Part 53 (1/2)

He looked thrice, then sang aloud:

”Long ago, when swept the snow-blast, Close we clung and plighted troth.

Many a year, through storm and sword-song, Sore I strove to win thee, sweet!

But last night I held thee, Fairest, Lock'd, a wife, in lover's arms.

Now, Gudruda, in thy death-rest, Sleep thou soft till Eric come!

”Hence I go to wreak thy murder.

Hissing fire of flaming stead, Groan of spear-carles, wail of women, Soon shall startle through the night.

Then on Mosfell, Kirtle-Wearer, Eric waits the face of Death.

Freed from weary life and sorrow, Soon we'll kiss in Hela's halls!”

Then he laid her in the grave, and, having shrouded a sheet over her, they filled it in together, hiding Gudruda the Fair from the sight of men for ever.

Afterwards Eric armed himself, and this Skallagrim did also. Then he strode from the hall, and Skallagrim followed him. In the yard those horses were still tied that should have carried them to the s.h.i.+p, and on one was the saddle of Gudruda. She had ridden on this horse for many years, and loved it much, for it would follow her like a dog. Eric looked at him, then said aloud:

”Gudruda may need thee where she is, Blackmane,” for so the horse was named. ”At the least, none shall ride thee more!” And he s.n.a.t.c.hed the axe from the hand of Skallagrim and slew the horse at a blow.

Then they rode away, heading for Coldback. The night was wild and windy, and the sky dark with scudding clouds, through which the moon peeped out at times. Eric looked up, then spoke to Skallagrim:

”A good night for burning, drunkard!”

”Ay, lord; the flames will fly briskly,” answered Skallagrim.

”How many, thinkest thou, walked over thee, drunkard, when thou didst lie yonder in the ale?”

”I know not,” groaned Skallagrim; ”but I found this in the soft earth without: the print of a man's and a woman's feet; and this on the hill side: the track of two horses ridden hard.”

”Gizur and Swanhild, drunkard,” said Eric. ”Swanhild cast us into deep sleep by witchcraft, and Gizur dealt the blow. Better for him that he had never been born than that he has lived to deal that coward's blow!”

Then they rode on, and when midnight was a little while gone they came to the stead at Coldback. Now this house was roofed with turves, and the windows were barred so that none could pa.s.s through them. Also in the yard were f.a.ggots of birch and a stack of hay.

Eric and Skallagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the north of the stead and crept up to the house. All was still; but a fire burnt in the hall, and, looking through a crack, Eric could see many men sleeping about it. Then he made signs to Skallagrim and together, very silently, they fetched hay and f.a.ggots, piling them against the north door of the house, for the wind blew from the north. Now Eric spoke to Skallagrim, bidding him stand, axe in hand, by the south door, and slay those who came out when the reek began to smart them: but he went himself to fire the pile.

When Brighteyes had made all things ready for the burning, it came into his mind that, perhaps, Gizur and Swanhild were not in the house. But he would not hold his hand for this, for he was mad with grief and rage. So once more he prepared for the deed, when again he heard a voice in his ear--the voice of Gudruda, and it seemed to say:

”_Thine oath, Eric! remember thine oath!_”

Then he turned and the rage went out of his heart.

”Let them seek me on Mosfell,” he said, ”I will not slay them secretly and by reek, the innocent and the guilty together.” And he strode round the house to where Skallagrim stood at the south door, axe aloft and watching.

”Does the fire burn, lord? I see no smoke,” whispered Skallagrim.

”Nay, I have made none. I will shed no more blood, except to save my life. I leave vengeance to the Norns.”

Now Skallagrim thought that Brighteyes was mad, but he dared say nothing. So they went to their horses, and when they found them, Eric rode back to the house. Presently they drew near, and Eric told Skallagrim to stay where he was, and riding on to the house, smote heavy blows upon the door, just as Skallagrim once had smitten, before Eric went up to Mosfell.