The castellan, attended by many warriors, had come down to the shore, respectfully greeting their master and his guest, with the young Sir Kolbein; while, at the same time, they welcomed back, with less ceremony, their own equals and brethren in arms. For the latter, they had brought led horses along with them; and in a short time a large party were mounted, and galloped gayly up the steep ascent towards the castle. In half an hour, they had arrived at the long echoing archway, through which they trotted into a large court, now brightly illumined with torches. Here, on one side, was visible the wide entrance of a spacious vault, in which a great fire of turf was now blazing; and from hence a tall man, black as a Moor, made his appearance; and, notwithstanding his strange looks, stepped up with knightly dignity and assurance, offering his hand to Sir Arinbiorn. The latter took it without hesitation, saying, at the same time, “Good morrow, Asmandur, noblest of armourers! say how many weapons and cuirasses hast thou completed while we have been absent?” “Methinks I have prepared death for many of thy foes,” replied Asmandur, nodding his head with an air of confidence. “I have brought here a friend of mine who requires thine aid,” said the sea-monarch, pointing to Sir Otto. “The sword which now hangs at his side has been broken by a blow of my battle-axe, and methinks it could by means of thy art be joined together again, and made better than ever.” “Ay, ay, if it be worth that labour,” said the armourer; “for doubtless I could as easily make a new one. Let me look once at the sword.” Otto drew out one-half, and shaking his head mournfully, let the other fall from the scabbard. The armourer looked at both with attention, and then said, “If the wearer be like to his sword, then both together will scarcely find their equals in this world. Truly I might have known that he who is Sir Arinbiorn’s guest, and to whom, as I perceive, a battle-axe of my workmanship has been intrusted, was doubtless a brave and noble champion. Yet because it is not for every one that I am willing to exercise my art, nor do I work at all but for the best and most victorious knights; so, methinks, I would wish to see some trial of his skill in the first place.” “On that head, Asmandur,” answered Sir Arinbiorn, “I can pledge my word that he shall afford thee ample satisfaction. Yet surely thou wilt allow, that he should first have time to recover from the fatigues of his voyage on our wild north seas.” The armourer nodded his head in token of assent, and was about to retire into his vaulted hall; but Sir Otto called aloud, “Wherefore should I first have time to rest?--he were indeed a pitiful combatant, who, by means of a short sea-voyage, should lose all his strength! Come on then. The morning is already so light, that the torches are needless. Whosoever is inclined for warlike pastime, let him know that I am ready to give him satisfaction.”