And Morven, passing through the forest one evening, saw the younger of the two, who was a great hunter, sitting mournfully under an oak, and looking with musing eyes upon the ground.
"Wherefore musest thou, O swift-footed Siror ?" said the son of Osslah; "and wherefore art thou sad ?" "Thou canst not assist me," answered the prince, sternly; "take thy way." "Nay," answered Morven, "thou knowest not what thou sayest; am I not the favourite of the stars ?" "Away, I am no graybeard whom the approach of death makes doting: talk not to me of the stars; I know only the things that my eye sees and my ear drinks in." "Hush," said Morven, solemnly, and covering his face; "hush! lest the heavens avenge thy rashness.

But, behold, the stars have given unto me to pierce the secret hearts of others; and I can tell thee the thoughts of thine." "Speak out, base-born!" "Thou art the younger of two, and thy name is less known in war than the name of thy brother: yet wouldst thou desire to be set over his head, and to sit on the high seat of thy father ?" The young man turned pale.

"Thou hast truth in thy lips," said he, with a faltering voice.
"Not from me, but from the stars, descends the truth." "Can the stars grant my wish ?" "They can: let us meet to-morrow." Thus saying, Morven passed into the forest.
The next day, at noon, they met again.
"I have consulted the gods of night, and they have given me the power that I prayed for, but on one condition." "Name it." "That thou sacrifice thy sister on their altars; thou must build up a heap of stones, and take thy sister into the wood, and lay her on the pile, and plunge thy sword into her heart; so only shalt thou reign." The prince shuddered, and started to his feet, and shook his spear at the pale front of Morven.
"Tremble," said the son of Osslah, with a loud voice.

"Hark to the gods who threaten thee with death, that thou hast dared to lift thine arm against their servant!" As he spoke, the thunder rolled above; for one of the frequent storms of the early summer was about to break.

The spear dropped from the prince's hand; he sat down, and cast his eyes on the ground.
"Wilt thou do the bidding of the stars, and reign ?" said Morven.
"I will!" cried Siror, with a desperate voice.
"This evening, then, when the sun sets, thou wilt lead her hither, alone; I may not attend thee.