When Valgard, who, of course, is a changeling, not really Ketil's brother, approaches the house where he will kill Ketil:
"A thin wind-driven sleet stung his cheeks." (p. 44)
The wind becomes fiercer as the action intensifies.
Ketil's younger brother, Asmund, finds Ketil's body under a cairn:
"'...with naught but wind and the stars for company.'" (p. 48)
- and with Valgard's axe in its head.
Asmund returns to the hall with the body, thus provoking a fight in which Valgard kills Orm, Asmund and several others and escapes into the woods.
The witch's vengeance seems to be complete but what happens next? I do not remember despite several previous readings (!) and, as frequently happens, I have to go out before possibly reading and posting more later this evening.
Life is good, especially with Poul Anderson in it.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
The witch's vengeance was not complete because Orm's daughters still lived, and her hatred extended to them as well.
Ad astra! Sean
Yeah. Revenge is rarely complete!
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
And that's a bad way for the witch to live--desiring only hatred and revenge. But I have to admit, understandable for her.
Ad astra! Sean
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