Chapter 3

(_Room at Flugumyr_. LADY HELGA _and the woman physician_ SALVOR _enter_.)

_Helga_.--I have much to do about the house and can attend the patient but little. How is my husband, Salvor?

_Salvor_.--Rather poorly! He is now confessing to Bishop Botolf, Lady Helga.

_Helga_.--Confessing? Did he speak about the disposition of his dominions after his death?

_Salvor_.--The bishop touched upon that, but Kolbein said that this would have to wait until his kinsmen were assembled.

_Helga_.--To what purpose is the advice of his kinsmen in that matter? I see how it will end.

_Salvor_.--I have hopes that your husband will again recover his health this time.

_Helga_.--And how long will he keep it then?

_Salvor_.--So long as he stirs not.

_Helga_.--My husband will have to go to war and do battle as long as he lives.

_Salvor_.--Now he longs for peace.

_Helga_.--Then is he surely sick! (_Vehemently_.) My husband must not be sick; he will have to speak with his kinsmen, when they come. Give him strong drugs that he may have strength to do so. His sickness must not become known in the Westfirths by Thord Kakali.

_Salvor_.--Such strong drugs are not without danger.

_Helga_.--What danger is there in them?

_Salvor_.--That he loses possession of his senses, and becomes even more sick thereafter.

_Helga_ (_vehemently_).--His kinsmen must not know that he is sick, or else they will take matters in their own hands. He will have to have drugs so strong as to give him strength to hold council with them.

_Salvor_.--But if he loses possession of his senses during it?

_Helga_ (_with a look of relief_).--Let me take care of that. Then I shall speak for him, for all his intentions are known to me.

_Salvor_.--My advice it is not to use strong drugs; they may endanger Kolbein's life.

_Helga_.--Will you, low-born woman, give advice to a great?

_Salvor_.--Why seek you then a low-born woman to heal the great?

_Helga_.--I knew none better. Do as I bid you!

_Salvor_.--I shall do as you bid, my lady. You run the risk, not I.

(_Enter_ THOROLF.)

_Thorolf_.--Hail, lady! How is the chieftain's health?

_Helga_.--Rather good! Salvor says he will not be able to bear going into war for the first.

_Thorolf_.--Kolbein has a-plenty of men to lead his troops.

_Salvor_.--Brand Kolbeinsson--

_Thorolf_.--He, the velvet glove! Whilst Kolbein was on his foray to Reykholar and slew Tumi--a feat now famous--Brand was to dispatch old Sturla Thordsson--the fellow who mostly goes about with ink on his fingers. But Sturla gulled him so that Brand had to return with shame. Brand lacks both forethought _before_ battle and that fire _in_ battle which wins the victory.

_Salvor_.--Brand Kolbeinsson is a man of peace.

_Helga_.--You shall stay here at Flugumyr now, Thorolf, whilst my husband is in ill health. Brand Kolbeinsson would be but a low wall between us and Thord Kakali, should he advance from the West.

_Thorolf_.--So long have I been one of your household, my lady, that I am bound to obey. But who shall take care of the shipbuilding which I have under way for Kolbein the Young?

_Helga_.--Your wife Arnfrid; for this is not a place for women to be at.

_Salvor_.--The ships that are to be used for carrying our war into the Westfirths this spring?

_Thorolf_.--Yes. This spring we shall lay waste the Westfirths, kill cattle and people, burn down storehouses, farms, and churches, and slay all men we overtake. Thord shall not be able to hold himself there thereafter.

_Salvor_.--Holy mother of God! Why are the people to suffer all that misery and affliction! Have there not been enough maimings and killings in the Westfirths? Be mindful, Thorolf, that you, too, may be taken captive and your bright coat of mail get a red collar.

_Thorolf_.--Often have I thought of it. But he who lets himself be kept back by such thoughts had better never venture into danger.

_Helga_.--Go now, Salvor, and attend to the patient! (_Exit_ SALVOR.) The life of my husband is in great danger!

_Thorolf_. (_coming close to her_).--And shall I then become the Lord of Eyafirth?

