hem if he may, or ever they have set their hands to the
dwellings of my House. And belike when I have done mine errand to Otter
I shall ride with him to look on these burners and slayers once more;
therefore am I merry. Now for your tidings, fellows."

Said Geirbald: "Our tidings are that both our errands are prevented, and
come to nought: for Otter hath not tarried, but hath ridden with all his
folk toward the stead of thine House. So shalt thou indeed see these
burners and slayers if thou ridest hard; since we have tidings that the
Romans will by now be in Mid-mark. And as for our errand, it is to bid
Thiodolf do even as he hath done. Hereby may we see how good a pair of
War-dukes we have gotten, since each thinketh of the same wisdom. Now
take we counsel together as to what we shall do; whether we shall go back
to Otter with thee, or thou go back to Thiodolf with us; or else each go
the road ordained for us."

Said Asbiorn: "To Otter will I ride as I was bidden, that I may look on
the burning of our roof, and avenge me of the Romans afterwards; and I
bid you, fellows, ride with me, since fewer men there are with Otter, and
he must be the first to bide the brunt of battle."

"Nay," said Geirbald, "as for me ye must even lose a man's aid; for to
Thiodolf was I sent, and to Thiodolf will I go: and bethink thee if this
be not best, since Thiodolf hath but a deeming of the ways of the Romans
and we wot surely of them. Our coming shall make him the speedier, and
the less like to turn back if any alien band shall follow after him. What
sayest thou, Viglund?"

Said Viglund: "Even as thou, Geirbald: but for myself I deem I may well
turn back with Asbiorn. For I would serve the House in battle as soon as
may be; and maybe we shall slaughter these kites of the cities, so that
Thiodolf shall have no work to do when he cometh."

Said Asbiorn; "Geirbald, knowest thou right well the ways through the
wood and on the other side thereof, to the place where Thiodolf abideth?
for ye see that night is at hand."

"Nay, not over well," said Geirbald.

Said Asbiorn: "Then I rede thee take Viglund with thee; for he knoweth
them yard by yard, and where they be hard and where they be soft.
Moreover it were best indeed that ye meet Thiodolf betimes; for I deem
not but that he wendeth leisurely, though always warily, because he
deemeth not that Otter will ride before to-morrow morning. Hearken,
Viglund! Thiodolf will rest to-ni