And was takingno risks of being stopped by sword or
hammer, spear or arrow before Icould. We galloped along this, pennons flying, drums
rolling.
And Lur bit her lip, and drew close to me,
frowning.
I caught him in my arms and thrust him between
meand the questing tentacle.
I wonder now you did not when you had
thechance.
I weighed it inmy left hand and took a lighter one
for my right.
The white falconperched on her gauntleted wrist and
cursed me with unwinking goldeneyes. And it well pleased me, who by nowwas as eager
to meet Khalkru as any bridegroom his bride.
Intoning words more ancient than I had
everknown.
I thought that I would like to see those white
brutes of hers inaction.
Her face was white, and her eyes were hard as
bluejewels. It was not in my thoughts to provoke any conflictat this moment. And
many things have been taught from ancientdays which would not stand the test. She
did not speak again until we were within sight of the waiting women;then she turned
to me. Behind these rode four score of the nobleswith Tiburs friend Rascha at their
head. With the women, we dined together in the great hall. I held the little man
high up in one armand thrust again.
Sheclasped her hands around my neck and brought my
lips down to her warmred ones.
Now and then the Smithand his familiars looked back
at me. As for being slain-well, I would have a thing to say to that. I heard a
tinkle upon the rock, the ring of Yodin rolling down the sideof the
cup.
The Witch-woman threw back her head and answered
it.
The Witch-woman andI slipped through the ferns for
a score of paces.
I thought she was rather indifferent about it, but
gave the matter nofurther thought.
It was a full hundred paces away from me, so broad
anddeep was the platform of rock.
It slipped back to the circle andsquatted, watching
her.
Out from under the right-hand cliff gushed
atorrent.
I saw now that it did not come directlyfrom the
cliff.
I thrust my horse past Lurs, and lifted it over the
barrier of thewolves.