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Updated: May 27, 2025
Now the matter was brought before Asmund as umpire, and he gave judgment for Eric, "for," he said, "if Eric yield up his eye into my hand, I can return it to his head no more if he should win; but if Ospakar gives me the good sword and conquers, it is easy for me to pass it back to him unharmed." Men said that this was a good judgment. Thus then was the arm-game set.
Still, I swear this, that, when the days lengthen, I will go up alone against him and challenge him to battle, and conquer him or fall." "Then, thou yellow-headed puppy-dog, thou shalt go with one eye against a Baresark with two," growled Ospakar. Men took no heed of his words, but shouted aloud, for Skallagrim had plagued them long, and there were none who dared to fight with him any more.
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."
See, lord, thou and I will yet smite this Ospakar. He has taken my wife and he would take thy betrothed. Let it be! Let it be! Ah, would that I had been there to see the wrestling Ospakar had never risen from his snow-bed. But there is time left to us, and I shall yet see his head roll along the dust.
For this is the rumour that I have heard: that Asmund the Priest, my father, is dead; that Groa, my mother, is dead how, I know not; and, lastly, that Gudruda the Fair, thy love, is betrothed to Ospakar Blacktooth and weds him in the spring." Now Eric sprang up with an oath and grasped the hilt of Whitefire. Then he sat down again upon the stone and covered his face with his hands.
Koll, who was my mother's thrall, has come hither from Iceland, and these are his tidings: that Asmund is dead, and Unna, thy cousin, Thorod of Greenfell's daughter, is dead, and my mother Groa is dead also." "Heavy tidings, truly!" said Eric; "and what of Gudruda, is she also dead?" "Nay, Eric she is wed wed to Ospakar."
"What hast thou to do with Eric?" snarled Ospakar. "The bride-cup is not yet drunk, lord," she answered. "To thee, then, I will speak, lady," quoth Eric. "How comes it that, being betrothed to me, thou dost sit there the bride of Ospakar?" "Ask of Swanhild," said Gudruda in a low voice. "Ask also of Hall of Lithdale yonder, who brought me Swanhild's gift from Straumey."
Yet hast thou half a shield!" Ospakar rushed on, and Whitefire flickered over Eric's helm. Down it came and shore one wing from the helm. Again it shone and fell, but Brighteyes caught the blow on his broken shield. Then, while men waited to see him slain, Eric gave a great war-shout and sprang forward. "Thou art mad!" shouted the folk. "Ye shall see! Ye shall see!" screamed Skallagrim.
"Nay," answered Asmund, "thou hast got the greatest honour, and they, and Ospakar, such shame as may not be wiped out." Now when Blacktooth saw what had come to pass, he well-nigh choked, and fell from his horse in fury. Still, he could find no stomach for fighting, but, mustering his company, rode straightway from the Thing home again to Swinefell.
"Make play with fists, or wrestle if ye will, for that were great sport to see; but weapons shall not be drawn." Now Ospakar grew mad with anger and drink and he grinned like a dog, till men saw the red gums beneath his lips. "Thou wilt wrestle with me, youngling with me whom no man has ever so much as lifted from my feet? Good!
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