, and she crept away
and hid herself behind the hangings of the hall. The sword sped along
point first, it rushed like a spear through the air. It fell on the
hangings, piercing them, piercing the heart of Thorunna, who cowered
behind them, so that with one cry she sank dead to earth, slain by her
lover's hand.

Now when men saw that Ospakar once more held Whitefire in his
hand--Whitefire that Brighteyes had won from him--they called aloud that
it was an omen. The sword of Blacktooth had come back to Blacktooth and
now Eric would surely be slain of it!

Eric sprang from the ground. He heard the shouts and saw Whitefire
blazing in Ospakar's hand.

"Now thou art weaponless, fly! Brighteyes; fly!" cried some.

Gudruda's cheek grew white with fear, and for a moment Eric's heart
failed him.

"Fly not!" roared Skallagrim. "Bjoern tripped thee. Yet hast thou half a
shield!"

Ospakar rushed on, and Whitefire flickered over Eric's helm. Down it
came and shore one wing from the helm. Again it shone and fell, but
Brighteyes caught the blow on his broken shield.

Then, while men waited to see him slain, Eric gave a great war-shout and
sprang forward.

"Thou art mad!" shouted the folk.

"Ye shall see! Ye shall see!" screamed Skallagrim.

Again Ospakar smote and again Eric caught the blow; and behold! he
struck back, thrusting with the point of the shorn shield straight at
the face of Ospakar.

"_Peck! Eagle; peck!_" cried Skallagrim.

Once more Whitefire shone above him. Eric rushed in beneath the
sword, and with all his mighty strength thrust the buckler-point at
Blacktooth's face. It struck fair and full, and lo! the helm of Ospakar
burst asunder. He threw wide his giant arms, then fell as a pine falls
upon the mountain edge. He fell back, and he lay still.

But Eric, stooping over him, took Whitefire from his hand.

XXV

HOW THE FEAST ENDED

For a moment there was silence in the hall, for men had known no such
fight as this.

"Why, then, do ye gape?" laughed Skallagrim, pointing with the spear.
"Dead is Ospakar!--slain by the swordless man! Eric Brighteyes hath
slain Ospakar Blacktooth!"

Then there went up such a shout as never was heard in the hall of
Middalhof.

Now when Gudruda knew that Ospakar was sped, she looked at Eric as he
rested, leaning on his sword, and her heart was filled with awe and
love. She sprang from her seat, and, coming to where Brighteyes stood,
she greeted him.

"W