"It is so, lord," said Hall.
"Thou liest, fox!" cried Swanhild, white with wrath and casting a fiercelook upon Hall. But men took no heed of Swanhild's words, for all eyeswere bent on Eric.
"Is it now your pleasure, comrades, that I should tell you the truth?"said Brighteyes.
The most part of the company shouted "Yea!" but the men of Ospakar stoodsilent.
"Speak on, Eric," quoth Gudruda.
"This is the truth, then: Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli's wife, hasalways sought my love, and she has ever hated Gudruda whom I loved. Froma child she has striven to work mischief between us. Ay, and she didthis, though till now it has been hidden: she strove to murder Gudruda;it was on the day that Skallagrim and I overcame Ospakar and his bandon Horse-Head Heights. She thrust Gudruda from the brink of Golden Fallswhile she sat looking on the waters, and as she hung there I dragged herback. Is it not so, Gudruda?"
"It is so," said Gudruda.
Now men murmured and looked at Swanhild. But she shrank back, pluckingat her purple cloak.
"It was for this cause," said Eric, "that Asmund, Swanhild's father,gave her choice to wed Atli the Earl and pass over sea or to take hertrial in the Doom-Ring. She wedded Atli and went away. Afterwards, bywitchcraft, she brought my ship to wreck on Straumey's Isle--ay, shewalked the waters like a shape of light and lured us on to ruin, sothat all were drowned except Skallagrim and myself. Is it not so,Skallagrim?"
"It is so, lord. I saw her with my eyes."
Again folk murmured.
"Then we must sit in Atli's hall," said Eric, "and there we dwelt lastwinter. For a while Swanhild did no harm, till I feared her no more.But some three months ago, I was left with her: and a man called Koll,Groa's thrall, of whom ye know, came out from Iceland, bringing newsof the death of Asmund the priest, of Unna my cousin, and of Groa thewitch. To these ill-tidings Swanhild bribed him to add something. Shebribed him to add this: that thou, Gudruda, wast betrothed to Ospakar,and wouldst wed him on last Yule Day. Moreover, he gave me a certainmessage from thee, Gudruda, and, in token of its truth, the half of thatcoin which I broke with thee long years ago. Say now, lady, didst thousend the coin?"
"Nay, never!" cried Gudruda; "many years ago I lost the half thou gavestme, though I feared to tell thee."
"Perchance one stands there who found it," said Eric, pointing with hisspear at Swanhild. "At the least I was deceived by it. Now the tale isshort. Swanhild mourned with me, and in my sorrow I mourned bitterly.Then it was she asked a boon, that lock of mine, Gudruda, and, thinkingthee faithless, I gave it, holding all oaths broken. Then too, whenI would have left her, she drugged me with a witch-draught--ay, shedrugged me, and I woke to find myself false to my oath, false to Atli,and false to thee, Gudruda. I cursed her and I left her, waiting forthe Earl, to tell him all. But Swanhild outwitted me. She told himthat other tale of shame that ye have heard, and brought Koll to him aswitness of the tale. Atli was deceived by her, and not until I had cuthim down in anger at the bitter words he spoke, calling me coward andniddering, did he know the truth. But before he died he knew it; andhe died, holding my hand and bidding those about him find Koll and slayhim. Is it not so, ye who were Atli's men?"
"It is so, Eric!" they cried; "we heard it with our own ears, and weslew Koll. But afterwards Swanhild brought is to believe that Earl Atliwas distraught when he spoke thus, and that things were indeed as shehad said."
Again men murmured, and a strange light shone in Gudruda's eyes.
"Now, Gudruda, thou hast heard all my story," said Eric. "Say, dost thoubelieve me?"
"I believe thee, Eric."
"Say then, wilt thou still wed yon Ospakar?"
Gudruda looked on Blacktooth, then she looked at golden Eric and openedher lips to speak. But before a word could pass them Ospakar rose inwrath, laying his hand upon his sword.
"Thinkest thou thus to lure away my dove, outlaw? First I will see theefood for crows."
"Well spoken, Blacktooth," laughed Eric. "I waited for such words fromthee. Thrice have we striven together--once out yonder in the snow, onceon Horse-Head Heights, and once by Westman Isles--and still we liveto tell the tale. Come down, Ospakar: come down from that soft seat ofthine and here and now let us put it to the proof who is the better man.When we met before, the stake was Whitefire set against my eye. Now thestake is our lives and fair Gudruda's hand. Talk no more, Ospakar, butfall to it."
