"You hear the message? Pay heed to it, or it will be the worse for you. Set these folk outside the walls straightway, or else--"
He shook his spear at the gate.
"I will not give them up," said Jefan; "and if--"
He set his hand on his sword hilt and laughed. Naught more was needed.
Then Kynan, who was fairly stamping, broke in, being nowise so patient as his brother:
"Hence, knave and liar! If there were naught else, it were enough that you have called a freeborn thane's daughter a thrall to your evil mistress. The truce is at an end."
His sword flashed out, and Gymbert was ware of bent bows on the rampart which had more than a menace for him. He turned his horse slowly and went his way, only quickening his pace when he was out of range. Just before that some man loosed an arrow at him, which missed him but nearly; and at that Jefan's pent up rage found a vent.
"Take that man and bind him!" he cried to those on the rampart. "Shame on us that a truce bearer should be shot at. Bind him, and set me up a gallows that the country round may see."
I saw the man throw down his bow and hold out his hands.
"The prince is right," he said in a dull voice.