OF GRANI'S PRIDE
In the early morning Grani slept quietly at last, and the household of
Einar had peace. Then Ondott called Hallvard and Hallmund, and bade
them come with him. To the locked bed they went, but though the door
was still secure, no sign of those two cousins was to be found, nor
any way of their escape. And outside the wind had so drifted the snow
that no marks of feet were to be seen. Ondott and his men searched,
and came at last to the cove where men watched for the wreckage. He
asked if they had seen those two.
Thither had come, said the men, two whom they knew not, bearing
between them old Thurid the crone. Now at that hour a spar from the
ship had just come ashore, and in it was fixed a great bill, its blade
driven so deep into the wood that with all their might three men could
not draw it forth; they were about to hew it out with axes. Then the
taller of those two men came down to the shingle, and said naught to
Einar's men; but he laid hold of the bill and with one tug plucked it
forth from the spar, and went off brandishing it and muttering to
himself. Next the two took the old crone again, and went away.
Ondott and his men hurried on their track, and when they had passed
down into the hollows, there the marks of feet were found, pointing
straight to the little hut on the hillside where Asdis dwelt, a league
away. So Ondott took more men, and went thither, and knocked on the
door. Within were Asdis, and Frodi, and the carline Thurid; but no
sign of Rolf was to be seen. Frodi sat by the fire and handled the
great bill, and Thurid lay muffled on the floor as she was wont; there
was a smell of cooking, while very pleased did Asdis seem.
"Where is thy son?" asked Ondott.
"Find him who can," answered Asdis.
They searched that place and found him not, and there was no room to
have hidden a man. So Ondott was angry, and he said to Frodi: "Give us
that bill, which is Einar's, since it came ashore on his beaches."
Frodi answered mildly: "I pray thee leave it me." But as he spoke he
thrust the butt of the bill down upon the floor, where the earth was
tramped as hard as any stone; and the butt made a great dent in the
floor. Ondott thought it best not to meddle with him, and went home
empty-handed.
Grani lay two days sick and weary, but then he was himself again.
Neither Einar nor any of his men told him how he came ashore, but
spoke as if they had saved him. Einar sent men everywhere to find Rolf
and seize him; yet in all the dales no man had seen or heard of him.
So when Grani asked if others got ashore from the wreck, Einar
answered: "That outlaw Rolf, and his cousin Frodi. And Frodi is at his
smithy again, there not far from the ferry to Hvamm."
"Where is Rolf?" Grani asked.
"No man knows save Frodi," answered Einar, "and he sayeth not."
Then spoke Grani, lying on his bed. "Father, Rolf told a hard tale
against thee in the Orkneys: how thou slewest his father foully, and
now holdest his land in spite of right. Now tell me the truth of all
this, ere I accept aught from thee."
Then Einar was greatly frightened lest Grani should learn the truth
and despise him; he made as if he were offended, and went away,
saying: "And canst thou think that of me?" But when he was out of
Grani's sight, he sought Ondott in haste, and asked him what he should
do.
Quoth Ondott: "Leave all to me. I will settle this." So he went to
Grani, and Einar with him. Einar said: "I have brought Ondott to tell
the truth, for thou wilt better believe some one else, speaking in my
defence."
Then Ondott told a long tale of Hiarandi, how he was overbearing and
insolent, and preyed on Einar's crops and cattle. Moreover Hiarandi
was a dangerous and violent man, going always armed, so that one day
when he was in the act of theft and Einar's men were about to seize
him--but Einar had commanded not to harm him--Hiarandi had so attacked
those men that to save their own lives they had slain him. And Rolf
had no right to the land, being outlawed at the Althing.
"Now tell me," said Ondott, "when ye twain were together in Orkney,
did not Rolf offer peace if thou wouldst but get him this homestead
again?"
"Twice he did that," answered Grani.
"See now," cried Ondott, "the guile that is in him!"
Then Grani believed all that Ondott had said, and thought evil of
Rolf, and craved his father's pardon. Einar forgave him. And when
Grani was well again Einar showered him with kindnesses, for fearing
lest his son should learn evil of him he did all that he might to earn
Grani's love, sparing neither words, deeds, nor money. Einar gave the
finest of clothes, and horses, and attendants, so that not with Ar the
Peacock had Grani had such state. Wherefore he took to himself such
pride as had been his in the Orkneys.
He went abroad among the Iceland folk, and saw that they were a simple
people, each man living upon his own farm and dressing in plain
clothes, loving direct speech and homely ways. So Grani missed the
best that was in the people, but thought them mean-spirited. He
dressed always in colored clothes, and had attendants with him, and
expected such respect from men as he had received when he was Ar's
Fosterling. Now at Cragness honor was always showed him; but the
neighbors of Einar were to Grani blunt of speech, sometimes biting;
and he loved them little, thinking them rough.