"Gudruda shall never wed thee, while I live!" said Bjoern; "thou art alandless loon, a brawler, and an outlaw. Get thee gone, Eric, with thywolf-hound!"
"Squeak not so loud, rat--squeak not so loud, lest hound's fang worrythee!" said Skallagrim.
"Whether I wed Gudruda or whether I wed her not is a matter that shallbe known in its season," said Eric. "For thy words, I say this: that itis risky to hurl names at such as I am, Bjoern, lest perchance I answerthem with spear-thrusts. Thy answer, Ospakar! What need to wait? Thyanswer!"
Now Ospakar looked at Brighteyes and grew afraid. He was a mighty man,but he knew the weight of Eric's arm.
"I will not fight with thee, carle," he said, "who hast naught to lose."
"Then thou art coward and niddering!" said Eric. "Ospakar _Niddering_ Iname thee here before all men! What! thou couldst plot against me--thoucouldst waylay me, ten to one and two ships to one, but face to facewith me alone thou dost not dare to stand? Comrades, look on yourlord!--look at Ospakar the _Niddering!_"
Now the swarthy brow of Blacktooth grew red with rage, and his breathcame in great gasps. "Ho, men!" he cried, "drive this knave away. Striphis harness off him and whip him hence with rods."
"Let but a man stir towards me and this spear flies through thy heart,Niddering," cried Eric. "Gudruda, what thinkest thou of thy lord?"
"I know this," said Gudruda, "that I will not wed a man who is named'Niddering' in the face of all and lifts no sword."
Gudruda spoke thus, because she was mad with love and fear and shame,and she desired that Eric should stand face to face with OspakarBlacktooth, for thus, alone, she might perhaps be rid of Ospakar.
"Such words do not come well from gentle lips," said Bjoern.
"Is it to be borne, brother," answered Gudruda, "that the man who wouldcall me wife should be named Ospakar the Niddering? When that shame iswashed away, and then only, can I think on marriage. I will never beNiddering's bride!"
"Thou hearest, Ospakar Niddering?" said Eric. Then he gave the spearin his hand to Skallagrim, and, gripping Whitefire's hilt, he burst thepeace-strings, and tore it from the scabbard.
Now the great sword shone on high like lightning leaping from a cloud,and as it shone men shouted, "_Ospakar! Ospakar Niddering!_ Come, winback Whitefire from Eric's hand, or be for ever shamed!"
Blacktooth could endure this no more. He snatched sword and shield, and,like a bear from a cave, like a wolf from his lair, rushed roaring fromhis seat. On he came, and the ground shook beneath his bulk.
"At last, Niddering!" cried Eric, and sprang to meet him.
"Back! all men, back!" shouted Skallagrim, "now we shall see blows."
As he spoke the great swords flashed aloft and clanged upon the ironshields. So heavy were the blows that fire leapt out from them. Ospakarreeled back beneath the shock, and Eric was beaten to his knee. Now hewas up, but as he rushed, Ospakar struck again and swept away half ofBrighteyen's pointed shield so that it fell upon the floor. Eric smotealso, but Ospakar dropped his knee to earth and the sword hissed overhim. Blacktooth cut at Eric's legs; but Brighteyes sprang from theground and took no harm.
Now some cried, "_Eric! Eric!_" and some cried "_Ospakar! Ospakar!_" forno one knew how the fight would go.
Gudruda sat watching in the high seat, and as blows fell her colour cameand went.
Swanhild drew near, watching also, and she desired in her fierce heartto see Eric brought to shame and death, for, should he win, then Gudrudawould be rid of Ospakar. Now by her side stood Gizur, Ospakar's son,and near to her was Bjoern. These two held th
eir breath, for, if Ericconquered, all their plans were brought to nothing.
Even as he sprang into the air, Eric smote down with all his strength.The blow fell on Ospakar's shield. It shore through the shield andstruck on the shoulder beneath. But Blacktooth's byrnie was good, nordid the sword bite into it. Still the stroke was so heavy that Ospakarstaggered back four paces beneath it, then fell upon the ground.
