And as the struggle continued Aelward's heart warmed to his enemy.

When their swords crossed he had hated him like death; now he seemed to be striving with a kinsman.
Suddenly, when victory looked very near, he found the earth moving from beneath him, and a mountain descended on his skull.

When he blinked himself into consciousness again, Jehan was laving his head from a pool in an oak-root.
"I will teach you that throw some day, friend," he was saying.

"Had I not known the trick of it, you had mauled me sadly.

I had liefer grapple with a bear." Aelward moistened his lips.