And it will be better that we
fall on him unawares, before he knows that Havelok, son of Gunnar, lives."
"We fall on him?"
"Ay, you and I, mail on chest and weapon in hand, with Havelok to lead
us. What? think you that I would hold back when Gunnar's son is calling?"
"Steady, friend," I said, laughing; "men will be looking at us."
So he was silent again; and now I thought that the time of which my
father spoke had surely come, for it was plain that Havelok was a man
whom men would gladly follow as he went to win back his kingdom. And I
went and fetched Withelm from where he sat, and so we three talked long
and pleasantly, until it was time for us to go forth from the hall. And
we thought that it was good for Arngeir to come here, for the secret was
coming to light of itself, as it were, and we would have him speak with
Mord.
CHAPTER XIV. THE CRAFT OF ALSI THE KING.
Now Alsi the king went from the feast with a new and cruel thought in
his mind under the smiling face that he wore, and long he sat in his own
chamber, chin on hand and eyes far off, thinking; and at last he called
Berthun.
"What is the name of this big knave of yours?" he asked, when the
steward stood before him.
"He calls himself Curan, lord."
"Calls himself. Well, it is likely that he knows his own name best. Is
he Welsh, therefore?"
"So I think, lord.
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