The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

ts. And for his pleasure, that he might seem the greater in the eyes of his neighbors, he kept men who did no work, but bore arms wheresoever they went; yet it had never been known that Ei

ed eye toward the hall of Hiarandi, where it stoo

as he spoke, and of many smooth words; but Ondott was tall and thin, lean-visaged and sour, and of surly speech. Einar was fond of dress, while Ondott went in simple clothes; yet they both lov

of age. She was of a sweet nature. Now one morning Helga stood with Dalla the old woman before the women's door of the hall, and they saw where came toward them a wom

ked Einar, "that tho

I will not stay to share it." And she told of t

iarandi is a fool, so

lga timidly, "that it

red reprovingly. But she came cl

," she whispered. "For I like no

dded: "She is a good worker, and handy to have about the place. Let us give her room." So Einar bade Th

mest th

well with her work for her keep; but at Cragness she was missed, and the work was harder. Yet Thurid made no more prophecies, nor spoke of those which had been made. But it was known that the thralls of Hiarandi were se

not needed at the farm. And Ondott met him, and asked him in, and asked him questions of

l an

gether

the woman still make

ing," answered Ondott. "Bu

all piece of money and bade him come again. Then Ondott called Thurid, and asked her of the things she had said at Cragness, what they mi

eed t

ck or

m who

es will

For only when the news came of the trick of Kiartan in cheating his brother did Ondott think that there might be something in the old woman's forecasting. And he and

ught word that in the Orkneys Kiartan had foully slain a man of Broadfirth, whose

rest of kin must take the suit against the slayer; and if the slayer should die, then his nearest of kin must take the defence. And the law is clearly shown by the case of the Heath-Slayings and other famous quarrels, wh

tt said: "Come now outside with me and speak of this, but

into the yard with Ondott, and walk

artan. For he hath set his own brother strong agai

true," said E

one thee, and yet be free himself. In the old days, which are not so long past, a man

ce be taken, or not at all. Yet it is hard if my money and thy wit cannot rid me of these brothe

in thine art cramped for room. It is plainly true what people say, that thou canst never come into the honor whi

w that is not to be borne! And I say to thee, get

f the slaying might be bribed to swear to Kiartan's death. Then the blood-suit could be brought against Hiarandi

and thou shalt be called Ondott Crafty." For that was a saying i

to swear to Kiartan's death. Einar gave him money, both for himself and to pay his passage outward. Then witnesses we