Thus saying, she set their hands one in another, and these hands gripped and held.
Quoth Ulf, sighing:
"Forsooth, I did but mean to try the balance of thine axe, Walkyn. And truly it is a mighty weapon and a peerless—one that even my strength cannot break!"
Quoth Walkyn, grim-smiling:
"There is in this world no axe like unto it save one that was my brother's—and shall be thine henceforth, Ulf the Strong. Come now, and I will give it unto thee." Then bent they reverently before the Abbess, saluted Beltane and, side by side, strode away together.
"Would all feuds might so end, sweet son," sighed the Abbess, her wistful eyes down-bent upon the fire.
"Would there were more sweet souls abroad to teach men reason!" quoth
Beltane.
"Why sit you here, my son, wakeful and alone and the hour so late?"
"For that sleep doth fly my wooing, holy mother."
"Then fain would I share thy vigil awhile."