Sholto's sword was raised threateningly in his hand, but Sybilla saw another blade gleam bright in the morning sun ere it fell to rise again dimmed and red.

Therefore she checked not her steed, nor turned aside, till Sholto laid his fingers upon her bridle-rein and leaped quickly to the ground, sword in hand, leaving his own beast to wander where it would.
"What do you here ?" he cried.

"Where is my master?
What have they done to him?
I bid you tell me on your life!" Sholto's voice had no chivalrous courtesy in it now.

The time for that had gone by.

He lowered his sword point and there was tense iron in the muscles of his arm.