Chapter 25 of Eric Brideyes. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Brett Downey. Eric Brideyes by H. Ryder Haggard. Chapter 25. How the feast ended. For a moment there was silence in the hall, for men had known no such fight as this. Why then do ye gape? laughs Scalagrim, pointing with the spear. Dead is Aspecker, slain by the swordless man. Eric Brideyes hath slain Aspecker black tooth. Then there went up such a shout as never was heard in the hall of Middlehoff. Now, when Gadruda knew that Aspecker was sped, she looked at Eric as he rested, leaning on his sword, and her heart was filled with awe and love. She sprang from her seat, and, coming to where Brideyes stood, she greeted him. Welcome to Iceland, Eric, she said. Welcome, thou glory of the south. Now Swanhild grew wild, for she saw that Eric was about to take Gadruda in his arms and kiss her before all men. Save yorn, she cried. Will thou suffer that this outlaw, having slain Aspecker, should lead Gadruda hence as wife? He shall never do so while I live, cried yorn, nearly mad with rage. This is my command, sister, that thou dost see Eric no more. Save yorn, answered Gadruda, did I dream, or did I indeed see thee thrust the broken buckler before Eric's feet, so that he stumbled on it and fell? That thou sawest, lady, said Scalagrim, for I saw it also. Now Bjorn grew white in his anger. He did not answer Gadruda, but called aloud to his men to slay Eric and Scalagrim. Gizura called also to the folk of Aspecker, and Swanhild to those who came with her. Then Gadruda fled back to her seat, but Eric cried aloud also, Ye who love me, cleave to me! Suffer it not that Brideyes be cut down of northerners and outland men. Hear me, atly's folk, hear me, Carls of Coldback, and of Middlehoff! And so greatly did many love Eric, that half of the thralls of Bjorn, and almost all of the company of Swanhild, who had been atly's shieldmen, and Brideyes' comrades, drew swords shouting, Eric! Eric! But the Carls of Aspecker came on to make an end of him. Bjorn saw, and, drawing sword, smote at Brideyes, taking him unawares, but Scalagrim caught the blow upon his axe, and before Bjorn could smite again, white fire was aloft, and down fell Bjorn dead. That was the end of Bjorn, Asmund's son. Thou hast tweaked thy last, rat! What did I tell thee? cried Scalagrim. Take Bjorn's shield, and back to back, Lord, for here comes foes. There goes one! answered Eric, pointing to the door. Now, Hall of Lithdale slunk through the doorway, Hall the Liar, who cut the Grappinal chain, for he wished to see the last of Scalagrim, but the Berserk still held Eric's spear in his hand. He whirled at aloft, and it hissed through the air. The aim was good, for, as he crept away, the spear struck Hall between neck and shoulder, pinning him to the doorpost, and there the Liar died. Now the weasel is nailed to the beam, said Scalagrim. Hall of Lithdale, what did I promise thee? Guard thy head and my back, quote Eric, blows fall! Now men, smoted Eric and Scalagrim, nor did they spare to smite and turn. And, as foes fell before him, Eric stepped one pace forwards towards the door, and Scalagrim, who, back to back with him, held off those who pressed behind, took one step rearwards. Thus a foe for every step they won their way down the long hall. Fierce raged the fray around them. For, mad with hate and drink and the lust of fight, Swanhild spoke, Eric's friends, remembering the words of Atly, fell on Ospeckers, and the people of Bjorn fell on each other, brother on brother and father on son. Nor might the fray be stayed. The boards were overthrown, dead men lay among the meats and mead, and the blood of freemen, lord and thrall, ran down the floor. Everywhere through the dusky hall glittered the sheen of flashing swords, and rose the clang of war. Darts clove the air like tongues of flame, and the clamor of battle beat against the roof. Blinded of the norns who brought these things to pass, men sought no mercy, and they gave none, but smote and slew till few were left to slay. And still, Gadruda sat in her bride seat, and, with eyes fixed in horror, watched the waxing of the war. Near to her stood Swanhild, marking all things with a fierce-set face, and calling down curses on her folk, who, one in all, cried, Eric, Eric! And swept the thralls of Ospeckers as corn as swept of the sickle. And there, nigh to the door, pale of face and beautiful to see, Golden Eric clove his way, and with him went black scallogram. Terrible was the flame of white fire, as he flicked aloft, like the leaven in the cloud. Terrible was the flare of white fire, but more terrible was the light of Eric's eyes, for they seemed to flame in his head, and wherever that fire fell, it lighted men the way to death. White fire sung and flickered, and crashed the axe of scallogram. And still, through the press of war, they won their way. Now Gizour stands before them, spear aloft, and white fire leaps up to meet him. Lo, he turns and flies! The cowered son of Ospecker does not seek the fate of Ospecker. The door is won, they stand without but little harmed, while women wail aloud. To horse, cried scallogram, to horse ere I luck fail us. There is no luck in this, gasped Eric, for I have slain many men, and among them is Bjorn, the brother of her whom I would make my bride. Better won such fight than many brides, said scallogram, shaking his red axe. We have won great glory this