"No; the Prefect is mine!" said Teja. "Thou, Totila, hast the first right to his life," said Hildebrand, "for thou hast a brother to revenge." "My brother Hildebad!" cried Totila. "What of him?" "He has been shamefully murdered by the Prefect," said Thorismuth, "before my very eyes, and I could not prevent it." "My strong Hildebad dead!" exclaimed Totila. "Speak!" "The hero lay with us in the Castle of Castra Nova, near Mantua," related Thorismuth. "The report of the King's treacherous death had reached us. Hildebad challenged Belisarius and Cethegus to mortal combat. Presently a herald arrived, who said that Belisarius had accepted the challenge, and expected thy brother on the plain between our walls and their camp. Thy brother set forth rejoicing; we horsemen followed. And verily, there rode out of a tent, in his golden armour, with closed helm and white plume, with his round shield--well known to us all--the hero, Belisarius. Only twelve horsemen followed him; foremost of all, Cethegus the Prefect. The other Byzantines halted just outside the camp. Hildebad ordered me to follow him with an equal number of horsemen. The two combatants greeted each other with their spears; the trumpets sounded, and Hildebad rushed at his enemy. The next moment the latter lay upon the ground, pierced through and through. Thy brother, unhurt, dismounted, crying: 'That was no thrust from Belisarius!' and opened the visor of the dying man. 'Bessas!' cried Hildebad, and looked, furious at the deception, towards his enemies. Then the Prefect gave a sign. The twelve Moorish horsemen hurled their spears, and, severely hit, thy brother fell." Totila covered his face. Teja went sympathisingly up to him. "Listen to the end," said Thorismuth. "When we saw this murder, we were filled with fury. We threw ourselves upon the enemy, who, trusting that we should be discouraged, pressed forward from the camp. After a hot fight, we compelled them to fly. Only the speed of his devilish horse saved the Prefect, who was wounded in the shoulder by my spear. Thy brother lived to see our victory. He caused the chest which he had brought from Ravenna to be carried down to the Castle; opened it, and said to me: 'Crown, shield, and sword of Theodoric. Take them to my brother.' And with his last breath he cried: 'He must revenge me and renew our kingdom. Tell him--that I loved him very dearly!' Then he sank back upon his shield, and his faithful soul departed." "My brother! Oh, my beloved brother!" cried Totila, leaning against a pillar. Tears flowed from his eyes. There was a moment of reverent silence. Then: "Remember thine oath!" cried Hildebrand. "He was doubly thy brother! Thou wilt revenge him!" "Yes," said Totila, and involuntarily he drew the sword--which Teja handed to him--from its sheath. "I will revenge him!" It was the sword of Theodoric.