Let him therefore come out together with the lord who named me a liar, armed with swords only, and I, who being a liar must also be a coward, together with my servant, a black dwarf, will meet them man to man in the sight of both the armies, and fight them to the death.

Or if it pleases Idernes better, let him not come and I will seek him and kill him in the battle, or by him be killed." The herald, having taken stock of me and of Bes at whom he laughed, returned with the message.
"Will he come, think you, Master ?" asked Bes.
"Mayhap," I answered, "since it is a shame for an Eastern to refuse a challenge from any man whom he calls barbarian, and if he did so it might cost him his life afterwards at the hands of the Great King.

Also if he should fall there are others to take his command, but none who can wipe away the stain upon his honour." "Yes," said Bes; "also they will think me a dwarf of no account, which makes the task of killing you easy.

Well, they shall see." Now when I sent this challenge I had more in my mind than a desire to avenge myself upon Idernes and his captain for the public shame they had put upon me.

I wished to delay the attack of their host upon our little band and give time for the army of Peroa to come up behind.