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But in this nick of time got to his feet Gunnar's man, who had lain fallen awhile, and he ran straightway to see the Earl, and to tell him these tidings. Earl Svein was wondrous wroth at this tale, and forthwith summoned a Thing in the town. But when Thorfinn and Thorstein Dromond knew this, they brought together their kin and friends and came thronging to the Thing.
"Well I knew Gunnar, our king, and tonight I thought he had come back to us from Valhalla, goodlier yet and mightier than ever, as one who has feasted with the Asir might well be. For if this boy of ours is not Gunnar's son, then he is Gunnar himself."
'One that none could guess, replied Njal, and Gunnar went away. Now at the next Thing there was great dispute over this suit, but in the end it was settled to Gunnar's honour, and Gizur the white and Geir the priest gave pledges that they would keep the peace.
But he went up the stairs two steps at a time, his spent breath whistling through his bloody nostrils. There at the top of the stairs he found Gunnar. And Gunnar's dead lay thick about him. Gunnar had moved himself to a sitting position against one of the railings. His chin was upon his great chest and his eyes were closed as though he slept.
Gunnar's sword went halfway through the thick, scaly neck, but with a leap it was upon him, its fore-limbs spread out fan-wise, flogging and clawing. The head opened. Long fangs gleamed as it struck. Gunnar ducked and dodged and the striking fangs missed. The head flashed over Gunnar's shoulder. The weight of it sent him to his knees, and his broadsword buried itself in the snake again.
Odin shrugged. Gunnar's philosophy couldn't be shaken. But the dwarf was serious about the rifle. "One shot would bring the rocks down upon us, Odin. Throw the thing away. It's no good." "Not until I find a better weapon." Jack Odin shook his head. At last they struggled through to the water's edge. It could not be called a beach, or even a landing, for the rocks came down at a sixty-degree angle.
'Keep back, said Gunnar, 'I have no quarrel with brave men like you, but Hallbjorm answered: 'I cannot for shame stand by while you kill my brother; and he smote with his spear at Gunnar. While they were fighting, Skamkell struck at Gunnar's back with his axe, but Gunnar turned round, and, with his bill caught the axe from beneath, so that it fell out of Skamkell's hands.
They fell slowly like drops of blood, and the onlookers, who were by nature opposed to crowds, began to disperse. "That girl," Odin grasped Gunnar's arm "Who is she?" Gunnar looked at him curiously. "Her name is Nea. A distant cousin of Maya's. Also, a distant cousin to Grim Hagen." Nothing else was said.
Dust was still rising as it shook loose an occasional, crumbling ledge. "Eh, Nors-King, we fight again," the squat man laughed. "You saved Gunnar's life once more and you almost killed him, too." He paused to wipe sweat from his dripping face. Odin grinned back at him. Then, without another word, he took up the expensive rifle and let it slip overboard.
Having a mind to see something of the world, Gunnar set sail for Norway, where he stayed some time, and had many adventures. It was early in the summer when he and Kolskegg sailed home to Iceland, where men were assembling for the great Council, or Thing. Gunnar's first act was to ride off to Njal's house, and Gunnar asked if he would be present at the Thing.
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