Then some of our house-caries said in a low tone to Owen: "Better
to die with the master. Let us out and fall on them."

But he said: "This is for the boy's sake. Let me be, my brothers; I
have the thane's word to carry out."

Then they knew that he was right, but they bade him make Erpwald
swear to keep faith with them all.

So he spoke again with the priest, asking for honest pledges in
return for his own oath. Whereon from across the courtyard, where a
few wounded men lay--a voice weak with pain cried, with a strange
laugh:

"Get him the holy ring, that he may be well bound. It hangs yonder
where I put it, in the gateside timbers."

Erpwald glowered into the darkness, but he could see nothing of the
man who had spoken. But one of his men had seen the spear cast, and
knew what was meant, though the fight had set it out of his mind.
So he ran, and found the shaft easily in the darkness, and took the
ring from it, bringing it back to Erpwald.

"It is luck," he said. "Spear and ring alike have marked the place
for Woden."

"Hold your peace, fool," snarled Erpwald, with a sharp look at
Owen.

And at that Stuf laughed again, unheeded.