He was full ten inches taller than Kenric of Bute,
and the muscles of his broad bare chest were as the roots of a tree that
rise above the ground; as the nether boughs of the fir tree were his
strong and hairy arms. Little cause did he see to shrink from combat
with the youth who thus challenged him.
Their weapons crossed and clashed. It seemed to Kenric that his sword
urged him with a force that he could not disobey. He made a few quick
passes, then with the full strength in his arms and his supple body he
smote his antagonist a terrible blow upon the head, cutting down even to
the collarbone. Then Dornoch fell to the ground and moved no more.
The Gallwegians, seeing the fire that was in Kenric's eyes and
marvelling at his skill and strength, shrank back amazed and cowed.
"Now let one of you fail to obey me and I will serve him as I have
served your captain," cried Kenric with stern menace. "Back to your
galleys with you this instant!"
And the men slunk off, crestfallen and dismayed.
"Right well have you served that hound, my lord," said Duncan, "for he
was indeed a very brute. Fear not that his curs will now disobey you,
and trust in our faithful men of Bute, who will give their lives ere any
further wrong be done. And now methinks 'twere well that we hastened to
the priory, for when we came into the crowd I heard some of these
scoundrels speak of the plunder some of their band are seeking in that
holy place.
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