_Helga_ (_motioning him away_).--Kolbein the Young still lives. Whilst he is living the disposition of the dominions remains his matter. It may well be, though, that I succeed in making him give you Eyafirth, and then more people from here would settle there than are there now. Then I shall foster up young Kalf, the son of Brand, because he will inherit Skagafirth from his father; and while he is young, and I gain influence over him, it may happen that the men of Skagafirth and Eyafirth would work in unison in all undertakings, and rule the entire country alone.

_Thorolf_.--Certainly! Certainly!

_Helga_.--Swear allegiance to me, Thorolf!

_Thorolf_.--I have ever been faithful to you.

_Helga_.--Will you be obedient to me, Thorolf?

_Thorolf_.--Yes, gladly (_kisses her hand_), now as always before.

_Helga_ (_gently_).--You have always been true to me, and that shall be rewarded as soon as ever I can.

(_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI, DEACON SIGURD, EINAR THE RICH, ALF, HELGI SKAFTASON, _together with six others_.)

_Brand_.--Hail, lady!

_Helga_.--Hail, my nephew! Hail, all of you! My husband has been expecting you with impatience.

_Einar_ (_aside_).--Now we shall see how sick a man Kolbein is.

_Helga_.--We pray you all to say the least possible about the infirmity of my husband; I have no more than sixty armed men about me.

_Broddi_.--And who is their leader?

_Helga_.--Thorolf Bjarnason, Asbjorn Illugason, and Haf Bjarnason.

_Broddi_.--And Thorolf Bjarnason remains here?

_Thorolf_.--First I shall return to my estate to give orders as to my affairs.

_Helga_ (_aside to_ THOROLF).--You speak incautiously, to tell them where you mean to go. I read your death in their eyes.

_Alf_.--You will not refuse me to keep you company on the way home?

_Thorolf_.--No; I care not to have your company, you insolent fool!

_Helga_.--You will remain here with us, Thorolf, on account of the infirmity of my husband and our defencelessness otherwise; you can send some one else to arrange matters on your estate.

(LADY HELGA _and those about her exeunt by door_. BRODDI, ALF, _and_ EINAR THE RICH _remain behind in the foreground_.)

_Broddi_.--Lady Helga has become suspicious of us.

_Einar_.--Sharp are the eyes of my Lady Helga whenever Thorolf is concerned.

_Alf_.--He has slipped from our grasp, the hellhound!

(KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, _pale and weak, is borne in on shields by_ ASBJORN ILLUGASON, HAF BJARNASON, _and others_. BISHOP BOTOLF _and_ SALVOR _enter with them_.)

_Kolbein_.--Hail to you all!

_Botolf_.--Pax vobiscum!

(_They bow to_ KOLBEIN _and the_ BISHOP. KOLBEIN _is borne to the high seat_. HELGA _stands beside him, also_ SALVOR _keeps near him always_.)

_Brand_ (_coming forward_).--How stands matters with you, kinsman Kolbein?

_Kolbein_.--Not so very well.

_Broddi_ (_coming forward_).--You have but a small body-guard about you to-day, brother-in-law!

_Kolbein_ (_pointing to_ BISHOP BOTOLF).--This body-guard _alone_ has been sufficient for some time.

_Brand_.--You have summoned us to meet you.

_Kolbein_.--I wanted, with the assistance of my kinsmen and of others, to make such provisions for our dominions as would most likely result in peace for the district.

_Brand_.--Peace we should desire for every consideration, since many regions are beginning to grow poor.

_Sigurd_.--The wars have fanned into flame hatred and malice over all the land.

_Botolf_.--Blessed are the peacemakers!

_Kolbein_.--During these last days the deep wound I received in the battle of Orlygsstad has been troubling me sorely, and I am so exhausted that I often look forward to death. Now you well know that Thord Kakali has lost through me both father and five brothers. That stands in the way of peace in the district. I therefore offer to go abroad and give up all my dominions.

_Helga_.--Give up all dominions!

_Botolf_.--And yield them to King Hakon?

_Kolbein_.--If King Hakon should lay claim to my lands I should give him six feet of land, or so much less as he lacks in height. To give Iceland to him is as bad as yielding up one's soul to the devil.

