[Gunnar, with some House-carls, enters from the back.

Gunnar.

[Gloomily, to Hiördis.] See now; the seed thou hast sown is sprouting!

Sigurd.

[Approaching.] What is amiss with thee?

Gunnar.

Sigurd, is it thou? What is amiss? Nought but what I might well have foreseen. As soon as Dagny, thy wife, had brought tidings of Kåre the Peasant, I took horse and rode to my neighbours to seek help against him.

Hiördis.

[Eagerly.] Well?

Gunnar.