ghteyes in London town. Now, if thou seest him, I charge thee
straightly tell him this. Tell him that my father is dead, and my
brother Bjoern, who rules in his place, is a hard man, and has ever urged
me on to wed Ospakar, till at last, having no choice, I have consented
to it. And say to Eric that I grieve much and sorely, and that, though
we twain should never meet more, yet I shall always hold his memory
dear.'"

"It is not like Gudruda to speak thus," said Eric: "she had ever a stout
heart and these are craven words. Koll, I hold that thou liest; and, if
indeed I find it so, I'll wring the head from off thee!"

"Nay, Eric, I lie not. Wherefore should I lie? Hearken: thou hast not
heard all my tale. When the lady Gudruda had made an end of speaking
she drew something from her breast and gave it me, saying: 'Give this to
Eric, in witness of my words.'"

"Show me the token," said Eric.

Now, many years ago, when they were yet boy and girl, it chanced that
Eric had given to Gudruda the half of an ancient gold piece that he
had found upon the shore. He had given her half, and half he had kept,
wearing it next his heart. But he knew not this, for she feared to tell
him, that Gudruda had lost her half. Nor indeed had she lost it, for
Swanhild had taken the love-token and hidden it away. Now she brought it
forth for Koll to build his lies upon.

Then Koll drew out the half-piece from a leather purse and passed it to
him. Eric plunged his hand into his breast and found his half. He placed
the two side by side, while Swanhild watched him. Lo! they fitted well.

Then Eric laughed aloud, a hard and bitter laugh. "There will be
slaying," he cried, "before all this tale is told. Take thy fee and
begone, thou messenger of ill," and he cast the broken piece at Koll.
"For once thou hast spoken the truth."

Koll stooped, found the gold and went, leaving Brighteyes and Swanhild
face to face.

He hid his brow in his arms and groaned aloud. Softly Swanhild crept up
to him--softly she drew his hands away, holding them between her own.

"Heavy tidings, Eric," she said, "heavy tidings for thee and me! She is
a murderess who gave me birth and she has slain my own father--my father
and thy cousin Unna also. Gudruda is a traitress, a traitress fair and
false. I did ill to be born of such a woman; thou didst ill to put thy
faith in such a woman. Together let us weep, for our woe is equal."

"Ay, let us weep together," Eric answered