day, bright eyes, and Ospecker is dead, slain by a swordless man. Now Eric and scallogram ran to their horses, none hindering them, and, mounting, rode towards Mosfell. All that evening and all the night they rode, and at morning they came across the black sand to Mosfell's slopes that are by the Hekla. Here they rested, and, taking off their armor, washed themselves in the stream. For they were very weary, and foul with blood and wounds. When they had finished washing, and had buckled on their harness again, scallogram, peering across the plain with his hawk's eyes, saw men riding fast towards them. Those are soon afoot, lord, he said, I thought we had stayed their hunger for a while. Would that I might stay mine, quote Eric, I am weary, and unfit for fight. I still have strength for one or two, said scallogram, and then good night. But these are no foes, they are of the cold-back folk, the Carlin has kept her word. Then Eric was glad, and presently six men, headed by John his thrall, the same man who had watched on Mosfell when Eric went up to slay the bazaarck, rode to them and greeted them. Bagger women, said John, whom they had met at Ran River, had told them of the death of Ospecker, and of the great slaying at Middelhoff, and they would know if the tidings were true. It is true, John, said Eric, but first give us food, if ye have it, for we are hungered and spent, when we have eaten we will speak. So they led up a pack horse, and from it took stockfish and smoked meat, of which Eric and scallogram ate heartily, till their strength came back to them. Then Eric spoke, Comrades, he said, I am an outlawed man, and, though I have not sought it, much blood is on my head.  Nor may the matter stay here, for Ghazur, black toothed son, yet lives, and Bjorn has kin in the south, and Swanield will buy friends with gold, and all of these will set on me to slay me, so that at the last I die by the sword. No need for that, said scallogram. Our vengeance is wrought, and now, as before, the sea is open. I think that a welcome awaits us in London. Now Ghadruda is widowed before she was fully wed, said Eric, therefore I bide an outlawed man here in Iceland. I go hence no more, though it be death to stay, unless indeed Ghadruda the fair goes with me. It will be death then, said scallogram, and the swords are forged that we shall feel. The odds are too heavy, Lord. May hap, answered Eric, no man may flee his fate, and I shall not altogether grieve when mine finds me. Harkin, comrades, I go up to Mosfell height, and there I stay, till those be found who can drag me from my hole. But this is my counsel to you, that ye lead me to my doom, for I am an unlucky man who always chooses the wrong road. That will not I, said scallogram. Nor we, said Eric's folk, swan-hilled holds cold back, and we are driven to the fells. To the fells then we will go with thee, Eric bright eyes, and become cave-dwellers and outlaws for thy sake. Fear not, thou shalt still find many friends. I did not look for such a thing at your hands, said Eric, but stormy waters show how the boat is built. May no bad luck come to you from your good fellowship, and now let us to our nest.  Till at length they came to that secret dale which scallogram had once shown to Eric. Here they turned the horses loose to feed, and, going forward on foot, reached the dark and narrow pass that bright eyes had trod when he sought for the berserk foe. Scallogram led the way along it, then came Eric and the rest. One by one they stepped on to the giddy point of rock, and, catching at the birch bush, entered the hole. So they gained the platform and the great cave beyond, and they found that no man had set foot there since the day when Eric had striven with scallogram. For there on the rock, rotten with the weather, lay that half of wood which bright eyes had hewed from the axe of scallogram, and in the cave were many things beside as the berserk had left them. So they took up their dwelling in the cave, Eric, Scallogram, and the six cold-backed men, and there they dwelt many months. But Eric sent out his men one at a time and got together food and a store of sheepskins and other needful things. For he knew this well that Gazour and Swanhilt would before long come up against them, and, if they could not take them by force, would set themselves to watch the mountain path and starve them out. When Eric and Scallogram rode away from Middlehoff, the fight still raged fiercely in the hall, and nothing but death might stay it. The minds of men were mad, and they smote one another and slew each other, till at length, of all that marriage company, few were left unharmed except Gazour, Swanhilt, and Gadruda. For the serving thralls and women folk had fled the hall and with them some peaceful men. Then Gadruda spoke as one in a dream. Savuna's prophecy was true, she said. Red was the marriage feast of Hasmund, my father. Reder has been the marriage feast of Ospecker. She saw the hall of Middlehoff, one gore of blood, and lo, it is so. Look upon thy work, Swanhilt. And she pointed to the piled-up dead.  Swanhilt laughed aloud. I think it's a merry sight, she cried. The marriage feast of Hasmund, our father, was red, and thy marriage feast, Gadruda, has been redder. Wood that thy blood and the blood of Eric ran with the blood of Bjorn in Ospecker. That tale must yet be told, Gadruda. There shall be binding on of hell-shoes at Middlehoff. But I bind them not. My task is still to come. For I will live to fasten the hell-shoes on the feet of Eric, and on thy feet, Gadruda. At the least I have brought about this much, that thou canst scarcely wed Eric the outlaw. For with his own hand he slew Bjorn our brother, and because of this I count all that death as nothing. Thou canst not mate with bright eyes, lest the wide wounds of Bjorn thy brother should take tongues and cry thy shame from sea to sea. Gadruda made no answer, but sat as one carved in stone. Then Swanhild spoke again, Let us away to the north, Ghazur. There to gather strength to make an end of Eric. Say, will thou help us, Gadruda? The blood feud for the death of Bjorn is thine.  Nay, before thou goest listen, Swanhild, for there is that in my heart which tells me I shall never look again upon thy face.  It may well chance that thy wickedness will win. It may well chance that thou wilt crown thy crimes with my slaying and the slaying of the man who loves me. But I tell thee this, traitorous, murderous as thou art, that here the tale ends not. Not by death, Swanhild, shall thou escape the deeds of life. There they shall rise up against thee, and there every shame that thou hast worked, every sin that thou hast sinned, and every soul that thou hast brought to hell as halls, shall come to haunt thee and to drive thee on from age to age. That witchcraft which thou lovest shall mesh thee, shadows shall bewilder thee. From the bowl of empty longings thou shall drink and drink, and not be satisfied. Yea, lust shall mock and madden thee. Thou shalt ride the winds, thou shalt sail the seas, but thou shalt find no harbour, and never shalt thou set foot upon a shore of peace.  Seek thy desire, and finding lose. Work thy evil, and winning fail. I yet shall triumph, I yet shall trample thee, and, in a place to come, with Eric at my side, I shall make a mock of Swanhild the murderous, Swanhild the liar, and the wanton, and the witch. Now get thee gone! Swanhild heard. She looked up at Kedruda's face, and it was a light as with a fire. She strove to answer, but no words came. Then Groa's daughter turned and went, and with her went Gizour. Now women and thralls came in and drew out the wounded, and those who still breathed from among the dead, taking them to the temple. They bore away the body of Ospecker also, but they left the rest. All night long Kedruda sat in the bride's seat. There she sat in the silver summer midnight, looking on the slain who were strewn about the great hall. All night she sat alone in the bride's seat, thinking, ever thinking. How then would it end? There her brother Bjorn lay a cold. Bjorn the justly slain of bright eyes. Yet how could she wed the man who slew her brother? From Ospecker she was divorced by death. From Eric she was divorced by the blood of Bjorn, her brother. How much she unraveled this tangled skein, and float to wheel upon this sea of death. All things went amiss. The doom was on her. She had lived to an ill purpose. Her love had wrought evil. What availed it to have been born to be fair among women, and to have desired that which might not be? And she herself had brought these things to pass. She had loosed the rock which crushed her. Why had she hearkened to that false tale? Kedruda sat on high in the bride's seat, asking wisdom of the piled-up dead, while the cold blue shadows of the nightless night gathered over her and them, gathered and waned, and grew at last to the glare of day. End of chapter. Recording by Brett Downey. Chapter 26 of Eric Brideyes. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Brett Downey. Eric Brideyes by H. Ryder Haggard. Chapter 26. How Eric ventured down to Middlehoff, and what he found. Gizur went north to Swinefell, and Swanhild went with him. For now that Ospecker was dead at Eric's hand, Gizur ruled in his place at Swinefell, and was the greatest lord in all the north. He loved Swanhild, and desired to make her his wife, but she played with him, talking darkly of what might be. Swanhild was not minded to be the wife of any man, except of Eric. To all others she was called as the winter earth. Still she fooled Gizur as she had fooled Atly the Good, and he grew blind with love of her. For still the beauty of Swanhild waxed as the moon waxes in the sky, and her wicked eyes shone as the stars shine when the moon has set. Now they came to Swinefell, and there Gizur buried Ospecker Blacktooth, his father, with much state. He set him in a chamber of rock and timbers on a mountaintop, whence he might see all the lands that once were his, and built up a great mound of earth above him. To this day people tell that here on Yulnite Black Ospecker bursts out, and Golden Eric rides down the blast to meet him. Then come the clang of swords, and groans, and the sound of riven helms, till presently bright ice passes southward on the wind, bearing in his hand the half of a cloven shield. So Gizur bound the hell-shoes on his father, and swore that he would neither rest nor stay till Eric bright ice was dead, and dead was Scalagrim Lamb's tale. Then he gathered a great force of men and rode south to Coldback, to the slaying of Eric, and with him went Swanhild. Gdruda sat alone in the haunted hall of Middlehoff, and brooded on her love and on her fate. Eric, too, sat in Mosfell Cave, and brooded on his evil chance. His heart was sick with sorrow, and there was little that he could do except think about the past. He would not go to Foray after the fashion of outlaws, and there was no need of this, or the talk of his mighty deeds spread through the land, so that the people spoke of little else. And the men of his quarter were so proud of these deeds of Eric's, that though some of their kind had fallen at his hands in the great fight of Middlehoff, and some at the hands of Scalagrim, yet they spoke of him as men speak of a god. Moreover, they brought him gifts of food and clothing and arms, as many as his people could carry away, and laid them in a booth that is on the plain near the foot of Mosfell, which thenceforth was named Eric's fell. Further, they bade his thralls tell him that, if he wished it, they would find him a good ship of war to take him from Iceland, aye, and man it with loyal men and true. Eric thanked them through John his thrall, but answered that he wished to die here in Iceland. Now, when Eric had sat two months and more in Mosfell cave, and autumn was coming, he learned that Gazur and Swanhild had moved down to Coldback, and with them a great company of men who were sworn to slay him. He asked if Gadru to the fair had also gathered men for his slaying. They told him, no, that Gadru to stayed with her thralls and women at Middelhoff, mourning for Bjorn her brother. From these tidings, Eric took some heart of hope. At the least, Gadru to laid no blood feud against him. For he waited, thinking, if indeed she yet loved him, that Gadru to would send him some word or token of her love. But no word came, since between them ran the blood of Bjorn. On the morrow of these tidings, Scalagram spoke to Eric, This is my council, Lord. He said, That we ride out by night and fall on the folk of Gazur at Coldback, and burn the stead over them, putting them to the sword. I am weary of sitting here like an eagle in a cage. Such is no council of mine, Scalagram, answered bright eyes. I am weary of sitting here indeed, but I am yet more weary of bringing men to their death. I will shed no more blood, unless it is to save my own head. When the people of Gazur come to seek me on Mosfell, they shall find me here, but I will not go to them. Thy heart is out of thee, Lord, said Scalagram. Thou must not want to speak thus. I, Scalagram, said Eric, the heart is out of me, yet I ride from Mosfell today. Wither, Lord! To Middlehoff, to have speech with Gadru to the fair. Like enough, then, thou wilt be silent thereafter. It well may be, said Eric, yet I will ride. I can bear this doubt no longer. Then I shall come with thee, said Scalagram. As thou wilt, answered Eric. So at midday Eric and Scalagram rode away from Mosfell in a storm of rain. The rain was so heavy that those of Gazur's spies who watched the mountain did not see them. All that day they rode, and all the night, till by morning they came to Middlehoff. Eric told Scalagram to stay with the horses and let them feed, while he went on foot to see if by chance he might get speech with Gadru to. This the Bezark did, though he grumbled at the task, fearing lest Eric should be done to death and he not there to die with him. Now Eric walked to within two bow shots of the house, then sat down in a dell by the river, from the edge of which he could see those who passed in and out. Presently his heart gave a leap, into the women's door, a lady tall and beautiful to see, and with golden hair that flowed about her breast. It was Gadruda, and he saw that she bore a napkin in her hand. Then Eric knew, according to her custom on the warm mornings, that she came alone to bathe in the river, as she had always done from a child. It was her habit to bathe here in this place, for at the bottom of the dell was a spot where reeds and bushes grew thick and the water lay in a basin of rock and was clear and still. For at this spot a hot spring ran into the river. Eric went down the dell, hid himself close in the bushes and waited, for he feared to speak with Gadruda in the open field. A while passed and presently the shadow of the lady crept over the edge of the dell, and she came herself in that beauty which since her day has not been known in Iceland. Her face was sad and sweet, her dark and lovely eyes were sad. On she came till she stood within the day, crouched in the bush, and looking at her through the hedge of reeds. Here a flat rock overhung the water and Gadruda sat herself on this rock, and, shaking off her shoes, dipped her white feet in the water. Then suddenly she threw aside her cloak, bearing her arms and gazing upon the shadow of her beauty in the mirror of the water, sighed and sighed again, while Eric looked at her with a bursting heart, or as yet he could find no words to say. Now she spoke aloud. Of what used to be so fair, she said. Oh, wherefore was I born so fair to bring death to many, and sorrow all myself and him I love? And she shook her golden hair about her arms of snow, and, holding the napkin to her eyes, wept softly. But it seemed to Eric that between her sobs she called upon his name. Now Eric could no longer bear the sight of Gadruda weeping. But, hiding her eyes, he rose from behind the screen of reeds and stood beside her in such fashion that his shadow fell upon her. She felt the sunlight pass and looked up. Low it was no cloud, but the shape of Eric, and the sun glittered on his golden helm and hair. Eric, Gadruda cried, Eric! Then, remembering how she was attired, snatching her cloak, she threw it about her arms out upon thee. She said, Is it not enough, then, that thou shouldst break thy truth for Swan Hill's sake, that thou shouldst slay my brother and turn my hall to shambles? Wouldst thou steal upon me thus? Me thought that thou didst weep and call upon my name, Gadruda. He said humbly. By what right are thou here to hearken to my words? She answered, Is it, then, strange that I should speak the name of him Is it strange that I should weep over that brother whom thou didst slay?  Call on, Gadruda.  I laid it in the hands of chance when I came from Mosfell to speak with thee, and now I will pay it down if it so pleases thee. Fear not, thy thrall shall have an easy task, for I shall scarcely care to hold my own. Say, shall I call for thee? Hush! Speak not so loud! Folk may hear thee, Eric, and then thou wilt be in danger. I would say that. Then shall ill things be told of me, because I am found with him who slew my brother. I slew Ospecker too, Gadruda. Surely the death of him by whose side thou didst sit as wife is more to thee than the death of Bjorn. The bride-cup was not yet drunk, Eric. Therefore I have no blood feud for Ospecker. Is it, then, thy will that I should go, lady? Yes, go, go! Never let me see thy face again. Bride-eyes turned without a word. He took three paces, and Gadruda watched him as he went. Eric, she called, Eric, thou mayst not go yet, for at this hour the thralls bring down the kind to milk, and they will see thee. Lies thou hid here? I will go, for though indeed thou just deserve to die I am not willing to bring thee to thy end. Because of old friendship I am not willing. If thou goest, I will go also, said Eric. Thralls or no thralls, I will go, Gadruda. Thou art cruel to drive me to such a choice, and I have a mind to give thee to thy fate. As thou wilt, said Eric, but she made as though she did not hear his words. Now, she said, if we must stay here it is better that we hide as it is tied, lest some come upon thee. And she passed through the screen of rushes and sat down in a grassy place beyond and spoke again. Nay, sit not near me, sit yonder. I would not touch thee, nor look upon thee, who was Swanhild's love and its sleigh beorn my brother. Say, Gadruda, said Eric, did I not tell thee of the magic arts of Swanhild? Didst thou not say that thou didst believe my words? Speak. It is true, said Gadruda. Wherefore, then, dost thou taunt me with being Swanhild's love, with being the love of her, whom of all alive I hate the most, and whose wicked guile has brought these sorrows on us? But Gadruda did not answer. And for this matter of the death of Bjorn at my hands, think, Gadruda, was I to blame in it? Did not Bjorn thrust the cloven shield before my feet, and thus give me into the hand of Ospeker? Did he not afterwards smite at me from behind? And would he not have slain me if Scalagrim had not caught the blow? Was I then to blame if I smote back, and if the sword flew home? Wilt thou let the needful deed rise up against our love? Speak, Gadruda. Talk no more of love to me, Eric, she answered. The blood of Bjorn has blotted out our love. It cries to me for vengeance. How may I speak of love with him, who slew my brother? Listen, she went on, looking on him side long, as one who wished to look, and yet not seem to see. Here thou must hide an hour, and, since thou wilt not sit in silence, speak no tender words to me, for it is not fitting. But tell me of those deeds thou didst in the Southlands overseas, before thou wentest to Wu Swanhild, and came hither to kill my brother. Or till then thou wast mine. Till then I loved thee, who now loved thee not. Therefore I would hear of the deeds of that Eric, whom I once loved, before he became as one dead to me. Heavy words, lady, said Eric, words to make death easy. Speak not so, she said. It is unmanly thus to work upon my fears. Tell me those tidings of which I ask. So Eric told her all his deans, though he showed small boastfulness about them. He told her how he had spit in the war-dragons of Ospeker, how he had boarded the raven, and, with Scaligram, slain those who sailed in her. He told her also of his deeds in Ireland, and of how he took the Viking ships and came to Lundantown. And as he told, Gadruda listened as one who hung upon her lovers dying words, and there was but one light in the world for her, the light of Eric's eyes, and there was but one music, the music of his voice. He hung upon him side-long no longer, but with open eyes and parted lips she drank in his words, and always, though she knew it not herself, she crept closer to his side. Then he told her how he had been greatly honoured of the King of England, and of the battles he had fought in at his side. Lastly, Eric told her how the King would have given him a certain great lady of royal blood in marriage, and how Edmund had been angered because he would not stay in England. Said Gadruda quickly, Is she fair, and how is she named? She is fair, and her name is Elfride, said Eric. And did Thou have speech with her on this matter? Somewhat. Now Gadruda drew herself away from Eric's side. What was the purport of Thy speech? She said, looking down. Speak truly, Eric. It came to little, he answered. I told her that there was one in Iceland both, and to Iceland I must go. And what said this Elfride then? She said that I should get little luck at the hands of Gadruda the Fair. Moreover, she asked, should my betroth be faithless to me, or