"If that is all the trouble now," he said, therefore, "as we are in your power you can make us promise what you like. Give us terms at least; if not, come and end us and the matter at once."
One of the men flew at him on that, and bided where he fell, across the doorway of the porch; none stirred to follow him.
"Swear that you will not go to Ina for a month's time with any tales, and you and all shall go free," Erpwald said.
The man who had spoken before put in at once:
"What of the blood feud, Erpwald?--There is Aldred's son yet."
At that the priest lost temper with his follower, and turned on him savagely:
"Is it for men to war with children? What care I for a blood feud? Can I not fend for myself? Hold your peace."
Then he said to Owen:
"They say that you are the child's foster-father now. If I give him to you, will you swear that you or he shall cross my path no more? You need not trouble to go to Ina, for he will not hearken to a Briton in any case."
Owen reddened under the last, but for my sake he did not answer, save to the first part of the saying.