Opening, part 15 · page 21 2101The queen looked from her window and beheld him mounting the hill, with the twelve foster brothers behind him.102Then she said to her husband: 'Manus has returned with his twelve foster brothers.103Would that I could put an end to him and his murdering and his slaying.'104'That were a great pity,' answered Iarlaid. '105And it is not I that will do it.'106'If you will not do it I will,' said she.107And she called the twelve foster brothers and made them vow fealty to herself.108So Manus was left with no man, and sorrowful was he when he returned alone to Old Bergen.109It was late when his foot touched the shore, and took the path towards the forest.110On his way there met him a man in a red tunic.111'Is it you, Manus, come back again?' asked he.112'It is I,' answered Manus; 'alone have I returned from the land of Lochlann.'113The man eyed him silently for a moment, and then he said:114'I dreamed that you were girt with a sword and became king of Lochlann.'115But Manus answered:116'I have no sword and my bow is broken.'117'I will give you a new sword if you will make me a promise,' said the man once more.118'To be sure I will make it, if ever I am king,' answered Manus. '119But speak, and tell me what promise I am to make.'120'I was your grandfather's armourer,' replied the man, 'and I wish to be your armourer also.'121'That I will promise readily,' said Manus; and followed the man into his house, which was at a little distance.122But the house was not like other houses, for the walls of every room were hung so thick with arms that you could not see the boards.123'Choose what you will,' said the man; and Manus unhooked a sword and tried it across his knee, and it broke, and so did the next, and the next.124'Leave off breaking the swords,' cried the man, 'and look at this old sword and helmet and tunic that I wore in the wars of your grandfather.125Perhaps you may find them of stouter steel.'126And Manus bent the sword thrice across his knee but he could not break it.127So he girded it to his side, and put on the old helmet.128As he fastened the strap his eye fell on a cloth flapping outside the window.1 2← previousOpening, part 14next →Opening, part 16↑ back to The Orange Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3027/15/page/2/