Part 50 (1/2)
”There is little use in that,” said Eric, ”for things will befall as they are fated. We may do nothing of our own will, I am sure of this, and it is no good to struggle with the Norns. Yet I will rise.”
So he kissed her, and made ready to leave the bed, when suddenly, as he lingered, a great heaviness seized him.
”Gudruda,” he said, ”I am pressed down with sleep.”
”That I am also, Eric,” she said. ”My eyes shut of themselves and I can scarcely stir my limbs. Ah, Eric, we are fey indeed, and this is--death that comes!”
”Perchance!” he said, speaking heavily.
”Eric!--wake, Eric! Thou canst not move? Yet hearken to me--ah! this weight of sleep! Thou lovest me, Eric!--is it not so?”
”Yea,” he answered.
”Now and for ever thou lovest me--and wilt cleave to me always wherever we go?”
”Surely, sweet. Oh, sweet, farewell!” he said, and his voice sounded like the voice of one who speaks across the water.
”Farewell, Eric Brighteyes!--my love--my love, farewell!” she answered very slowly, and together they sank into a sleep that was heavy as death.
Now Gizur, Ospakar's son, and Swanhild, Atli's widow, rode fast and hard from Mosfell, giving no rest to their horses, and with them rode that thrall who had showed the secret path to Gizur. They stayed a while on Horse-Head Heights till the moon rose. Now one path led hence to the sh.o.r.e that is against the Westmans, where Gudruda's s.h.i.+p lay bound. Then Swanhild turned to the thrall. Her beautiful face was fierce and she had said few words all this while, but in her heart raged a fire of hate and jealousy which shone through her blue eyes.
”Listen,” she said to the thrall. ”Thou shalt ride hence to the bay where the s.h.i.+p of Gudruda the Fair lies at anchor. Thou knowest where our folk are in hiding. Thou shalt speak thus to them. Before it is dawn they must take boats and board Gudruda's s.h.i.+p and search her. And, if they find Eric, the outlaw, aboard, they shall slay him, if they may.”
”That will be no easy task,” said the thrall.
”And if they find Gudruda they shall keep her prisoner. But if they find neither the one nor the other, they shall do this: they shall drive the crew ash.o.r.e, killing as few as may be, and burn the s.h.i.+p.”
”It is an ill deed thus to burn another's s.h.i.+p,” said Gizur.
”Good or ill, it shall be done,” answered Swanhild fiercely. ”Thou art a lawman, and well canst thou meet the suit; moreover Gudruda has wedded an outlaw and shall suffer for her sin. Now go, and see thou tarry not, or thy back shall pay the price.”
The man rode away swiftly. Then Gizur turned to Swanhild, asking: ”Whither, then, go we?”
”I have said to Middalhof.”
”That is into the wolf's den, if Eric and Skallagrim are there,” he answered: ”I have little chance against the two of them.”
”Nay, nor against the one, Gizur. Why, if Eric's right hand were hewn from him, and he stood unarmed, he would still slay thee with his left, as, swordless, he slew Ospakar thy father. Yet I shall find a way to come at him, if he is there.”
Then they rode on, and Gizur's heart was heavy for fear of Eric and Skallagrim the Baresark. So fiercely did they ride that, within one hour after midnight, they were at the stead of Middalhof.
”We will leave the horses here in the field,” said Swanhild.
So they leaped to earth and, tying the reins of the horses together, left them to feed on the growing gra.s.s. Then they crept into the yard and listened. Presently there came a sound of horses stamping in the far corner of the yard. They went thither, and there they found a horse and two geldings saddled, but with the bits slipped, and on the horse was such a saddle as women use.
”Eric Brighteyes, Skallagrim Lambstail, and Gudruda the Fair,” whispered Swanhild, naming the horses and laughing evilly--”the birds are within!
Now to snare them.”
”Were it not best to meet them by the s.h.i.+p?” asked Gizur.
”Nay, thou fool; if once Eric and Skallagrim are back to back, and Whitefire is aloft, how many shall be dead before they are down, thinkest thou? We shall not find them sleeping twice.”