About this story
Before the host departs you slip into the beech wood to Wood-Sun, who has foreseen your death in the coming battle and gives you a grey dwarf-made mail that she swears will keep you alive if you obey and return. You wear it home unexplained, and Hall-Sun demands to know what it is before the war-band marches.
How it opens
The Wolfing roof faced its fields and river with the wild wood at its back.
Hall-SunOur green lamp has burned through peace and battle without leaving the kindred dark.
You had led the Markmen in forty fights and returned from all but four with victory.
Wolfing ElderThe southern cities have been quiet too long for comfort.
Give him room, drink, and breath before we demand the tidings.
Elf of the HartingsI may not drink until the split shaft has crossed every house of the Mark.