They will take any man for their
fellow in arms who will smite stark strokes on their side. They know
Face-of-god, and were liefer of him for War-leader than any other,
and they will follow him wheresoever he leadeth. Thus my kindred
biddeth me say, and I hight Fork-beard of Lea. If I live through
this war, I shall have lived through five.'
Therewith he went back to his place; but the young man lifted up his
voice and said: 'To all this I say yea, and so am I bidden by the
kindred of the Sickle. I am Red-beard of the Knolls, the son of my
father.' And he went to his place again.
Then came forth Stone-face, and said: 'The House of the Face saith:
Lead us through the wood, O Face-of-god, thou War-leader, and ye
warriors of the Wolf. I am Stone-face, as men know, and this word
hath been given to me by the kindred.' And he took his place again.
Then came forth together the three chiefs of the Shepherds, to wit
Hound-under-Greenbury, Strongitharm, and the Hyllier; and
Strongitharm spake for all three, and said:
'The Men of Greenbury, and they of the Fleece and the Thorn, are of
one accord, and bid us say that they are well pleased to have Face-
of-god for War-leader; and that they will follow him and the warriors
of the Wolf to live or die with them; and that they are ready to go
meet the foe at once, and will not skulk behind the walls of
Greenbury.
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