I would
stand by thee on the northern stair; so shall Folk-might be content,
if he doeth two men's work who are not little-hearted.'
Said Face-of-god: 'The doom of the War-leader is that Folk-might
shall fall on by the southern stair to slake his grief and increase
his glory, and Face-of-god and Hall-face by the northern. Haste to
the work, O brothers!'
And he and Hall-face went to their places, while all looked on. But
the Sun-beam, with her hand still in Stone-face's, she turned white
to the lips, and stared with wild eyes before her, not knowing where
she was; for she had deemed that the battle was over, and Face-of-god
saved from it.
But Folk-might tossed up his head and laughed, and cried out, 'At
last, at last!' And his sword was in his hand, the Sleep-thorn to
wit, a blade of ancient fame; so now he let it fall and hang to his
wrist by the leash, while he clapped his hands together and uttered
the Wolf-whoop mightily, and all the men of the Wolf that were in the
host, and the Woodlanders withal, uttered it with him. Then he put
his shield over his head and stood before the first of the steps, and
the Dusky Men laughed to see one man come against them, though there
was death in their hearts.
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