“I see, however, that you have needful business to arrange. Take two days to attend to it, and join me on the third day at sunset. Only assure me that you will not fail me on that day.”
Rather an appeal than a command did it become in the gentleness of his voice, the friendliness of the hand he stretched out. Taking the hand in both of his, the Songsmith answered from the sincerity of his heart:
“May my luck fail me if I fail you either in this or in greater things! For all it is worth you have my loyalty, I take oath on it.”
Returning the pressure of the Songsmith’s warm clasp, the Jarl’s gaze held him long and strangely.
“I believe you,” he said. “For whatever it is worth, I swear you my friendship—for whatever it is worth!”
On that they parted.
V
“His hands are clean who warns another”
—Northern saying.
