Theign of Ethos

In the white halls of Ethos all was not well, for Hádorthanc, mightiest amongst all the servants of Ethos, had been gone from the white halls far longer than the time appointed him by the council of Ethos, and had betrayed Ethos.

Now all the counsel of Ethos stood, and Ethos stood in the midst of them, saying, "A great time has passed, and Hádorthanc has chosen to remain in the middle-yard longer than I deemed fit, and it has come into my knowledge that he has even gone so far as to betray me, for, seeing mortals in all the frailty, he has risen up in pride against me, seeking to overtake me in might and lift himself up as lord of the White Halls. What do you say I should do?"

All of the Council of Ethos considered this, and finally one, an elder of them, being called Gamolthegn, arose and said, "Lord, it seems fit to me that some of us pursue him, and that we bring him to you, that you might judge his deeds before us all."

"It is well said," said Ethos, "but whom shall I send?"

Gamolthegn considered for a moment, then said, "I will go as one of them."

Ethos, smiling, said, "That also is well said, but who else? For Hádorthanc is the craftiest and mightiest among you, and Gamolthegn cannot overcome him alone."

Now the servants of Ethos considered again, and two more stood willingly, one being Gamolthegn's brother, called by Ethos Léohtcild, and the other being called Gármann the Holy, for he was mighty with a spear.

Ethos surveyed all these, but not being satisfied he asked for one more, saying, "There need be but one more, for Hádorthanc will have met his match in might in these, but his cunning is greater still than these, thought they be working together."

A great length of time passed, for Hádorthanc was mighty among the servants of Ethos, and many feared him.

Finally Brùn, second in cunning among the servants of Ethos, stood, saying, "See, brethren, why did we not all stand in willingness for the first? For what have we to fear from Hádorthanc, Ethos being mightier even than he. I myself shall go with these, for I see it is I whom you want to go, Lord."

"You are wise indeed, and your cunning rivals even that of Hádorthanc. Go, then, you four, and join battle with Hádorthanc, but be aware! For when you first go to the middle-yard, your thought shall be clouded, and your true power will not be obvious to you until you join battle with Hádorthanc, for if you four came in your full might to middle-yard, then word of your might would spread far, and Hádorthanc would be ready for your comming, and you would have far less hope of overcoming him. Know also that Hádorthanc will try to deceive you, for even now his heart has been turned completely against me in his pride."