"And you, king's daughter! Put your foot upon the stirrup--so!"
Drawing the girl up to him, Olvir kissed her ruddy cheek.
"Hold, little vala," he added, as Rothada would have sprung down. "I have a question to ask. Where is your father? and how came you here alone?"
"The king, my father, is near his tent. I came with Roland and Gerold and the others. But Liutrad was sent for by Abbot Fulrad, and Fastrada returned to our sweet Dame Hildegarde. Pepin would not stay with me; but Karl--"
"Fastrada!--And they have gone? Ah, well, then, we 'll go to the king, and you shall sit behind me, sweetheart."
"On the beautiful mare! But Karl--"
"He shall sit in front, if he be a man. So; there you are. Now, king's son!"
The boy ran forward, delighted, and was swung up by Floki, astride Zora's neck.
Then the jam of vikings closed in around their leader, and the shouting broke out again.
"Hold your noise, fools!" cried Floki. "The ring-breaker has no mind to be deafened."