Two more matters troubled Grani. For he had little happiness in his
sister, who seemed almost always downcast, and as if disappointed in
him. And ever deep within his heart lay that love of his for Rolf, nor
could he forget their comradeship, nor the dangers they had together
borne. He took no great satisfaction, therefore, to be a princeling on
his land, but away from it to be treated roughly, and always to have
that desire to see his friend again. Yet he never made to himself any
confession of fault, believing Rolf in the wrong, both toward himself
and toward Einar. So he hardened his heart and increased his outward
pride, even while he was ever on the watch for news of Rolf.
Now one day he rode abroad with Ondott and his men, and they came to
the hut on the hillside where dwelt Asdis the mother of Rolf. Summer
was come; Asdis sat out of doors by the spring combing flax, with
Thurid cowled by her side. No welcome gave Asdis to them, but asked
their errand.
"To learn whether thou hast news of thy son," Ondott said. Now that
was not true, for they came thither by accident, having hunted higher
up in the hills. But Grani said nothing, wishing to learn of Rolf.
"Ever thou liest in wait for blood," answered Asdis. "But ask not me
for news of Rolf. Rather of those who have been near the isle of
Drangey shouldst thou inquire, if none resembling my son have been
seen on the island-top; and whether he, and Grettir the Strong, and
Illugi his brother, are likely to be won thence against their wills."
"Now," cried Ondott, "I thank thee for this news. And one in that
land-side, Thorstein Angle, he is my cousin; he will let me know if
ever thy son comes thence."
"If Thorstein Angle is thy cousin," said Asdis, "that shows the saying
true, that all rogues are akin. But if thou nearest aught from that
region, I pray thee let me know if my son is well."
Now all the time Thurid sat there, and combed no flax, nor said a
word. "And yet," said Ondott, "I hear that the woman works well at
times."
"Speak not so loud in her presence," said Asdis, "for methinks now she
is tranced. Mayhap when she comes to she will prophesy and tell me of
my son."
"Nay," said Ondott, "the woman is clean daft, so they say, ever since
she left our house to wander in the cold. Now who has split the wood
that lieth here, and piled it against the house? For thou hast not
done it."
"I will tell thee," said Asdis, and lowered her voice. "On that night
the frost got in her brain, mayhap; for she was ever strange, but now
she is little short of marvellous. Sometimes she works with a man's
strength; and at such times she splits wood, or carries water, or
spades here in my little field. I have done no heavy work since she
came. But she is very silent, nor hath any save me and Frodi seen her
face or heard her voice. Such is her mood."
"Now let us ride hence," said Ondott to Grani. "Asdis, I wish thee joy
of thy mad-woman."
"Better live with her than alone," quoth Asdis.
So those men rode away, and they spread abroad the news that Rolf was
gone from Broadfirth dales, for he was in Drangey with Grettir the
Strong, and none could draw them from that isle. Steep were its rocks
and high, to be scaled only by ladders, and three might hold the place
against three hundred.
Word was also spread about of Thurid the crone: how she had fits of
man's strength, and did work for Asdis. Men saw her going with great
strides, or working in the field; at a distance she seemed taller than
before, and bigger across the shoulders; but when one came near she
shrank within herself. Moreover no one heard her voice now, save when
she mumbled hoarsely.
Now on another day Grani rode to the settlement at Hvammferry, and on
his way homeward came by the smithy of Frodi. Ondott was in his
company, with Hallvard and Hallmund; they proposed that they should
have sport with the smith, and take from him his bill.
"Sport mayest thou try," said Grani, "but beware lest it turn out
against thee."
"He is soft as custard," quoth Ondott.
"Otherwise was he in the Orkneys," replied Grani. But for all that
Ondott rode to the smithy-door, and called Frodi to come out. He came,
and leaned on the handle of his hammer, which was so big that no man
had wielded it since he went away. He asked what they would of him.
Said Ondott: "Here is Grani Earl's Fosterling to require something of
thee."
Frodi said to him: "Was then Grani fostered by the Earl?" And he fixed
Grani with his eye; but that one blushed and said naught. For he knew
that his father had boasted of his fostering with the Earl, and never
had Grani said nay thereto.
Asked Ondott, "Was he not?"
Frodi said, "He came last from the Earl's court." So Frodi, who might
have spoken honor away from Grani, made him feel more shame than if
the truth had been said.
"Now," said Ondott, "bring forth the bill which is Einar's, and
deliver it to us."
"Asks Grani that?" Frodi replied.
Grani said, "I ask nothing." And he spurred his horse a few rods away.
Frodi went within the smithy and brought out the bill, but set also a
helm on his head. Said he: "Here is the bill for whomsoever wishes
it."
But Grani said over his shoulder, "Leave the bill with him. No use is
it to us, for we have none that can wield it."
Then Ondott was wroth that Grani did not support him in that claim,
and he said: "Now, Frodi, I call to mind that ere thou wentest away,
thou didst assault me here in this smithy. Outlaw will I make thee
therefor."
Frodi made a sudden step, and behold! there he was within reach of
Ondott, holding the bill in such wise that he might have thrust Ondott
through, albeit Frodi neither raised the weapon aloft nor brandished
it. He said:
"Now for the love which has always been between us, be so kind as to
speak me free of guilt in that matter, when I drew weapon on thee."