_Brand_.--But who is to receive the lands?

_Kolbein_.--I shall give all my dominions to Thord Kakali, and thus atone for the killing of his father and brothers. Your own cases would then be at his mercy. I expect that you will fare well in this, because just then did Thord prove to be my best friend when I entrusted my matters entirely to him; at that time you were also on friendly terms, you and the men from Skagafirth.

_Botolf_.--That would be a disposition promising peace, if the king himself is not to receive the dominion. (_Aside_.) It is the same as if King Hakon did receive it.

_Brand_.--You will deprive me of my rightful inheritance, and give up _all_ your dominions to Thord! Then will I rather fight for them until I fall.

_Broddi_.--Thord may think he has so much to settle with us that we could not endure the punishments he would inflict upon us--that is, if we had any desire to do so.

_Einar_.--If all dominions were given up to Thord he would treat us well.

_Botolf_.--And then there would be peace on earth and good-will among men.

_Thorolf_.--In Thord's Hall all we, your men, would have to sit upon the lower bench. His men whom we have pursued, wounded, stripped of their clothes, and beaten whenever we engaged them, they would take revenge on us, under cover of him. All of us desire but one of two things, _to do battle_ until we gain peace, or else, to fall with such renown as is granted us.

_Asbjorn_.--We will follow no other man whilst you live.

_The followers of Kolbein_.--No, no other man!

_Kolbein_.--Then your other choice is that all yeomen at their own expense guard in four parties the frontier during the remainder of winter. The first will have to be on the Skagafirth, to guard the road over the Kjol and the ways leading from Storasand. The second guard will have to be in Vididale, Vatnsdale, and Nupsdale to watch the paths over the Grimstungu-heath, and the one over Tvidægra-heath. The third and fourth guards will have to be in Midfirth and Hrutafirth, and to protect the ways along the Holtavordu-heath, and those from the Dales and Strands. When the sea is safe two light-sailing vessels will have to be sent around the Skaw to reconnoitre the sea-way toward the west.

_Broddi_.--Well, you have thought out everything, brother-in-law; to me this plan of war seems in every regard the best.

_Thorolf_.--If it is followed, Thord will never return west alive over the Blanda River, should he attack us.

_Asbjorn_.--Thord will be able to get over the Kjol Mountains or the Sprengisand Desert, down to the Eyafirth. There he will call upon his friends and attack us in the flank.

_Thorolf_.--That is unthinkable. In order to reach either of these ways Thord would have to journey around the whole island, and then overcome Hjalti the bishop's son, and Gissur's men. I should think it likeliest that Hjalti would flee north over the Kjol should he be defeated, and come our way some little time before Thord, who would have to go by a farther way and would waste his time in getting the men of Eyafirth to rise. Kolbein's plan of war is the best that can be chosen.

_Kolbein_.--It is most often Thorolf Bjarnason who best comprehends my plans.

_Broddi_ (_aside, clinching his hand against his breast_).--Does _he_ understand them best?

_Brand_.--All shall be done as you bid, kinsman Kolbein. I myself shall send three hundred men as guard into Hunathing.

_Kolbein_.--Then all is well, kinsman Brand!

_Salvor_.--You speak too much, my lord!

_Kolbein_.--I must speak to-day; to-day to-morrow is not sure to me (_to the others_). The third matter is the apportionment of the districts after my death.

_Salvor_.--Speaking irritates your wound, my lord, and you may become delirious.

_Kolbein_.--Let come what may! I will that my kinsman Brand have Skagafirth and Hunathing after my death. But Eyafirth and all districts east of the Heath I give to--(_He becomes delirious. Lady_ HELGA _makes a motion and stops him_.)

_Kolbein_.--See, wife, now fly the swans from Holar in Hjaltadale.

_Botolf_ (_to_ DEACON SIGURD).--He is dreaming about the messengers of the Holy Church, the sick man!

_Sigurd_ (_to_ BISHOP BOTOLF).--He will not live till to-morrow's matins!

_Helga_ (_bending down over_ KOLBEIN).--Appoint Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Broddi_.--Who is to get Eyafirth?

_Brand_.--I heard no one named.

