in Iceland, seeing Coldback empty, crept down from the
fells and looked in. The carline saw him, and told him these tidings.
Then he went thence to find the other men. Having found them he told
them Eric's words, and a great gladness came upon them when they learned
that Brighteyes still lived, and was in Iceland. Then they gathered
food and gear, and rode away to the foot of Mosfell that is now called
Ericsfell.

Ospakar sat in the hall at Middalhof, near to the high seat. He was
fully armed, and a black helm with a raven's crest was on his head.
For, though he said nothing of it, not a little did he fear that Saevuna
spoke sooth--that her words would come true, and, before this day was
done, he and Eric should once more stand face to face. At his side
sat Gudruda the Fair, robed in white, a worked head-dress on her head,
golden clasps upon her breast and golden rings about her arms. Never had
she been more beautiful to see; but her face was whiter than her robes.
She looked with loathing on Blacktooth at her side, rough like a bear,
and hideous as a troll. But he looked on her with longing, and laughed
from side to side of his great mouth when he thought that at last he had
got her for his own.

"Ah, if Eric would but come, faithless though he be!--if Eric would
but come!" thought Gudruda; but no Eric came to save her. The guests
gathered fast, and presently Swanhild swept in with all her company,
wrapped about in her purple cloak. She came up to the high seat where
Gudruda sat, and bent the knee before her, looking on her with lovely
mocking face and hate in her blue eyes.

"Greeting, Gudruda, my sister!" she said. "When last we met I sat,
Atli's bride, where to-day thou sittest the bride of Ospakar. Then
Eric Brighteyes held thy hand, and little thou didst think of wedding
Ospakar. Now Eric is afar--so strangely do things come about--and
Blacktooth, Brighteyes' foe, holds that fair hand of thine."

Gudruda looked on her and turned whiter yet in her pain, but she
answered never a word.

"What! no word for me, sister?" said Swanhild. "And yet it is through me
that thou comest to this glad hour. It is through me that thou art rid
of Eric, and it is I who have given thee to the arms of mighty Ospakar.
No word of thanks for so great a service!--fie on thee, Gudruda! fie!"

Then Gudruda spoke: "Strange tales are told of thee and Eric, Groa's
daughter! I have done with Eric, but I have done with thee also. Thou