But ere he drew away his face
from the Sun-beam's, came memory to him, and a sharp pang shot
through his heart, as he heard Folk-might say: 'Where then is the
Shield-may of Burgstead? where is the Bride?'
And Face-of-god said under his breath: 'She is dead, she is dead!'
And then he stared out straight before him and waited till someone
else should say it aloud. But Bow-may stepped forward and said:
'Chief of the Wolf, be of good cheer; our kinswoman is hurt, but not
deadly.'
The Alderman's face changed, and he said: 'Hast thou seen her, Bow-
may?'
'Nay,' she said. 'How should I leave the battle? but others have
told me who have seen her.'
Folk-might stared into the ranks of men before him, but said nothing.
Said the Alderman: 'Is she well tended?'
'Yea, surely,' said Bow-may, 'since she is amongst friends, and there
are no foemen behind us.'
Then came a voice from Folk-might which said: 'Now were it best to
send good men and deft in arms, and who know Silver-dale, from house
to house, to search for foemen who may be lurking there.'
The Alderman looked kindly and sadly on him and said:
'Kinsman Stone-face, and Hall-face my son, the brunt of the battle is
now over, and I am but a simple man amongst you; therefore, if ye
will give me leave, I will go see this poor kinswoman of ours, and
comfort her.
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