Now when they saw this they stayed a while, and men shielded them
against the shafts; but the leaders drew together in front of the
Host, and Folk-might fell to speech; and his face was very pale and
stern; for now he had had time to think of the case of the Bride, and
fierce wrath, and grief unholpen filled his soul. So he said:
'Brothers, this is my business to deal with; for I see before me the
stair that leadeth to the Mote-house of my people, and now would I
sit there whereas my fathers sat, when peace was on the Dale, as once
more it shall be to-morrow. Therefore up this stair will I go, and
none shall hinder me; and let no man of the host follow me till I
have entered into the Hall, unless perchance I fall dead by the way;
but stand ye still and look on.'
'Nay,' said Face-of-god, 'this is partly the business of the War-
leader. There are two stairs. Be content to take the southern one,
and I will take the northern. We shall meet on the plain stone at
the top.'
But Hall-face said: 'War-leader, may I speak?'
'Speak, brother,' said Face-of-god.
Said Hall-face: 'I have done but little to-day, War-leader.
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