OF FLOSI AND THE BURNERS.
Now Flosi spoke to the Burners, his companions--
"It will no longer serve our turn to sit still, for now we shall have to
think of our going abroad and of our fines, and of fulfilling our
atonement as bravely as we can, and let us take a passage wherever it
seems most likely to get one."
They bade him see to all that. Then Flosi said--
"We will ride east to Hornfirth; for there that ship is laid up, which
is owned by Eyjolf nosy, a man from Drontheim, but he wants to take to
him a wife here, and he will not get the match made unless he settles
himself down here. We will buy the ship of him, for we shall have many
men and little freight. The ship is big and will take us all."
Then they ceased talking of it.
But a little after they rode east, and did not stop before they came
east to Bjornness in Hornfirth, and there they found Eyjolf, for he had
been there as a guest that winter.
There Flosi and his men had a hearty welcome, and they were there the
night. Next morning Flosi dealt with the captain for the ship, but he
said he would not be hard to sell the ship if he could get what he
wanted for her. Flosi asked him in what coin he wished to be paid for
her; the Easterling says he wanted land for her near where he then was.
Then Eyjolf told Flosi all about his dealings with his host, and Flosi
says he will pull an oar with him, so that his marriage bargain might be
struck, and buy the ship of him afterwards. The Easterling was glad at
that. Flosi offered him land at Borgarhaven, and now the Easterling
holds on with his suit to his host when Flosi was by, and Flosi threw in
a helping word, so that the bargain was brought about between them.
Flosi made over the land at Borgarhaven to the Easterling, but shook
hands on the bargain for the ship. He got also from the Easterling
twenty hundreds in wares, and that was also in their bargain for the
land.
Now Flosi rode back home. He was so beloved by his men that their wares
stood free to him to take either on loan or gift, just as he chose.
He rode home to Swinefell, and was at home a while.
Then Flosi sent Kol Thorstein's son and Gunnar Lambi's son east to
Hornfirth. They were to be there by the ship, and to fit her out, and
set up booths, and sack the wares, and get all things together that were
needful.
Now we must tell of the sons of Sigfus how they say to Flosi that they
will ride west to Fleetlithe to set their houses in order, and get wares
thence, and such other things as they needed. "Kari is not there now to
be guarded against," they say, "if he is in the north country as is
said."
"I know not," answers Flosi, "as to such stories, whether there be any
truth in what is said of Kari's journeyings; methinks, we have often
been wrong in believing things which are nearer to learn than this. My
counsel is that ye go many of you together, and part as little as ye
can, and be as wary of yourselves as ye may. Thou, too, Kettle of the
Mark, shalt bear in mind that dream which I told thee, and which thou
prayedst me to hide; for many are those in thy company who were then
called."
"All must come to pass as to man's life," said Kettle, "as it is
foredoomed; but good go with thee for thy warning."
Now they spoke no more about it.
After that the sons of Sigfus busked them and those men with them who
were meant to go with them. They were eight in all, and then they rode
away, and ere they went they kissed Flosi, and he bade them farewell,
and said he and some of those who rode away would not see each other
more. But they would not let themselves be hindered. They rode now on
their way, and Flosi said that they should take his wares in Middleland,
and carry them east, and do the same in Landsbreach and Woodcombe.
After that they rode to Skaptartongue, and so on the fell, and north of
Eyjafell Jokul, and down into Godaland, and so down into the woods in
Thorsmark.
Bjorn of the Mark caught sight of them coming, and went at once to meet
them.
Then they greeted each other well, and the sons of Sigfus asked after
Kari Solmund's son.
"I met Kari," said Bjorn, "and that is now very long since; he rode
hence north on Goose-sand, and meant to go to Gudmund the powerful, and
methought if he were here now, he would stand in awe of you, for he
seemed to be left all alone."
Grani Gunnar's son said--
"He shall stand more in awe of us yet before we have done with him, and
he shall learn that as soon as ever he comes within spearthrow of us;
but as for us, we do not fear him at all, now that he is all alone."
Kettle of the Mark bade them be still, and bring out no big words.
Bjorn asked when they would be coming back.
"We shall stay near a week in Fleetlithe," said they; and so they told
him when they should be riding back on the fell.
With that they parted.
Now the sons of Sigfus rode to their homes, and their households were
glad to see them. They were there near a week.
Now Bjorn comes home and sees Kari, and told him all about the doings of
the sons of Sigfus, and their purpose.
Kari said he had shown in this great faithfulness to him, and Bjorn
said--
"I should have thought there was more risk of any other man's failing in
that than of me if I had pledged my help or care to any one."
"Ah," said his mistress, "but you may still be bad and yet not be so bad
as to be a traitor to thy master."
Kari stayed there six nights after that.