In a fright Ondott stretched forth his hand and spoke Frodi free of
that guilt. So Frodi suddenly shifted the bill in his hand, and the
point touched the ground; none who had not looked close would have
supposed any threat had been made. Said Frodi: "See how kind Ondott is
to me, in asking no atonement, being in no danger from me. Witness ye
all that I am clear in that matter."
Grani smiled and rode away, and the men next; Ondott followed,
mightily vexed that that simple one had so bested him.
Now the time came for men to ride to the Althing, and with all state
Einar rode thither with his son. Then for the first time Grani saw the
power of that land which he had despised, for chiefs met there who
were greater in riches than Orkney thanes, having great followings,
all richly dressed. But all were obedient to the law; and a wonderful
thing that was, to see men of such power yielding in lawsuits to
lesser men, and bringing no cases to weapons. And Grani learned that
his father was of no consequence at all in that place, for men passed
him by and gave him no honor. Yet for all that Grani's pride grew, and
he said that men should some day recognize him there. And he rode home
moodily behind his company.
Now as men rode again toward the west, Grani saw one man whom he had
oft remarked at the Thing: Kolbein the son of Burning-Flosi, destined
to be a leader among men. Grani wished friendship with him greatly.
And Kolbein rode to Grani and said: "Keeps thy father his harvest
feast this year as before, asking company thereto?"
"Yea," answered Grani. "Wilt thou come?"
"Gladly will I come," answered Kolbein, "and will bring friends with
me, if so be we shall be welcome."
"Welcome will ye all be," said Grani, and rode home cheered.
Now when they were come to Cragness, Helga met them at the door and
welcomed them in. They asked if aught had happened in their absence.
Said she, "Nothing save that the carline Thurid was here yestreen, and
I am the first that has heard her speak since she left here in the
spring."
They asked what were her words.
"I was here alone in the hall," Helga said, "for all the women were
making cheeses in the out-bower. And Thurid came in and shuffled about
the place, looking at things. I bade her be seated, for I would bring
her milk and oat-cake; but when I brought them she had the great bow
in her hands, and looked at it but would not eat. So I set the food
away again; and when I returned she had the bow and the quiver, and
was near the door as if to take them away. She said nothing when I
asked what she did with those; so I stood in her way, thinking I was
stronger than she. With one hand she set me aside, and I might resist
her no more than if she were a man. So she bore the bow and arrows
from the house, and I thought they were gone; but on a sudden she was
back again, and laid them on the bench. And she said in a deep voice
not like her own:
"'Not with women do I strive.'
"Then with great steps she went out of the hall, and came not again."
Those three, Einar and Ondott and Grani, looked at each other with
alarm. For if that bow, left in the ward of women, had thus been
taken, men could know neither the day nor the hour when Rolf might
come, and make the shot at the oak-tree before witnesses, when all
would be over with the house of Einar. And ere aught was said Einar
took the bow and bestowed it under a settle, where it was well hid.
Then they praised their fortune that they had it still.
So all sat down to meat, and ate gladly, for they had journeyed days
long from the Thing-field. Then night fell, and they spoke of many
things; at last Einar asked his son: "What said to thee Kolbein son of
Flosi, there ere our roads parted?"
"He asked me," answered Grani, "whether we hold the harvest feast as
last year, and if he and his company would be welcome."
Says Einar, rubbing his hands: "Now the great folk come to alliance
with us; and when a few chiefs have visited here, then thou mayest
count thyself their equal in all things, even as thou art in wealth.
Of course thou badst him come?"
"That I did," says Grani.
So Ondott praised him. "Men have marked thee, there at the Thing, and
seek to ally themselves with thee."
But Helga, who had listened, burst into tears.
"What is it," asks Grani, "that makes thee weep?"
Helga dashed the tears from her eyes, and stood before those two, her
father and her brother. "Much had I hoped," says she, "that wicked
doings would cease in this house--for to mock the dead and the
unfortunate is wicked. And if ye hold the feast as last year, and
shoot at the boundary as then, laughing at Hiarandi's fortune, then ye
tempt your own fate, for such deeds go not unpunished long."
"Now," asked Grani of his father, "hast thou so mocked that luckless
man's fate?" Einar said he had, and it was seen that Grani thought
that act far too strong.
"Yet see," said Ondott, "what friends that brings you now, for from
the house of Flosi comes this offer of friendship."
Now as they spoke someone knocked at the door, and there was a
housecarle of Snorri the Priest.
"My master," said he, "passes on his way home from the Althing, and
sends me to ask: hold ye your harvest feast as last year, and will he
and his company be welcome?"
"Oh, hold it not!" cried Helga.
Then Einar turned to Grani. "The mightiest man in Broadfirth dales
offers now his friendship, and thy future is sure. Shall we not hold
the feast?"
Grani turns to the housecarle of Snorri, and says: "Beg thy master to
come!"