put me from her, if I should come again to England. Now Gadruda looked him in the face and spoke. Say, Eric, is it in thy mind to sail for England in the spring? If Thou can't escape thy foes so long? Now Eric took counsel with himself, and in his love and doubt grew guileful as he had never been before, for he knew well that Gadruda had this weakness. She was a jealous woman. Since Thou dost put me from thee, that is in my mind, lady, he answered. Gadruda heard. She thought on the great, ambudious Lady Elfride far away in England, and of Eric walking at her side, and sorrow took hold of her. She said no word, and raised his face, and low, they filled with tears. Eric might not bear this sight, for his heart beat within him, as though it would burst the bernie over it. Suddenly he stretched out his arms and swept her to his breast. Soft and sweet he kissed her, again and yet again, and she struggled not, though she wept a little.  Yet for thee, Eric, it is the greatest shame of all thy shames. Talk not, my sweet, talk not, said Eric, but kiss Thou me, for Thou knowest well that Thou lovest me yet, as I love thee. Now the end of it was that Gadruda yielded and kissed him, whom she had not kissed for many years. Loose me, Eric, she said, unwillingly. Harken! she went on, hiding her fair face in her hands. It is true that for life and death I love thee now as ever. How much Thou mayest never know. Thou be on be dead at thy hands, yet I love thee. But how I may wed thee and not win the greatest shame, that I know not. I am sure of one thing, that we may not bide here in Iceland. Now if, indeed, Thou lovest me, listen to my read. Get thee back to Mosfell, Eric, and sit there in safety through this winter, for they might not come at thee yonder on Mosfell. Then, if Thou art willing, in the spring I will make ready a ship, for I have no ship now, and, moreover, it is too late to sail. Then, perchance, leaving all my lands and goods, I will take thy hand, Eric, and we will fare together to England, such fortune as the Norns may give us. What sayest Thou? I say it is a good read, and would that spring were come. Aye, Eric, would that the spring were come. Our lot has been hard, and I doubt much if things will go well with us at the last. And now thou must tense, for presently the serving women will come to seek me. Guard thyself, Eric, as thou lovest me. Guard thyself, and beware of Swanhild. Then once more they kissed, soft and long, and Eric went. But Gadruda sat a while behind the screen of reads, and was very happy for a space. For it was as though the winter were past, and summer shone upon her heart again. End of chapter Recording by Brett Downey Chapter 27 of Eric Brideyes This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Brett Downey Eric Brideyes by H. Reider Haggard Chapter 27 How Gadruda went up to Mosfell Eric walked warily till he came to the dell where he had left Scalagrim and the horses. It was the same dell in which Groa had brewed the poisoned draft for Asman the Priest and Oona, Thorod's daughter. What news, Lord? said Scalagrim. Thou was gone so long that I thought of seeking thee. Hast thou seen Gadruda? I, said Eric, and this is the upshot of it, that in the spring we sail for England and bid farewell to Iceland and our ill luck. Would then that it were spring, said Scalagrim, speaking Brideyes' own words. Why not sail now and make an end? Gadruda has no ship and it is late to take to the sea. Also I think that she would let a time go by because of the blood feud which she has against me for the death of Bjorn. I would rather risk these things than stay the winter through in Iceland. said Scalagrim. It is long now to spring and Jan Wolfstein is cold lying in the dark months as I know well. There is light beyond the darkness, said Eric, and they rode away. Everything went well with them till late at night they came to the slopes of Mosfell. They were half asleep on their horses being weary with much riding and the horses were weary also. Suddenly Scalagrim, looking up, caught the faint gleam of light from swords hidden behind some stones. Awake, Lord! he cried. Hear our foes ahead! Gazir's folk behind the stones heard his voice and they came out from their ambush. There were six of them and they formed in a line before the pair. They were watching the mountain for a rumor had reached them that Eric was abroad and seeing him they had hidden hastily behind the stones. Now what counsel shall we take? said Eric, drawing white fire. We have often stood against men more than six and sometimes we have left more men than six to mark where we stood. answered Scalagrim. It is my counsel that we ride at them. So be it! said Eric and he spurred his weary horse with his heels. Now when the six saw Eric and Scalagrim charge on them boldly they wavered and the end of it was that they broke and fled to either side before a blow was struck. For it had come to this pass so great was the terror of the names of Eric Brighteyes and Scalagrim Lambstail that no six men dared to stand before them in open fight. So the path being clear they rode on up the slope but when they had gone a little way Scalagrim turned his horse and mocked those who had lain in ambush saying If I'd wow thee, carls of Gazir, ospecker's son, ye are heroes surely. Say now, mighty men, will ye stand there if I come down alone against you? At these words the men grew mad with wrath and flung their