Now he lifted up his face, and put his hand on Folk-might's shoulder,
and said in a loud voice:
'Kinsmen, it were well if our brother were to bid the banners into
the Mote-house of the Wolf, and let all the Host set itself in array
before the said house, and abide till the chasers of the foe come to
us thither; for I perceive that they are now become many, and are
more than those of our kindred.'
Then Folk-might looked at him with kind eyes, and said:
'Thou sayest well, brother; even so let it be!'
And he lifted up his sword, and Face-of-god cried out in a loud
voice: 'Forward, banners! blow up horns! fare we forth with
victory!'
So the Host drew its ranks together in good order, and they all set
forward, and old Stone-face took the Sun-beam by the hand and led on
behind Folk-might and the War-leader. But when they came to the
Hall, then saw they how the steps that led up to the door were high
and double, going up from each side without any railing or fool-
guard; and crowding the stairs and the platform thereof was a band of
the Dusky Men, as many as could stand thereon, who shot arrows at the
host of the kindreds, howling like dogs, and chattering like apes;
and arrows and spears came from the windows of the Hall; yea, and on
the very roof a score of these felons were riding the ridge and
mocking like the trolls of old days.
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