<i>Olaf the Saint, King in Norway; the slaying of Thorbiorn Tardy;
Grettir goes to Norway</i>.
Early the spring after came out a ship from Norway; and that was
before the Thing; these folk knew many things to tell, and first that
there was change of rulers in Norway, for Olaf Haraldson was come to
be king, and Earl Svein had fled the country in the spring after the
fight at Ness. Many noteworthy matters were told of King Olaf, and
this withal, that he received such men in the best of ways who were of
prowess in any deeds, and that he made such his men.
Thereat were many young men glad, and listed to go abroad, and when
Grettir heard the tidings he became much minded to sail out; for he,
like others, hoped for honour at the king's hands.
A ship lay in Goose-ere in Eyjafirth, therein Grettir got him a berth
and made ready for the voyage, nor had he yet much of faring-goods.
Now Asmund was growing very feeble with eld, and was well-nigh
bedridden; he and Asdis had a young son who was called Illugi, and was
the hopefullest of men; and, by this time, Atli tended all farming and
money-keeping, and this was deemed to better matters, because he was a
peaceable and foreseeing man.
Now Grettir went shipward, but in that same ship had Thorbiorn the
Tardy taken passage, before folk knew that Grettir would sail therein.
Now men would hinder Thorbiorn from sailing in the same ship with
Grettir, but Thorbiorn said that he would go for all that. He gat him
ready for the voyage out, and was somewhat late thereat, nor did he
come to the north to Goose-ere before the ship was ready for sea; and
before Thorbiorn fared from the west, Asmund the Greyhaired fell sick
and was bedridden.
Now Thorbiorn the Tardy came late one day down to the sand; men were
getting ready to go to table, and were washing their hands outside the
booths; but when Thorbiorn rode up the lane betwixt the booths, he
was greeted, and asked for tidings. He made as if there was nought
to tell, "Save that I deem that Asmund, the champion of Biarg, is now
dead."
Many men said that there where he went, departed a worthy goodman from
the world.
"But what brought it about?" said they.
He answered, "Little went to the death of that champion, for in the
chamber smoke was he smothered like a dog; nor is there loss therein,
for he was grown a dotard."
"Thou speakest marvellously of such a man," said they, "nor would
Grettir like thy words well, if he heard them."
"That must I bear," said Thorbiorn, "and higher must Grettir bear the
sword than he did last summer at Ramfirth-neck, if I am to tremble at
him."
Now Grettir heard full well what Thorbiorn said, and paid no heed
thereto while he let his tale run on; but when he had made an end,
then spake Grettir--
"That fate I foretell for thee, Tardy," said he, "that thou wilt not
die in chamber smoke, yet may be withal thou wilt not die of eld; but
it is strangely done to speak scorn of sackless men."
Thorbiorn said, "I have no will to hold in about these things, and
methinks thou didst not bear thyself so briskly when we got thee off
that time when the men of Meals beat thee like a neat's head."