One of the two marks represented two talons of a bird of prey; the other, a red serpent.
With her knife in her hand, Elwig again turned towards me and fastened her large grey eyes upon me with ferocious satisfaction, while the black warriors contemplated her with looks of fear and superstition.
"Woman," I said to the priestess, "I came here unarmed, an oak branch in my hand, and bearing a message of peace to the grand chiefs of your hordes.—I was fallen upon and bound fast.—I am in your power—you can kill me—if such be your pleasure—but before you do, have me presented to one of your chiefs.—The interview that I request is of as much importance to the Franks as to the Gauls. It is Victorin himself and his mother Victoria the Great who have sent me hither."
"You are sent by Victoria?" cried the priestess with a singular air. "Victoria, who is said to be so very beautiful?"
"Yes, I am sent by her who is called the Mother of the Camps."
Elwig reflected, and after a long silence she raised her hands over her head, brandished her knife, and pronounced some mysterious words in a voice that sounded at once threatening and inspired. Thereupon she motioned to the black warriors to retire.
They all obeyed, walking slowly back towards the thicket that surrounded the clearing.
Only Riowag remained a few steps from the priestess. Turning towards him she pointed with an imperious gesture towards the wood in which the other black warriors had disappeared. Seeing that the captain did not obey her summons, she raised her voice, and again pointed to the wood.
Riowag then obeyed and left in turn.
I remained alone with the priestess. I was left bound, lying at the foot of the statue of the under gods. Elwig squatted down upon her haunches near me and asked: