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It strikes right on the shield of Ospakar and pierces it, ay and the byrnie, and the shoulder that is beneath the byrnie, so that Blacktooth was made unmeet for fight, and howled with pain and rage. "Go, bid Thorunna draw that splinter forth," says Skallagrim, "and heal the hole with kisses."
They were free now, except for their hands, and it was no easy thing to cut away the bonds upon their wrists. It was done thus: Skallagrim sat upon the deck, and Eric pushed the sword between his fingers with his feet. Then the Baresark rose, holding the sword, and Eric, turning back to back with him, fretted the cords upon his wrists against the blade.
"What means this, lord? Is it time to ride? and say! why is thy shirt red with blood?" "Follow me, drunkard, and look upon thy work!" Eric said again. Then Skallagrim grew altogether sober, and grasping his axe, followed after Brighteyes, sore afraid of what he might see.
"This is the great man," they cried, "this is that Eric of whose deeds folk sing! Look! he weeps like a child when he sees the water. Drag him forth and away with him into the sea!" "Little need for that," cried Eric, and lo! the cloaks about him and Skallagrim flew aside.
The sailors said that this was a good word, for they were weary of the sight of Whitefire as he flamed on high and the sound of the axe of Skallagrim as it crashed through helm and byrnie; and as fear crept in valour fled out.
"What counsel shall we take now?" said Eric, and as he spoke a sea broke over them for the gale was strong. "Board them and make an end," answered Skallagrim. "Rough work; still, we will try it," said Eric, "for we may not lie thus for long, and I am loath to leave them." Then Eric called for men to follow him, and many answered, creeping as best they might to where he stood.
Nay, look not at the door: for, if thou stirrest, this spear shall find thee before thou hast gone a pace!" Now Hall stood forward, trembling with fear, for he saw the eye of Skallagrim watching him close, and while Lambstail watched, his fingers toyed with the handle of his axe. "It is true, lord, that Swanhild charged me with that message which I gave to the Lady Gudruda.
Then, slowly, and with a reeling brain, he steps down upon the giddy point. He goes near to falling, yet does not fall, for now he lies upon the open space, and creeps on hands and knees to the rock-wall that is by the cave, and sits resting his back against it, Whitefire on his knee. Before he is there, Skallagrim staggers to his side with a rush. "Now we have time to breathe, lord," he gasps.
Then, while they shrank from him in terror, he turned, and, walking like a drunken man, staggered from the hall down that passage which led to the store-chamber. The door stood wide, the shutter was wide, and on the floor, soaked in the dregs of ale, Skallagrim yet lay snoring, his axe in one hand and a cup in the other. Eric looked and understood.
But this is my counsel to you: that ye leave me to my doom, for I am an unlucky man who always chooses the wrong road." "That will not I," said Skallagrim. "Nor we," said Eric's folk; "Swanhild holds Coldback, and we are driven to the fells. To the fells then we will go with thee, Eric Brighteyes, and become cave-dwellers and outlaws for thy sake. Fear not, thou shalt still find many friends."
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