spears. Scalagrim caught one on his shield and it fell to the earth, but another passed over his head and struck Eric on the left shoulder near the neck making a deep wound. Feeling the spear fast in him Eric grasped it with his right hand, drew it forth and turning hard that the man before it got his death from the blow for his shield did not serve to stay it. Then the rest fled. Scalagrim bound up Eric's wound as well as he could and they went on to the cave but when Eric's folk watching above saw the fight they ran down and met him. Now the hurt was bad and Eric bled much. Still within ten days it healed up for the time. But a little while after Eric's wound was skinned over the snow set in on Mosfell and the days grew short and the nights long. Once Ghazour's men to the number of fifty came halfway up the mountain to take it but when they saw how strong the place was they feared and went back and after that returned no more though they always watched the fell. It was very dark and lonesome there upon the fell for a while Eric kept in good heart but as the days went by he grew troubled for since he was wounded this had come upon him that he feared the dark and the death of Atlai at his hand and Atlai's words weighed more and more upon his mind. They had no candles on the fell yet rather than stay in the blackness of the cave Eric would wrap sheepskins about him and sit by the edge of that gulf down which the head of the bazaar had foretold his fall and look out at the wide plains and fells and ice mountains gleaming in the silver shine of the northern lights or in the white beams of the stars it chanced that Eric had bidden the men who stayed with him to build a stone hut upon the flat space of rock before the cave and to roof it with turfs he had done this that work might keep them in heart also that they might have a place to store such goods as they had gathered now there was one stone lying near that no two men of their number could move except Scaligram and one other one day while it was light Eric watched these two rolling the stone along to where it must stand in the dark presently they stayed to rest then Eric came and putting his hands beneath the stone lifted and while men wondered he rolled the mass alone to where it should be set as the corner stone of the hut you are all children he said and laughed merrily I when we set our strength against thine lord answered Scaligram but look the blood runs from thy neck the spear wound has broken out to fresh so it is surely said Eric then he washed the wound and bounded up thinking little of the matter but that night according to his custom Eric sat on the edge of the gulf and looked at the winter lights as they played over heckles snows he was sad and heavy at heart for he thought of Gdruda and wondered much if they should live to wed remembering atlai's words he had little faith in his good luck now as Eric sat and thought the bandage on his neck slipped so that the hurt bled and the frost got hold of the wound and froze it and froze his long hair to it also in such fashion that when he went to the cave where all men slept he could not loose his hair from the sore but lay down with it frozen to him on the morrow the hair was caked so fast about his neck that it could only be freed by shearing it but this Eric would not suffer none he said should shear his hair except Gdruda thus he had sworn and when he broke the oath misfortune had come of it he would break that vow no more if it cost him his life for sorrow and his ill luck had taken so great a hold of Eric's mind that in some ways he was scarcely himself so it came to pass that he fell more and more sick till at length he could not rise from his bed in the cave but lay there all day and night staring at the little light which pierced the gloom still he would not suffer that anyone should touch his hair and when one stole upon him sleeping thinking so to cut it before he woke and come at the wound suddenly he sat up and dealt the man such a buffet on the head that he went near to death from it then Scalagrim spoke on this matter he said it seems that bright eyes is mad he will not suffer that any touches hair except Gdruda and yet if his hair is not shorn he must die for the wound will fester under it nor may we cut it by strength for then he will kill himself in struggling it is come to this then either Gdruda must be brought hither or Eric will shortly die that may not be they answered how can the lady Gdruda come here across the snows even if she will come come she can if she has the heart said Scalagrim though I put little trust in women's hearts still I ride down to Middlehoff and thou John shout go with me for the rest I charge you watch your lord for if I come back and find anything amiss that shall be the death of some and if I do not come back but perish on the road yet I will haunt you now John liked not this task still for love of Eric and fear of Scalagrim he set out with the bazaar they had a hard journey through the snowdrifts and the dark but on the third day they came to Middlehoff knocked upon the door and entered now it was supper time and people sitting at meet covered with snow and rhyme stalk up the hall and after him another smaller man who groaned with the cold and they wandered at the site Gdruda sat on the high seat and the fire light beat upon her face who comes here she said one who would speak with thee lady answered Scalagrim here is