"White to the lips, the young sea-king turned to his enemy." (Page [44])
The comforting thought was diverted by a soft whisper at his ear,--"Do not be deceived, lord count. The Merwing lies."
In the tense strain of his test with the arrow, Olvir had lost all consciousness of Fastrada's presence. Now, however, he turned about, and his gaze rested upon the maiden's exquisite figure. At the sight, all his bitter thoughts of treachery and revenge were forgotten. He had no time to recall his sword-brother to mind before the girl raised her head, and, smiling and blushing with undisguised pleasure, turned upon him a look that set his heart to throbbing with mad delight.
"So my lord count is at last pleased to greet me," she half whispered.
"I had first to greet the host, maiden," rejoined Olvir, with a flash of grim humor.
"Ai! it was grandly done! But I shudder to think of your peril!" and the girl's bosom heaved with emotion.
Olvir gazed straight into her eyes, blue as sapphires and melting with love. Again his heart leaped wildly and sent the hot blood surging through his veins. All the Oriental in his nature was aroused. But it held control only for a moment. Over the graceful head of the maiden he caught sight of his foster-brother's face, clouded with doubt and bewilderment. One glance was enough to sober the viking. Not even youth and Eastern blood could withstand the Northern loyalty. Olvir tore his gaze from the spell of the sapphire eyes and stared out across the silver-laden table, his face stern almost to fierceness.
Fastrada, her blushes fast paling, watched him from beneath lowered lashes with a startled look. Roland also watched him, his blue eyes still troubled. Presently a change lit up the Northman's face. He turned about, with a frank smile for Roland, and met Fastrada's glance with a look of calm resolve.
"Drink with me, maiden," he said. "I pledge one who is the truest friend, the boldest hero in all Frank Land."