"My lord," said Thorolf, "much do I commend and admire you for what you have done in protecting your islanders. That protection, I do assure you, was much needed, for had your people remained in their homes not one of them would now have been alive. But I swear that they are henceforth safe from all further peril. And now, for my own curiosity alone, I would ask you how it happened that you were so timely warned of the danger that threatened you, my lord?"
Kenric told how William MacAlpin had come to Bute, and how he himself had spied upon the council of King Hakon in Gigha.
"Ah, then, 'twas you who slew the young son of John of Islay?" cried Thorolf, though not in anger. "The lad was found dead on the very rock you speak of."
"Not so," said Kenric; "I slew him not. And 'tis now for the first time I hear that he is dead."
"But you had companions?"
"A girl was indeed with me. But -- ah, surely Aasta cannot have done this thing?"
"Aasta? That is a Norse name. Well, 'tis no business of mine," said the captain; "and now will I return to Rothesay well content that your people have received no greater injuries than they now suffer at the hands of my friends your enemies. Give you goodnight, my lord."
"By my faith, a right honest man!" said Kenric as Thorolf rode away.
"And a good Christian, if I mistake not," said the abbot, who had heard the conversation.
"Ay, and a gallant soldier to boot," added Allan Redmain. "But for his turning upon those ruffians, methinks it would have gone ill with Kenric and my sister Ailsa."