But down through the dark they went, and so came on to the stony
scree at the end of the pass and into the Vale; and the whole Folk
save the three chieftains flowed over it and stood about it down on
the level grass of the Vale. But those three stood yet on the top of
the scree, bearing the war-signs of the Shaft and the Spear, and
betwixt them the banner of the Wolf and the Sunburst newly displayed
to the winds of Shadowy Vale.
Up and down the Vale they looked, and saw before the tents of men the
old familiar banners of Burgdale rising and falling in the evening
wind. But amidst of the Doom-ring was pitched a great banner,
whereon was done the image of the Wolf with red gaping jaws on a
field of green; and about him stood other banners, to wit, The Silver
Arm on a red field, the Red Hand on a white field, and on green
fields both, the Golden Bushel and the Ragged Sword.
All about the plain shone glittering war-gear of men as they moved
hither and thither, and a stream of folk began at once to draw toward
the scree to look on those new-comers; and amidst the helmed
Burgdalers and the white-coated Shepherds went the tall men of the
Wolf, bare-headed and unarmed save for their swords, mingled with the
fair strong women of the kindred, treading barefoot the soft grass of
their own Vale.
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