SIGURD. Yet listen——
ORNULF. No, I say! I must fight my own battle, be my fortune what it may.
KARE (approaching). Right friendly is Sigurd's rede, but if thou wilt indeed fight thine own battle with all thy might, I can counsel thee better. Dream not of atonement so long as Hiordis has aught to say; but revenge can be thine if thou wilt hearken to me.
ORNULF. Revenge? What dost thou counsel?
SIGURD. Evil, I can well see.
DAGNY (to ORNULF). Oh, do not hear him!
KARE. Hiordis has declared me an outlaw; with cunning will she seek to take my life; do thou swear to see me scatheless, and this night will I burn Gunnar's hall and all within it. Is that to thy mind?
SIGURD. Dastard!
ORNULF (quietly). To my mind? Knowest thou, Kare, what were more to my mind? (In a voice of thunder.) To hew off thy nose and ears, thou vile thrall. Little dost thou know old Ornulf if thou thinkest to have his help in such a deed of shame!
KARE (who has shrunk backwards). If thou fall not upon Gunnar he will surely fall upon thee.