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Updated: May 4, 2025
When next I wound, it shall be with the tongue; when next I strive to slay, it shall be by another's hand. Curses on thee, thou ill counseller of darkness, who didst betray me at the last! Is it for this that I worshipped thee and swore the oath?" The morning came, and at the first light Asmund sought the Earl.
Now Thorkel asked Asmund what his mind foreboded him about his sons, as to what kind of craft they would be likely to take to. Asmund said that he thought Atli would be a great man at farming, foreseeing, and money-making. Thorkel answered, "A useful man and like unto thyself: but what dost thou say of Grettir?"
"Thou shalt kill them no more," said Asmund. "Well, <i>a friend should warn a friend of ill</i>," said Grettir. "Another work shall be found for thee then," said Asmund. "<i>More one knows the more one tries</i>," said Grettir; "and what shall I do now?" Asmund answered, "Thou shalt rub my back at the fire, as I have been wont to have it done."
Asmund and Eric, seeing this, mustered their army of freemen and thralls. There were one hundred and five of them, all stout men; but Ospakar Blacktooth's band numbered a hundred and thirty-three, and they stood with their backs to the Raven's Rift. "Now I would that Skallagrim was here to guard my back," said Eric, "for before this fight is done few will left standing to tell its tale."
"Speakest thou truth, fox? If thou liest, this I swear to thee thy tongue shall be dragged from thee by the roots!" "I speak the truth, lady," he answered. But still he spoke not all the truth, for he said nothing of the part which he had played in the deaths of Asmund and Unna. Then he told her of the manner of their end.
Now Atli asked what people dwelt in these parts, and, when he heard the name of Asmund Asmundson the Priest, he was glad, for in old days he and Asmund had gone many a viking cruise together. "We will leave the ship here," he said, "till the weather clears, and go up to Middalhof to stay with Asmund."
"The draught is drugged!" he cried a third time, "and that witch has drugged it!" And he began to tear at his breast. Then Groa laughed so shrilly that men trembled to hear her. "Yes, lord," she screamed, "the draught is drugged, and Groa the Witch-wife hath drugged it! Ay, tear thy heart out, Asmund, and Unna, grow thou white as snow soon, if my medicine has virtue, thou shalt be whiter yet!
Soft was her curling hair and deep were her dark blue eyes, and bent were her red lips as is a bow above her dimpled chin, and her teeth shone like pearls. "Is that fair maid thy daughter, Asmund," asked Atli. "She is named Swanhild the Fatherless," he answered, turning his face away.
Know this: that if Eric comes hither and gets speech with Gudruda, there is an end of thy hopes; for, fair as thou art, she is too fair for thee, and, strong as thou art, in a way she is too strong. Thou hast heard how these two love, and such loves mock at the will of fathers. Eric will win his desire or die beneath the swords of Asmund and Björn, if such men can prevail against his might.
Grettir grew up at Biarg till he was ten years old; then he began to get on a little; but Asmund bade him do some work; Grettir answered that work was not right meet for him, but asked what he should do. Says Asmund, "Thou shalt watch my home-geese." Grettir answered and said, "A mean work, a milksop's work." Asmund said, "Turn it well out of hand, and then matters shall get better between us."
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