XXXIV
THE MARTYR’S CROWN
While the peasants and the followers of King Olaf were combating outside the temple at More, Maidoch was standing in terror a little space apart, in a sheltered grove of fir trees. She had become separated from the Lady Aastrid and she dreaded to go near the angry Norsemen to find her. Not far from Maidoch, Father Meilge was watching the combat. His look was full of horror and compassion.
As Earl Ironbeard fell in death, Thore Klakka came running to the grove. His knife was open in his hand. His eyes were blazing and the white foam of passion was gathered on his lips. As he caught sight of Father Meilge, his fury increased. “Curses on ye, one and all,” he screamed in frenzy. “Curses on your hound of a king, and on ye, miserable hounds, ye priests of the Nazarene. I curse ye, and I curse your Christ!”
“Silence!” Father Meilge turned to the raging man. “Speak not such blasphemies! Blessed be Christ forever, upon earth and in heaven!”
For answer Thore drove the knife into the priest’s heart, and Father Meilge fell at the Norseman’s feet.
Maidoch’s horror broke out into a scream, and forgetting her fear, she came swiftly to Father Meilge’s