_Kolbein_.--I name you, Thorolf Bjarnason!

_Broddi_.--For what do you name Thorolf Bjarnason?

_Helga_.--For the chieftainship over Eyafirth and all districts north of the Heath.

_Broddi_.--I claim that I have better title to it than Thorolf.

_Thorolf_.--It will prove a troublesome business for you to wrench Eyafirth out of my hands. (_In a whisper to_ HELGA, _to whom he has approached more closely_.) Am I given Eyafirth then?

_Helga_ (_whispers back_).--Do not let it be seen that you are whispering to me. They will become suspicious. My position is difficult.

_Kolbein_.--I shall spare you, kinsman! (_Speaks unintelligibly_. HELGA _bends down over him_.)

_Helga_.--My husband wishes that you, Brand Kolbeinsson, and you, Thorolf, shall swear to each other an everlasting truce, now immediately.

_Brand_.--Is that your wish, kinsman Kolbein?

_Kolbein_.--It is. It is. Six hundred men! Advance bravely after me! My kinsman Brand is in great danger.

_Broddi_.--Always it is you, Brand! Physician, attend to the sick man.

_Salvor_.--Carry your chieftain into his bed!

_Kolbein_.--Woden owns all the slain men! Neither Thord Kakali nor one of his men will return alive over Blanda. Another battle won. A great and glorious victory. Carry away the fallen, I will not see them. Woden owns all the slain men.

_Botolf_.--So much devilish magic yet living in a Christian country! And this man have I shriven but a short while ago! Woden owns all the slain men! (KOLBEIN'S _men surround him to bear him out on their shields_. HELGA _speaks fast and in a low voice to_ ASBJORN ILLUGASON.)

_Helga_.--Place our armed servants before all doors. And let them stay there. And leave the doors open after you when you come in again.

_Kolbein_.--Woden owns all the slain men. You bleed, Thorolf Bjarnason. Put on your head, Thorolf! Put on your head! Beware of the cave by the Kolbeinstream!

(ASBJORN ILLUGASON, HAF, _and others carry_ KOLBEIN _out_. SALVOR _follows them_. HELGA _leads_ BISHOP BOTOLF _to the high seat_.)

_Helga_.--I have neglected to show you those marks of esteem which I ought to have shown you, my lord! But my situation has been a troublesome one for a while.

_Botolf_.--I have been thinking in my mind the while, my lady, how much you resemble in mien and carriage the women of the ancient race of the kings of Norway.

_Helga_ (_laughs_).--I am a descendant in the fourth generation of King Magnus Bareleg, and were I a man and not a woman I would be nearer to the throne of Norway than your King Hakon. This relationship cost my brother Paul his life, when he was in Norway.

_Botolf_.--That story I have heard! But his death was not the wish of the Norwegians.

(ASBJORN _and_ HAF, _and the men who carried out_ KOLBEIN, _come in again, leaving the door stand open. One sees armed men standing outside_. LADY HELGA _seats herself on the dais_.)

_Helga_.--How long shall my husband wait until you swear the truce to each other, Thorolf and Brand?

_Botolf_.--The Holy Church cannot confirm the apportionment of the districts which you have made, excepting the chieftains swear each other an everlasting truce.

_Broddi_.--The Holy Church owns not the Northland Quarter!

_Botolf_.--But God does; and do you for his sake as Kolbein and the lady bid you, because that promises best for peace.

_Helga_ (_very loud_).--Close the door! (_All look to the door and perceive the armed men; it is closed_.) Haf Bjarnason will pronounce for you the words of the truce. The truce which his namesake established between the men of Skagafirth and Grettir Asmundarson was well kept, and it redounded to their honor.

_Broddi_ (_aside to_ BRAND).--Agree to the truce! Sixty armed men are standing but a few feet away!

(BRAND KOLBEINSSON _places himself in the left foreground, with six of his men behind him_. HAF _behind him in the middle ground_. THOROLF _advances to the right foreground, posturing himself opposite_ BRAND.)

_Asbjorn_.--Are we to be witnesses, Thorolf?

_Thorolf_.--All those present shall be witnesses!

(ASBJORN _and five others arrange themselves behind him_.)

