FOSTER-BROTHERS AND SLAIN
Asmund Longhair was in Bjarg whilst Grettir was away, and was much
respected as a bondi in Midfjord. Thorkell Krafla had died during
Grettir's absence. Thorvald Asgeirsson dwelt in Ass in Vatnsdal and was
a great chief. He was the father of Dalla who married Isleif, afterwards
bishop in Skalaholt. Asmund had great support from Thorvald in legal
suits and in other matters.
There grew up in Asmund's household a youth named Thorgils Maksson, a
near kinsman of his. Thorgils was a strong man of his body and made
much money under Asmund's guidance; he dwelt at Laekjamot, on a property
which Asmund had bought for him. Thorgils was a good manager and went to
Strandir every year, where he obtained whales and other things. He was
a man of great courage, and went as far as the eastern Almenningar.
At that time the two foster-brothers Thorgeir Havarsson and Thormod
Coalbrow-Skald were very much to the front; they kept a boat, gathering
what they wanted from the country around, and had not the reputation of
dealing fairly.
One summer Thorgils Maksson found a whale at the Almenningar and went
out at once with his men to cut it up. When the two foster-brothers
heard of it they went there too, and at first it seemed as if matters
would be settled peaceably. Thorgils proposed that they should share
equally that part of the whale which was yet uncut, but they wanted
to have all the uncut part or else to share the entire whale. Thorgils
positively refused to give up any portion of what had already been cut.
They began to use threats and at last took to their arms and fought.
Thorgeir and Thorgils fought each of them desperately together without
either prevailing. After a long and furious battle Thorgils fell slain
by Thorgeir. In another place Thormod was fighting with the followers
of Thorgils, and he overcame them, killing three. Those who remained of
Thorgils' party went off after he fell to Midfjord, taking his body
with them and feeling that they had suffered a great loss. The
foster-brothers took possession of the whole whale. The affair is
referred to in the memorial poem which Thormod composed upon Thorgeir.
News of the death of his kinsman was brought to Asmund Longhair, on whom
as nearest of kin the blood-feud devolved. He went to the spot, called
witnesses to testify to the wounds and brought the case before the
All-Thing, which appeared to be the proper course in this case where
the act had been committed in another quarter. Some time was passed over
this.