Now folk raised a shout of "_Eric! Eric!_" for it seemed that Ospakarwas sped. Brighteyes, too, cried aloud, then rushed forward. Now, as hecame, Swanhild whispered an eager word into the ear of Bjoern. By Bjoern'sfoot lay that half of Eric's shield which had been shorn away by thesword of Ospakar. Gudruda, watching, saw Bjoern push it with his shoe sothat it slid before the feet of Brighteyes. His right foot caught on it,he stumbled heavily--stumbled again, then fell prone on his face,and, as he fell, stretched out his sword hand to save himself, so thatWhitefire flew from his grasp. The blade struck its hilt against theground, then circled in the air and fixed itself, point downwards, inthe clay of the flooring. The hand of Ospakar rising from the groundsmote against the hilt of Whitefire. He saw it, with a shout he cast hisown sword away and clasped Whitefire.
Away circled the sword of Ospakar; and of that cast this strange thingis told, false or true. Far in the corner of the hall lurked Thorunna,she who had betrayed Skallagrim when he was named Ounound. She had comewith a heavy heart to Middalhof in the company of Ospakar; but when shesaw Skallagrim, her husband--whom she had betrayed, and who had turnedBaresark because of her wickedness--shame smote her, and she crept awayand hid herself behind the hangings of the hall. The sword sped alongpoint first, it rushed like a spear through the air. It fell on thehangings, piercing them, piercing the heart of Thorunna, who coweredbehind them, so that with one cry she sank dead to earth, slain by herlover's hand.
Now when men saw that Ospakar once more held Whitefire in hishand--Whitefire that Brighteyes had won from him--they called aloud thatit was an omen. The sword of Blacktooth had come back to Blacktooth andnow Eric would surely be slain of it!
Eric sprang from the ground. He heard the shouts and saw Whitefireblazing in Ospakar's hand.
"Now thou art weaponless, fly! Brighteyes; fly!" cried some.
Gudruda's cheek grew white with fear, and for a moment Eric's heartfailed him.
"Fly not!" roared Skallagrim. "Bjoern tripped thee. Yet hast thou half ashield!"
Ospakar rushed on, and Whitefire flickered over Eric's helm. Down itcame and shore one wing from the helm. Again it shone and fell, butBrighteyes caught the blow on his broken shield.
Then, while men waited to see him slain, Eric gave a great war-shout andsprang forward.
"Thou art mad!" shouted the folk.
"Ye shall see! Ye shall see!" screamed Skallagrim.
Again Ospakar smote and again Eric caught the blow; and behold! hestruck back, thrusting with the point of the shorn shield straight atthe face of Ospakar.
"_Peck! Eagle; peck!_" cried Skallagrim.
Once more Whitefire shone above him. Eric rushed in beneath thesword, and with all his mighty strength thrust the buckler-point atBlacktooth's face. It struck fair and full, and lo! the helm of Ospakarburst asunder. He threw wide his giant arms, then fell as a pine fallsupon the mountain edge. He fell back, and he lay still.
But Eric, stooping over him, took Whitefire from his hand.
XXV
HOW THE FEAST ENDED
For a moment there was silence in the hall, for men had known no suchfight as this.
"Why, then, do ye gape?" laughed Skallagrim, pointing with the spear."Dead is Ospakar!--slain by the swordless man! Eric Brighteyes hathslain Ospakar Blacktooth!"
Then there went up such a shout as never was heard in the hall ofMiddalhof.
Now when Gudruda knew that Ospakar was sped, she looked at Eric as herested, leaning on his sword, and her heart was filled with awe andlove. She sprang from her seat, and, coming to where Brighteyes stood,she greeted him.
"Welcome to Iceland, Eric!" she said. "Welcome, thou glory of thesouth!"
Now Swanhild grew wild, for she saw that Eric was about to take Gudrudain his arms and kiss her before all men.
"Say, Bjoern," she cried; "wilt thou suffer that this outlaw, havingslain Ospakar, should lead Gudruda hence as wife?"
"He shall never do so while I live," cried Bjoern, nearly mad with rage."This is my command, sister: that thou dost see Eric no more."
"Say, Bjoern," answered Gudruda, "did I dream, or did I indeed see theethrust the broken buckler before Eric's feet, so that he stumbled on itand fell?"
"That thou sawest, lady," said Skallagrim; "for I saw it also."
Now Bjoern grew white in his anger. He did not answer Gudruda, but calledaloud to his men to slay Eric and Skallagrim. Gizur called also to thefolk of Ospakar, and Swanhild to those who came with her.
Then Gudruda fled back to her seat.
But Eric cried aloud also: "Ye who love me, cleave to me. Suffer it notthat Brighteyes be cut down of northerners and outland men. Hear me,Atli's folk; hear me, carles of Coldback and of Middalhof!"
