Alfaleith.org

First Wolf was in great affliction. When he went to his old bench comrades, who stood in a close crowd before the house of the wounded man, they gave him hostile looks, turning their backs on him.

Agino said: "He who has stood in a passage of arms against our comrade is separated from our bench; and if I may give thee good advice for the last time, it is to avoid our neighborhood, that cold iron may not pay thee for thy treason."

"You acted shamefully to our guest," retorted Wolf, vehemently. "I have behaved myself honorably, according to my oath, which you all then extolled: how could I forsake my master in his danger amidst water and heather?"

"If thou wast his companion in the danger," replied the others, "hide thyself in his chamber, and drink among his strangers the mead that he gives thee; for hated is thy name among us, and thy memory shall be blotted out from our circle."

Hildebrand also approached him, and began solemnly, "Since thou wast a boy I have known thee, and would gladly give thee good advice if I could; but it is an old saying, 'Where the master leads, the man falls to the ground.' Even if our Prince Answald is kindly disposed toward thee, he can not defend thee against the anger of the household. Perhaps I may persuade him to give thee freedom from thy household oath; then thou mayest wander with thy sword, and seek thy safety in foreign countries."

Wolf stepped aside against the wall of the court, and concealed his glowing face from the looks of his comrades.

"Is thy traveling-baggage so heavy that thou weepest like a child, fearing to travel?" said a woman's voice near him.

Wolf answered bitterly: "That thou also mockest me, Frida, is worse than all else; for on thy account I was happy in the service of the House."

"There are other houses than this, which lie far away on the traveling-path of the hero, where a warrior wins more easily the favor of the master, and perhaps also house and land to enable him to marry. I care not for a bench of heroes where a woman commands."

"Thou advisest me to go," answered Wolf, in great astonishment, "and thou thyself remainest here!"

"I am born for the distaff, and I must tarry till a man lifts me on his horse, and carries me to his house. But a household appears to me contemptible which first receives a guest with open arms, and is then frightened at his presence. Mount, and trot courageously over the heather, and seek a truer lord."

"Thou hast seldom been friendly to me, Frida; yet I feel it hard to leave thee behind among the boys of the Manor," replied the honest Wolf.

"Perhaps I also may some time escape from the house," answered Frida, boldly. "If I have sometimes been hard with thee, my little wolf, yet know that I hate the churls here, since they have denied thee comradeship."

She looked at him kindly, and disappeared, and Wolf walked back comforted to the residence of the guests.

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>