Then, as soon as words came, he turned to the company and said—
“You hear what this knave says?”
“Yes, we hear,” cried some, “and we rejoice that Sigurd’s day has come at last. Long live King Sigurd!”
Then Sigurd struck the table with his fist as he started to his feet and glared at the rash companions.
“Villains!” he shouted, with a voice that made the room itself tremble. “Yes, Sigurd’s day has come—the day for teaching cowards like you the duty of a knight and a brother. Ulf, at his bridal, unarmed, slain by traitors’ hands. Is that the chivalry ye praise? If so, begone from my sight and reach of this arm! But ’tis no time for talk. Without there, my arms! and saddle my horse!”
“What means this!” cried all. “Where go you, Sigurd?”
“I go to my brother,” he said.
“Your brother! Ulf is eight days’ sail from here!”
“’Tis but five days across the forest,” said the hero.
At this the ladies shrieked, and all looked on Sigurd as a man that is mad.