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Updated: June 13, 2025
This done, he bid Jon tend the horses for hereabouts there is a little grass and be watchful till he returned, since he must go up against Skallagrim alone. And there with a doubtful heart Jon stayed all that night. For of all that came to pass he saw but one thing, and that was the light of Whitefire as it flashed out high above him on the brow of the mountain when first Brighteyes smote at foe.
Ospakar was strong, but the Baresark strength of Skallagrim is more than the strength of Ospakar, and soon Brighteyes thinks longingly on Whitefire that he has cast aside.
Now Ospakar, writhing with his hurt, shouts to his men to slay the two of them, and then the fight begins. One rushes at Eric and smites at him with an axe. The blow falls on his shield, and shears off the side of it, then strikes the byrnie beneath, but lightly. In answer Eric sweeps low at him with Whitefire, and cuts his leg from under him between knee and thigh, and he falls and dies.
So, in the hardihood of his youth and strength, he cast Whitefire aside, and crying "Come, try a fall with me, Baresark," rushed on Skallagrim. "Thou art mad," yells the Baresark, and they are at it hard. Now they grip and rend and tear.
But Ralph the Red, being in drink when the ships met in battle, fought with an axe, and was slain by my father, and since then Whitefire has been the last light that many a chief's eyes have seen. Look at it, Asmund." Now he drew the great sword, and men were astonished as it flashed aloft. Its hilt was of gold, and blue stones were set therein.
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.
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.
It would not be well to let that stroke fall, and it must go hard with aught it struck. He springs forward, he louts low and sweeps upwards with Whitefire. Skallagrim sees the sword flare and drops almost to his knee, guarding his head with the axe; but Whitefire strikes on the iron half of the axe and shears it in two, so that the axe-head falls to earth.
Then, as folk fall from him, with all his strength he whirls Whitefire round his head till it shines like a wheel of fire. "Thy service is done and thou art clean of Gudruda's blood go back to those who forged thee!" Brighteyes cries, and casts Whitefire from him towards the gulf.
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.
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