ilst the dreams were unravelled, but said not a word
till Gest came to the end of his speech. [Sidenote: Gest and Gudrun
part] Then said Gudrun, "You would have fairer prophecies in this matter
if my delivery of it into your hands had warranted; have my thanks all
the same for unravelling the dreams. But it is a fearful thing to think
of, if all this is to come to pass as you say." Gudrun then begged Gest
would stay there the day out, and said that he and Osvif would have many
wise things to say between them. He answered, "I must ride on now as I
have made up my mind. But bring your father my greeting and tell him
also these my words, that the day will come when there will be a shorter
distance between Osvif's and my dwellings, and then we may talk at ease,
if then we are allowed to converse together." Then Gudrun went home and
Gest rode away. [Sidenote: Gest visits Olaf] Gest met a servant of
Olaf's by the home-field fence, who invited Gest to Herdholt, at the
bidding of Olaf. Gest said he would go and see Olaf during the day, but
would stay (the night) at Thickshaw. The servant returned home and told
Olaf so. Olaf had his horse brought and rode with several men out to
meet Gest. He and Gest met up at Lea-river. Olaf greeted him well and
asked him in with all his followers. Gest thanked him for the
invitation, and said he would ride up to the homestead and have a look
and see how he was housed, but he must stay with Armod. Gest tarried but
a little while, yet he saw over the homestead and admired it and said,
"No money has been spared for this place." Olaf rode away with Gest to
the Salmon-river. The foster-brothers had been swimming there during the
day, and at this sport the sons of Olaf mostly took the lead. There were
many other young men from the other houses swimming too. Kjartan and
Bolli leapt out of the water as the company rode down and were nearly
dressed when Olaf and Gest came up to them. Gest looked at these young
men for a while, and told Olaf where Kjartan was sitting as well as
Bolli, and then Gest pointed his spear shaft to each one of Olaf's sons
and named by name all of them that were there. But there were many other
handsome young men there who had just left off swimming and sat on the
river-bank with Kjartan and Bolli. Gest said he did not discover the
family features of Olaf in any of these young men. Then said Olaf:
"Never is there too much said about your wits, Gest, knowing, as you
do, men you h