[Listening.] Hush!
I hear the tramp of hoofs in the court-yard.
SIGNE.
[Apprehensively.] Strangers have arrived.
[A HOUSE-CARL appears in the doorway at the back.
HOUSE-CARL.
The King's men are without. They seek Gudmund Alfson.
SIGNE.
Oh God!
MARGIT.
[In great alarm.] The King's men!
GUDMUND.
All is at an end, then. Oh Signe, to lose you now--could there
be a harder fate?
KNUT.
Nay, Gudmund; sell your life dearly, man! Unbind us; we are
ready to fight for you, one and all.
ERIK.
[Looks out.] 'Twould be in vain; they are too many for us.
SIGNE.
Here they come. Oh Gudmund, Gudmund!
[The KING's MESSENGER enters from the back, with his escort.
MESSENGER.
In the King's name I seek you, Gudmund Alfson, and bring you
his behests.
GUDMUND.
Be it so. Yet am I guiltless; I swear it by all that is holy!
MESSENGER.
We know it.
GUDMUND.
What say you?
[Agitation amongst those present.
MESSENGER.
I am ordered to bid you as a guest to the King's house. His
friendship is yours as it was before, and along with it he bestows
on you rich fiefs.
GUDMUND.
Signe!
SIGNE.
Gudmund!
GUDMUND.
But tell me--?
MESSENGER.
Your enemy, the Chancellor Audun Hugleikson, has fallen.
GUDMUND.
The Chancellor!
GUESTS.
[To each other, in half-whisper.
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