‘If you will not do it I will,’ said she. And she called the twelve foster brothers and made them vow fealty to herself. So Manus was left with no man, and sorrowful was he when he returned alone to Old Bergen. It was late when his foot touched the shore, and took the path towards the forest. On his way there he met him a man in a red tunic.
‘Is it you, Manus, come back again?’ asked he.
‘It is I,’ answered Manus; ‘alone have I returned from the land of Lochlann.’
The man eyed him silently for a moment, and then he said:
‘I dreamed that you were girt with a sword and became king of Lochlann.’ But Manus answered:
‘I have no sword and my bow is broken.’
‘I will give you a new sword if you will make me a promise,’ said the man once more.
‘To be sure I will make it, if ever I am king,’ answered Manus. ‘But speak, and tell me what promise I am to make!’
‘I was your grandfather’s armourer,’ replied the man, ‘and I wish to be your armourer also.’