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Updated: May 27, 2025
This then they did, and Ospakar sat up, breathing in great gasps, the blood running from his mouth and ears, and he was an evil sight to see, for what with blood and snow and rage his face was like the face of the Swinefell Goblin. But Swanhild spoke in the ear of Gudruda: "Here," she said, looking at Eric, "we two have a man worth loving, foster-sister."
It fell on the hangings, piercing them, piercing the heart of Thorunna, who cowered behind them, so that with one cry she sank dead to earth, slain by her lover's hand. Now when men saw that Ospakar once more held Whitefire in his hand Whitefire that Brighteyes had won from him they called aloud that it was an omen.
Did not Björn thrust the cloven shield before my feet, and thus give me into the hand of Ospakar? Did he not afterwards smite at me from behind, and would he not have slain me if Skallagrim had not caught the blow? Was I, then, to blame if I smote back and if the sword flew home? Wilt thou let the needful deed rise up against our love? Speak, Gudruda!"
"Greeting, Gudruda, my sister!" she said. "When last we met I sat, Atli's bride, where to-day thou sittest the bride of Ospakar. Then Eric Brighteyes held thy hand, and little thou didst think of wedding Ospakar. Now Eric is afar so strangely do things come about and Blacktooth, Brighteyes' foe, holds that fair hand of thine."
The wind blew ever harder, till at length, when the rain had passed and the clouds lifted, there was much water in the hold and the bailers could hardly stand at their work. Men murmured, and Hall the mate murmured most of all; but still Eric held on, for there, not two furlongs ahead of them, rode the dragon of Ospakar.
"Art thou so sure of that, Eric? Swanhild is fair and wise." "Ay and evil. When I love Swanhild, then thou mayest love Ospakar." "It is a bargain," she said, laughing. "Good luck go with thee in the wrestling," and with a kiss she left him, fearing lest she should be seen.
Now men rode round them, but at first they did not know Eric, because of the golden helm that hid his face in shadow. "Who are ye?" called Ospakar. "I think that thou shouldst know me, Blacktooth," Eric answered, "for I set thee heels up in the snow but lately or, at the least, thou wilt know this," and he drew great Whitefire. "Thou mayest know me also, Ospakar," cried the Baresark.
Scarcely was the deed done when Eric came in, and made himself ready for the game, binding the greased shoes upon his feet, for he feared no trick. Now everybody went out to the ring, and Ospakar and Eric stripped for wrestling. They were clad in tight woollen jerkins and hose, and sheep-skin shoes were on their feet. They named Asmund master of the game, and his word must be law to both of them.
I would slay Eric indeed, for between him and me there is a blood-feud, since my brother died at his hand when, with Whitefire for a crook, Brighteyes drove armed men like sheep down the hall of Middalhof ay and swordless, slew Ospakar. Yet I say that Eric is a true man, and, whether or no thou art true, Gizur the Lawman, that thou knowest best thou and Swanhild the Fatherless, Groa's daughter.
"As thou wilt, Baresark. Among so many there is room to pick and choose. Tell on, nurse!" Then she told how Swanhild came out to Iceland, and, having won Ospakar Blacktooth and Gizur to her side, had laid a suit against Eric at the Thing, and there bore false witness against him, so that Brighteyes was declared outlaw, being absent.
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