“Open the window if you are able,” said Miach Lay.
The window had hinges, and she opened it in the middle; he stepped backward nine yards, and went in at one bound to the chamber.
“You are welcome,” said she, and soon she had dinner prepared for him. When he had eaten, she inquired who was he, from what place had he come, and what brought him that way.
He told her all that had happened to him from the first; and when he had finished, he said, “I know not where to find my brother.”
“You are not far from him now,” said she; “’tis in this country he is living, and the land he is in bounds our land.”
When they had talked long, she said, “You are tired and need rest, so sleep in this chamber.” She went then to her own place. The following morning his breakfast was ready before him; and after he had eaten, the young woman said, “I suppose you will be thankful if I tell you where to find the castle of the Dark King.”
“I shall, indeed,” said he. Then she gave him full directions how to go. He took his sword then, and sprang out as he had sprung in, in the evening, and went in the direction which she told him to take. About midday he met a man, who hailed him, and asked, “Who are you, and from what country?”
“’Tis not the custom for a man of my country to answer that question till told where he is, and to whom he is speaking.”
“I know who you are and whither you are going. You are going to the castle of the Dark King, and here he is before you; now show your daring.”
They made at each other; and if they did, they made soft ground hard and hard ground soft, they made high places low and low places high, they brought cold spring water through dry, gravelly places, and if any one were to come from the Eastern to the Western World, it is to look at these two he should come.