Ard. If you would save Avesta and yourselves,
Make peace with Oswald. Trust not Antioch.
When Bertrand comes——

Vig. He will not come! He's not
A fool as thou!

Ard. He comes!

Vig. [Lifting his sword] Then here's his welcome!

[Bertrand comes out and walks slowly to the group. Vigard, amazed, lowers his sword]

Ber. My friends, well met. You cut my journey short.

[Gives his sword to Biondel]

Bion. You have come back ... to death?

Ber. The blow, my lord.
Your work is wellnigh done. An easy stroke
Will finish it.

Vig. And whose is that?