_Helga_.--In Oddi, at my father Sæmund's, I heard that those oaths were void which were made against one's free will.

_Thorolf_.--I shall swear a truce to Brand Kolbeinsson of my own free will.

_Helga_.--And you, kinsman Brand?

(BRAND _looks toward the door and says nothing_.)

_Helga_ (_stamps her foot on the floor of the dais, whereupon the door opens slowly, and swords and spears become visible_).--And you, Brand Kolbeinsson?

_Brand_.--I shall swear a truce to Thorolf with a willing mind. But what are the conditions, and for what offence the fine?

_Helga_.--Thorolf Bjarnason shall make atonement for having, in my hearing and in the presence of other men, given Brand Kolbeinsson a nickname; he shall pay for his offence with the ring which he wears on his arm and which weighs six ounces. Is this offer of reconciliation a good one?

_Brand and Thorolf_.--Indeed a good one!

_Helga_ (_taking a large ring off her arm and holding it between her fingers_).--Pronounce, then, the pledge of truce, Haf--according to our laws!

_Haf_ (_sets a little table between them and stands beside it. Receives the ring from_ THOROLF, _holds it in one hand, and a parchment in the other, and pronounces the pledge of truce in an impressive manner_).--Contention there has been between Brand Kolbeinsson and Thorolf Bjarnason. But now is this contention no more, a fine has been paid according to the decision of good and noble men, of full weight, and good metal, and handed over to him to whom it is due. But if contention there should arise again between them, then shall they settle by fee, and not by reddened steel. But if one of these parties become so bereft of his senses that he break this reconciliation, and pledge of truce, or becomes the contriver of the other's death, then shall he be driven from God, and from the commerce of all Christendom, as far as men pursue wolves, Christians visit churches, heathen men sacrifice in temples, mothers bear children, children say mother, fire burns, ships sail, shields flash, the sun shines, snow lies, pines grow, the falcon flies the long spring day, with a fair wind under both his wings. He shall shun churches and Christian people, the house of God and the houses of men, and the abodes of men, and every home but hell. (HAF _lays the ring on the parchment, which he holds between them. They lay each their right hand on the book_.) Both of you with your hands touch one book, and even on it lies the fine with which Thorolf atones for his offence, for himself and for his heirs, conceived or unconceived, born or unborn, baptized or unbaptized; and in return he receives from Brand Kolbeinsson assurances of eternal and everlasting truce, a truce which shall persist the while the earth lasts and men live. (_Silence_. BRAND KOLBEINSSON _takes the ring off the book and puts it on his arm, whilst_ HAF _lays the book on the table again_.) Now you, Brand Kolbeinsson and Thorolf Bjarnason, shall be men reconciled and agreeing, wherever you meet, whether on land or on sea, on ship or on ski, on sea or on horseback, on bench or on thwart; and if need be, divide between you oar and scoop, knife and piece of meat; shall be at one with each other as is father with son, or son with father. Join hands now (_they grasp each the other's hand_) and stand by your truce according to the will of Christ and all those men who now have heard your pledge of faith. May he have the grace of God who keeps the truce, but his wrath he who breaks it. Let this be a full reconciliation between you, and let us be witnesses who are present.

(THOROLF _approaches_ HELGA, _who gives him the ring she had been holding; He puts it on his arm, without anybody noticing it but her_. BISHOP BOTOLF _walks up to her. The ranks of the witnesses mix_, BRAND _and_ BRODDI _station themselves in the foreground_.)

_Botolf_.--A great work and one sorely needed have you performed to-day, my lady. Assuredly more than small good fortune it is to have reconciled two such men whom Kolbein the Young never could prevail upon to become reconciled, as we are told.

_Helga_ (_smiling_).--The granddaughter of Ion Loftsson of Oddi ought to have sufficient good fortune to reconcile by her sole efforts men who both are her friends.

_Brand_ (_aside to_ BRODDI).--May it never be avenged on Lady Helga to have cowed me by overwhelming force to promise an eternal truce to my worst foe.

_Broddi_ (_to_ BRAND).--But a short while will the hand rejoice over the blow!

(_Curtain_)