A band of chosen warriors set out without delay and, reaching the Court of King Bele’s sons, made known their errand. Three days they waited for an answer, while Helge, instead of taking wise counsel on the matter, offered up horses and falcons on the sacrificial stone and searched the entrails to discover the will of the gods. But on the fourth day, Ring’s messengers demanded an answer; whereupon Helge, deluded by the signs he had perceived, curtly rejected the monarch’s suit and the giddy Halfdan added jestingly: “’Tis pity our feastings must have an end! Had King Graybeard but come hither with you, truly I myself would now have aided him to mount his horse!” Suppressing their wrath, the envoys returned to their master with King Helge’s answer; nor did they fail to relate the affront that had been offered them by Halfdan. “An evil hour shall it be for them, that sees King Graybeard on their shores!” cried Ring, as he smote the great war-shield that hung upon a linden tree in the castle courtyard. Swift throughout the land sped the summons to war, and soon a host of warriors had assembled. The haven was filled with dragon ships, and countless helm-plumes nodded in the breeze. When the message of war reached King Helge, he was seized with fear, and hastily despatched his sister Ingeborg to Balder’s temple, which was held sacred all over the Northland. None had ever dared to violate this sanctuary, and there he deemed her safe from King Ring and his warriors. Chapter VII Frithiof at Chess Frithiof was sitting with Björn in his hall at Framnäs before a splendid chessboard, the squares of which were alternate gold and silver, when Hilding entered. Greeting the old man kindly, Frithiof led him to the high-seat and bade him refresh himself with a horn of mead till he and his adroit adversary should have finished their match. But without waiting, Hilding began: “I come on behalf of the two princes, Helge and Halfdan, to pray you to make peace with them. King Ring has declared war and they fear for the kingdom.” “Take heed, Björn,” cried Frithiof, “thy King is in danger! A pawn, indeed, may save him; pawns are lightly sacrificed!” Hilding, who well understood the double meaning of these words, continued: “Let not thine anger master thee, my son! Against King Ring the princes may be weak; against thy single arm ’twere otherwise.” Frithiof smiled. “So thou dost threaten my castle, Björn!” he said. “But rest thee assured it will be well guarded.” “In Balder’s Grove,” began Hilding once more, “Ingeborg doth weep the whole day long. Will not even her prayers move thee?” “Ha! Björn, wouldst thou attack the Queen, dearer to me than life from childhood’s hour? The most precious piece in all the game is she, and her I will save, cost what it may!” “Wilt thou give me no answer, nor yet end thy game?” asked Hilding, indignantly.