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Surely thou hast heard of Ospakar Blacktooth the priest who dwells in the north?" "Ay, I have heard of him, and I know him; there is no man like him for ugliness, or strength, or wealth and power. We sailed together on a viking cruise many years ago, and he did things at which my blood turned, and in those days I had no chicken heart." "With time men change their temper.
Before her heart beat two hundred times she would be the wife of Ospakar! Blacktooth took the cup pledged her in it, and drank deep. Then he turned and strove to kiss her. But Gudruda shrank from him with horror in her eyes, and all men wondered. Still she must drink the bridal cup. She took it. Dimly she saw the upturned faces, faintly she heard the murmur of a hundred voices.
For still all men loved Eric, and the people of his quarter were proud of the deeds he had done oversea. "Greeting, Björn, Asmund's son!" quoth Eric. "Greeting, Ospakar Blacktooth! Greeting, Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli's witch-wife Groa's witch-bairn! Greeting, Hall of Lithdale, Hall the liar Hall who cut the grapnel-chain! And to thee, sweet Bride, to thee Gudruda the Fair, greeting!"
The man came and she knew him at once for Koll the Half-witted, who had been her mother Groa's thrall. On his shoulders was the cloak that Ospakar Blacktooth had given him; it was much torn now, and he had a worn and hungry look. "Whence comest thou, Koll?" she asked, "and what are thy tidings?" "From Scotland last, lady, where I sat this winter; before that, from Iceland.
"Dead is Ospakar! slain by the swordless man! Eric Brighteyes hath slain Ospakar Blacktooth!" Then there went up such a shout as never was heard in the hall of Middalhof. Now when Gudruda knew that Ospakar was sped, she looked at Eric as he rested, leaning on his sword, and her heart was filled with awe and love. She sprang from her seat, and, coming to where Brighteyes stood, she greeted him.
Next, we two were set upon by Ospakar Blacktooth and his fellowship, and, fighting for our hands, have wounded Ospakar, slain Mord his son, and six other men of his following." "That may happen, lord. There is time enough to think of it. Now there are other tidings to tell. Coming to the head of Goldfoss I found Gudruda, my betrothed, mourning my death, and spoke with her.
But if thou hast lied to me about her, beware! for soon there shall be a knave the less in Iceland." Now a man rose in the hall and said that Koll spoke truth, for he had seen Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter, and there was no maid like her in Iceland. "I will do this now," said Blacktooth.
She weeps because she has betrayed her love, Eric Brighteyes, my son, and is about to be sold in marriage to be sold to thee, Ospakar Blacktooth, like a heifer at a fair." Then Björn grew angry and cursed Saevuna, nor did Ospakar spare to add his ill words. But the old dame sat in her chair, listening silently till all their curses were spent.
I had but one good thing, and that was the fairest housewife in those parts Thorunna by name and I loved her much, but we had no children. Now, not far from my stead is a place called Swinefell, and there dwells a mighty chief named Ospakar Blacktooth; he is an evil man and strong " Eric started at the name and then bade Skallagrim take up the tale.
Still, she fooled Gizur as she had fooled Atli the Good, and he grew blind with love of her. For still the beauty of Swanhild waxed as the moon waxes in the sky, and her wicked eyes shone as the stars shine when the moon has set. Now they came to Swinefell, and there Gizur buried Ospakar Blacktooth, his father, with much state.