XIV. It happened one morning at sunrise that as Hervˆr was standing on the summit of a tower over the gate of the fortress, she looked southwards towards the forest, and saw clouds of dust arising from a great body of horse, by which the sun was hidden for a long time. Next she saw a gleam beneath the dust, as though she were gazing on a mass of gold--fair shields overlaid with gold, gilded helmets and white corslets. Then she perceived that it was the Hunnish host coming on in vast numbers. She descended hastily and called her trumpeter, and bade him sound the assembly. Then said Hervˆr: "Take your weapons and arm for battle; and do thou, Ormar, ride against the Huns and offer them battle before the Southern Gate." Ormar replied: "I will certainly take my shield and ride with the companies of the Goths. I will challenge the Huns and offer them battle before the Southern Gate." Then Ormar rode out of the fortress against the Huns. He called loudly bidding them ride up to the fort, saying: "Outside the gate of the fortress, in the plains to the south--there will I offer you battle. Let those who arrive first await their foes!" Then Ormar rode back to the fortress, and found Hervˆr and all her host armed and ready. They rode forthwith out of the fort with all their host against the Huns, and a great battle began between them. But the Hunnish host was far superior in numbers, so that Hervˆr's troops began to suffer heavy losses; and in the end Hervˆr fell, and a great part of her army round about her. And when Ormar saw her fall, he fled with all those who still survived. Ormar rode day and night as fast as he could to King Angantyr in Arheimar. The Huns then proceeded to ravage and burn throughout the land. And when Ormar came into the presence of King Angantyr, he cried: From the south have I journeyed hither To bear these tidings to thee:-- The whole of the forest of Myrkvith Is burnt up utterly; And the land of the Goths is drenched with blood As our warriors fall and die. Then he continued: All of thy noblest warriors On the field are lying dead. King Heithrek's daughter fell by the sword; She drooped and bowed her head. Thy sister Hervˆr is now no more.-- By the Huns was her life-blood shed. O prouder and lighter the maiden's step As she wielded spear and sword Than if she were sped to her trysting place, Or her seat at the bridal-board! When King Angantyr heard that, he drew back his lips, and it was some time before he spoke. Then he said: "In no brotherly wise hast thou been treated, my noble sister!" Then he surveyed his retinue, and his band of men was but small; then he cried: The Gothic warriors were many, As they sat and drank the mead; But now when many are called for, The array is poor indeed! Not a man in the host will adventure-- Though I offer a rich reward-- To take his shield, And ride to the field, To seek out the Hunnish horde.