The young man turned pale.
“Thou hast truth in thy lips,” said he, with a faltering voice.
“Not from me, but from the stars, descends the truth.”
“Can the stars grant my wish?”
“They can; let us meet to-morrow.” Thus saying, Morven passed into the forest.
The next day, at noon, they met again.
“I have consulted the gods of night, and they have given me the power that I prayed for, but on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That thou sacrifice thy sister on their altars thou must build up a heap of stones, and take thy sister into the wood, and lay her on the pile, and plunge thy sword into her heart; so only shalt then reign.”
The prince shuddered, and started to his feet, and shook his spear at the pale front of Morven.