
thou wouldst not have trowed in, as now thou must do, since thou
thyself hast seen these poor folk.
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