Part 39 (1/2)
Then the rimur's , Eric's mother, fast in the chair, and bore it thence But when at length they came to Coldback, they found that Swanhild was there with all her following, and had driven Eric's grieve and his folk to the fells But one old carline, who had been nurse to Eric, was left there, and she sat wailing in an outhouse, being too weak to move
Then the men set down the corpse of Saevuna in the outhouse, and, having told all their tale to the carline, they fled also
That night passed, and passed the hteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail landed near West been beat about by contrary winds; but at length they came safe and well to land
Now this was the day of the e-feast of Gudruda the Fair and Ospakar; but Eric knew nothing of these tidings
”Where to now, lord?” said Skallagrim
”To Coldback first, to see s of Gudruda Then as it may chance”
Near to the beach was a yeoman's house Thither they went to hire horses; but none were in the house, for all had gone to Gudruda's ood horses, and in the outhouses were saddles and bridles They caught the horses, saddled the over an hour they caht whence they could see Coldback in the Marsh
Eric drew rein and looked, and his heart swelled within hiht of the place where he was born But as he looked he saw a great train of people ride away from Coldback towards Middalhof--and in the co a purple cloak
”Nohat may this mean?” said Eric
”Ride on and we shall learn,” answered Skallagrirew heavy with fear
Now they passed up the banked way through the home meadows of the house, but they could see no one; and now they were at the door Down sprang Eric and walked into the hall But none were there to greet hiaunt hound wandered about the hall, and, seeing hi Eric knew hi listened, then ran up and shtway hoith joy and leapt upon him For a while he leapt thus, while Eric stared around hi ran to the door and stopped, whining Eric followed after hih the entrance, and across the yard till he ca stopped and scratched at the door, still whining Eric thrust it open Lo! there before him sat Saevuna, his mother, dead in a chair, and at her feet crouched the carline--she who had been Eric's nurse
Now he grasped the door-posts to steady himself, and his shadow fell upon the white face of his mother and the old carline at her feet
XXIII
HOW ERIC WAS A GUEST AT THE WEDDING-FEAST OF GUDRUDA THE FAIR
Eric looked, but said nothing
”Who art thou?” whined the carline, gazing up at him with tear-blinded eyes But Eric's face was in the shadow, and she only saw the glint of his golden hair and the flash of the golden helm For Eric could not speak yet a while
”Art thou one of the Swanhild's folk, coo to the fells, my limbs are too weak Slay me, if thou wilt, but drive me not from this,” and she pointed to the corpse ”Say noill thou not help ive it burial? It is unoods, and son, should lie unburied like a dead cow on the fells I have still a hundred in silver, if I ht but come at it It is hidden, sir, and I will pay thee if thou wilt help rave, nor could I bear her there alone if it were dug Thou wilt not help me?--then ulls and ravens Oh, that Eric Brighteyes would coain! Oh, that Eric was here! there is work to do and never a reat sob and cried, ”Nurse, nurse! knowest thou hteyes”
She uttered a loud cry, and, clasping him by the knees, looked up into his face
”Thanks be to Odin! Thou art Eric--Eric coain! But alas, thou hast come too late!”
”What has happened, then?” said Eric
”What has happened? All evil things Thou art outlawed, Eric, at the suit of Swanhild for the slaying of Atli the Earl Swanhild sits here in Coldback, for she hath seized thy lands Saevuna, thy o in the hall of Middalhof, whither she went to speak with Gudruda”
”Gudruda! what of Gudruda?” cried Eric
”This, Brighteyes: to-day she weds Ospakar Blacktooth”