When Thiodolf first came into that ring of men they looked doubtfully at him, as if they dreaded somewhat, but when they had well beheld him their faces cleared, and they became joyous.

He went straight up to Arinbiorn and kissed the old warrior, and said to him, “I give thee good morrow, O leader of the Bearings!  Here now is come the War-duke! and meseems that we should get to work as speedily as may be, for lo the dawning!”

“Hail to thine hand, War-duke!” said Arinbiorn joyously; “there is no more to do but to take thy word concerning the order wherein we shall wend; for all men are armed and ready.”

Said Thiodolf; “Lo ye, I lack war-gear and weapons!  Is there a good sword hereby, a helm, a byrny and a shield?  For hard will be the battle, and we must fence ourselves all we may.”

“Hard by,” said Arinbiorn, “is the war-gear of Ivar of our House, who is dead in the night of his hurts gotten in yesterday’s battle:  thou and he are alike in stature, and with a good will doth he give them to thee, and they are goodly things, for he comes of smithying blood.  Yet is it a pity of Throng-plough that he lieth on the field of the slain.”

But Thiodolf smiled and said:  “Nay, Ivar’s blade shall serve my turn to-day; and thereafter shall it be seen to, for then will be time for many things.”

So they went to fetch him the weapons; but he said to Arinbiorn, “Hast thou numbered the host?  What are the gleanings of the Roman sword?”

Said Arinbiorn:  “Here have we more than three thousand three hundred warriors of the host fit for battle:  and besides this here are gathered eighteen hundred of the Wolfings and the Bearings, and of the other Houses, mostly from over the water, and of these nigh upon seven hundred may bear sword or shoot shaft; neither shall ye hinder them from so doing if the battle be joined.”

Then said Thiodolf:  “We shall order us into three battles; the Wolfings and the Bearings to lead the first, for this is our business; but others of the smaller Houses this side the water to be with us; and the Elkings and Galtings and the other Houses of the Mid-mark on the further side of the water to be in the second, and with them the more part of the Nether-mark; but the men of Up-mark to be in the third, and the stay-at-homes to follow on with them:  and this third battle to let the wood cover them till they be needed, which may not be till the day of fight draws to an end, when all shall be needed:  for no Roman man must be left alive or untaken by this even, or else must we all go to the Gods together.  Hearken, Arinbiorn.  I am not called fore-sighted, and yet meseems I see somewhat how this day shall go; and it is not to be hidden that I shall not see another battle until the last of all battles is at hand.  But be of good cheer, for I shall not die till the end of the fight, and once more I shall be a man’s help unto you.  Now the first of the Romans we meet shall not be able to stand before