I put it this way: "I think that if your people are driven off there will be peace the sooner, and maybe they will not land when they find us waiting.

I know, too, that those who have loved ones in the battle that may be are in a harder case than yours, dear lady." Then she looked up at me once, and a flush came slowly over her pale face, and she answered nothing.

I thought that she felt some shame that a warrior like her father should bide here, without moving hand or foot, when the war horns were blowing.

So I said: "Harder yet would it be if the jarl were in the battle against our friends.

Then would the fear of his loss be a terror to you also." Now came in Osmund, and straightway Thora rose up, turning away from us both, and went from the hall.