"To share his fate, you mean. Know you into whose hands you have fallen?"

"Yes; into those of my cousin Ragnar."

"Then you know what mercy to expect."

"I came prepared to share my brother's fate."

"And you shall share it. It must be the hand of fate which has placed
you both in my power, me, the representative of the rightful lord of
Aescendune, dispossessed by your father, and being myself the legitimate
heir."

"We do not dispute your title; give my brother his life and liberty, and
take all; we have never injured you."

"All would be nothing without vengeance; you appeal in vain to me. Did I
wish to spare you I could not; an oath, a fearful oath, binds me, taken
to one from whom I derived life, one whose death was far more agonising
and lingering than yours shall be."

"Let us at least die together."

"Do you scorn the company of your thrall in death?"

"God forbid!

"Oswy, you have given your life for us; we die in company. God protect
my poor mother, my poor childless mother! She will be alone!"