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"Eric Brighteyes, Skallagrim Lambstail, and Gudruda the Fair," whispered Swanhild, naming the horses and laughing evilly "the birds are within! Now to snare them." "Were it not best to meet them by the ship?" asked Gizur. "Nay, thou fool; if once Eric and Skallagrim are back to back, and Whitefire is aloft, how many shall be dead before they are down, thinkest thou?
Let us stand here till they overwhelm us." Now those behind Gizur cried out to know what ailed them that they pushed back. "Only this," said Gizur, "that Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail stand like two grey wolves and hold the narrow way." "Now we shall have fighting worth the telling of," quoth Ketel the viking. "On, Gizur, Ospakar's son, and cut them down!"
"By Thor!" he cried, "here lies the corpse of Eric Brighteyes!" and Atli wrung his hands and wept, for he loved Eric much. "Be not so sure that the men are dead, Earl," said one, "I thought I saw yon great carle move but now." "He is Skallagrim Lambstail, Eric's Death-shadow," said Atli again. "Up with them, lads see, yonder lies a plank and away to the hall.
"Who is the braggart?" answered Eric. "He who twice has learned the weight of this arm and yet boasts his strength, or I who stand craving that two should come against me? Get thee hence, Ospakar; get thee home and bid Thorunna, thy leman, whom thou didst beguile from that Ounound who now is named Skallagrim Lambstail the Baresark, nurse thee whole of the wound her husband gave thee. Be sure we shall yet stand face to face, and that combs shall be cut then, combs black or golden. Nurse thee! nurse thee! cease thy prating get thee home, and bid Thorunna nurse thee; but first name thou the two who shall stand against me in holmgang in Oxar
Now as he thought, he saw men and horses draw near, and one man, whose helm gleamed in the moonlight, bore something in his arms. "Who passes?" he called. "Eric Brighteyes, Skallagrim Lambstail, and Gudruda, Asmund's daughter," answered a voice; "who art thou?" Then Asmund the Priest sprang forward, most glad at heart, for he never thought to see Eric again.
"I would tread it no more," said Eric again, "and yet that fellow thief of thine said that I should die here," and for a while his heart was heavy. Now Skallagrim Lambstail led him by secret paths to a dell rich in grass, that is hid in the round of the mountain, and here three good horses were at feed.
They fled, they fell, they leaped into the sea, till none were left to fall and leap, for they had no time or heart to find or draw their weapons, and presently Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail stood alone upon the deck alone with the dead. "Swanhild is a wise witch," gasped Eric, "and, whatever ill she has done, I will remember this to her honour."
Then once more they sat silent; and thick darkness came down upon the mountain, hiding the stars. "Look," said Eric of a sudden, and he pointed to Hecla. Skallagrim looked, and lo! the snowy dome of Hecla was aglow with a rosy flame like the light of dawn. "Winter lights," said Lambstail, shuddering. "Death lights!" answered Eric. "Look again!"
Lay on, Lambstail; lay on with that axe of thine." "Child's talk!" said Skallagrim. "Child's talk, but man's work! Thou hast not heard the tale out. Swanhild hath seized my lands and sits here at Coldback! And what thinkest thou, Skallagrim? but now she has ridden a-guesting to the marriage-feast of Ospakar Blacktooth with Gudruda the Fair!
All day long he stalked to and fro among his men; he would trust nothing to others, and there was no sword or shield in his company but he himself had proved it. All day long he stalked, and at his back went Skallagrim Lambstail, axe on shoulder, for he would never leave Eric if he had his will, and they were a mighty pair.
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