And so greatly did many love Eric that half of the thralls of Bjoern, andalmost all of the company of Swanhild who had been Atli's shield-men andBrighteyes' comrades, drew swords, shouting "Eric! Eric!" But the carlesof Ospakar came on to make an end of him.
Bjoern saw, and, drawing sword, smote at Brighteyes, taking him unawares.But Skallagrim caught the blow upon his axe, and before Bjoern couldsmite again Whitefire was aloft and down fell Bjoern, dead!
That was the end of Bjoern, Asmund's son.
"Thou hast squeaked thy last, rat! What did I tell thee?" criedSkallagrim. "Take Bjoern's shield and back to back, lord, for here comefoes."
"There goes one," answered Eric, pointing to the door.
Now Hall of Lithdale slunk through the doorway--Hall, the liar, who cutthe grapnel-chain--for he wished to see the last of Skallagrim. But theBaresark still held Eric's spear in his hand. He whirled it aloft, andit hissed through the air. The aim was good, for, as he crept away,the spear struck Hall between neck and shoulder, pinning him to thedoorpost, and there the liar died.
"Now the weasel is nailed to the beam," said Skallagrim. "Hall ofLithdale, what did I promise thee?"
"Guard thy head and my back," quoth Eric; "blows fall!"
Now men smote at Eric and Skallagrim, nor did they spare to smite inturn. And as foes fell before him, Eric stepped one pace forward towardsthe door, and Skallagrim, who, back to back with him, held off thosewho pressed behind, took one step rearwards. Thus, a foe for every step,they won their way down the long hall. Fierce raged the fray aroundthem, for, made with hate and drink and the lust of fight, Swanhild'sfolk--Eric's friends--remembering the words of Atli, fell on Ospakar's;and the people of Bjoern fell on each other, brother on brother, andfather on son--nor might the fray be stayed. The boards were overthrown,dead men lay among the meats and mead, and the blood of freeman, lordand thrall ran adown the floor. Everywhere through the dusky hallglittered the sheen of flashing swords and rose the clang of war. Dartsclove the air like tongues of flame, and the clamour of battle beatagainst the roof.
Blinded of the Norns who brought these things to pass, men sought nomercy and they gave none, but smote and slew till few were left to slay.
And still Gudruda sat in her bride-seat, and, with eyes fixed in horror,watched the waxing of the war. Near to her stood Swanhild, marking allthings with a fierce-set face, and calling down curses on her folk, whoone and all cried "Eric! Eric!" and swept the thralls of Ospakar as cornis swept of the sickle.
And there, nigh to the door, pale of face and beautiful to see, goldenEric clove his way, and with him went black Skallagrim. Terrible wasthe flare of Whitefire as he flicked aloft like the levin in the cloud.Terrible was the flare of Whitefire; but more terrible was the lightof Eric's eyes, for they seemed to flame in his head, and wherever thatfire fell it lighted men the way to death. Whitefire sung and flickered
,and crashed the axe of Skallagrim, and still through the press of warthey won their way. Now Gizur stands before them, spear aloft, andWhitefire leaps up to meet him. Lo! he turns and flies. The coward sonof Ospakar does not seek the fate of Ospakar!
The door is won. They stand without but little harmed, while women wailaloud.
"To horse!" cried Skallagrim; "to horse, ere our luck fail us!"
"There is no luck in this," gasped Eric; "for I have slain many men, andamong them is Bjoern, the brother of her whom I would make my bride."
"Better one such fight than many brides," said Skallagrim, shaking hisred axe. "We have won great glory this day, Brighteyes, and Ospakar isdead--slain by a swordless man!"
Now Eric and Skallagrim ran to their horses, none hindering them, and,mounting, rode towards Mosfell.
All that evening and all the night they rode, and at morning they cameacross the black sand to Mosfell slopes that are by the Hecla. Here theyrested, and, taking off their armour, washed themselves in the stream:for they were very weary and foul with blood and wounds. When they hadfinished washing and had buckled on their harness again, Skallagrim,peering across the plain with his hawk's eyes, saw men riding fasttowards them.
"Foes are soon afoot, lord," he said. "I thought we had stayed theirhunger for a while."
"Would that I might stay mine," quoth Eric. "I am weary, and unfit forfight."
"I have still strength for one or two," said Skallagrim, "and thengood-night! But these are no foes. They are of the Coldback folk. Thecarline has kept her word."