I saw the whole place as we stood there for the moment in the broad light of the torches on the walls.
We entered at the end of the hall, and right over against us was the high seat, where sat Arnkel and half a dozen other men.

There were no ladies with them, and for that I was glad.

Two great fires burnt on hearths on either side of the hall, halfway down its length, and at this end sat at their trestle tables the thralls and herdsmen and fishers of the house.

Beyond the fires and below the high place were the courtmen on either hand, so that from end to end of the hall ran a clear way for the serving.

With them were their wives and daughters here and there, and there were many women with the lesser folk nearer us as we entered.