Scalagrim the bazaar said a man he is an outlaw let us kill him he answered and if there is killing to be done why here is that which shall do it and he drew out his axe and smiled grimly then all held their peace for they feared the axe of Scalagrim lady he said I do not come for slaying or such child's play I come to speak a word in thine ear but first I ask a cup of mead and a morsel of food for we have spent three days in the snows so they ate and drank then Gdruda bade the bazaar draw near and tell her his tale lady he said Eric my lord lies dying on Mosfell Gdruda turned white as the snow dying Eric lies dying she said why then aren't thou here for this cause lady I think that thou can't save him if he is not already sped and he told her all the tale she thought a while this is a hard journey she said and it does not become a maid to visit outlaws in their caves yet I am come to this that I will die before I shrink from anything that may save the life of Eric when must we ride Scalagrim this night said the bazaar this night while the men sleep for now night and day are almost the same the snow is deep living then we will ride tonight answered Gdruda afterwards when people slept Gdruda the fair summoned her women and bade them say to all who asked for her that she lay sick in bed but she called three trusty thralls bidding them bring two pack horses laden with hay, food, drugs candles made of sheep's fat and other goods and ride with her then all being ready they rode away secretly up Stonefell Gdruda on her horse black mane and the others on good geldings that had been hay fed in the yard and by daylight they passed up horse head heights they slept two nights in the snow and on the second night almost perished there for much soft snow fell but afterwards came frost and a bitter northerly wind and they passed on Gdruda was a strong woman and great of heart and will and so it came about that on the third day she reached Mosfell and was so harmed though the fingers of her left hand were frostbitten they climbed the mountain and when they came to the dell where the horses were kept certain of Eric's men met them and their faces were sad how goes it now with bright eyes said Scalagrim for Gdruda could scarcely speak because of doubt and cold is he dead then nay they answered but like to die for he is beside himself and raves wildly push on let's to be too late so they climbed the mountain on foot won the pass and came to that giddy point of rock where he must tread who would reach the platform that is before the cave now since she had hung by her hands over gold-fossed gulf Gdruda had feared to tread upon a height with nothing to hold to Scalagrim went first then called her to follow thrice she looked and turned away trembling for the place was awful and the fall bottomless spoke aloud to herself Eric did not fear to risk his life to save me when I hung over golden falls less than should I fear to risk mine to save him and she stepped boldly down upon the point but when she stood there over the giddy height shivers ran along her body and her mind grew dark she clutched at the rock gave one low cry and began to fall indeed she would have fallen and been lost had not Scalagrim lying on his breast in the narrow hole stretched out his arms caught her by the cloak and kirtle and dragged her to him presently her senses came back I am safe she gasped but by a very little me thinks that here in this place I must live and die for I can never tread yonder rock again thou shalt pass it safe enough lady with a rope round thee said Scalagrim and led the way to the cave Gdruda entered forgetting all things in her love of Eric a great fire of turf burned in the mouth of the cave to temper the bitter wind and frost and by its light Gdruda saw her love through the smoke Greek he lay upon a bed of skins at the far end of the cave and his bright grey eyes were wild his wan face was white and now of a sudden it grew red with fever and then it was white again he had thrown the sheepskin from his mighty chest the bones of which stood out grimly his long arms were thrust through the locks golden hair and on one side of his neck the hair clung to him and it was but a black mass he raved loudly in his madness touch me not Carls touch me not he think me spent in weak but by Thor if he touch my hair I will loosen the knees of some Gdruda alone shall shear my hair I am sworn and I will keep the oath that I once broke give me snow snow my throat burns heap snow upon my head I bid you he will not he mock me thinking me weak where then is whitefire I have yet a deed to do who comes Jaunter is it a woman's shape or is it but a smoke wraith to swan hill the fatherless who walks the waters be gone swan hilled thou witch thou hast worked evil enough upon me nay it is not swan hilled it is Elfrida lady here in England I may not stay in Iceland I am at home yay yay things go crossly perchance in this garden we may speak again now Gdruda could bear his words no longer but ran to him and knelt beside him peace Eric she whispered peace it is I thy love it is Gdruda who am come to thee he turned his head and looked upon her strangely no no he said it is not Gdruda the fair she will have little to do with outlaws and this is too rough a place for her to come to it is dark also and atlai speaks in the darkness if thou art Gdruda give me a sign why come as thou here and where is Scalagrim ah that was a good fight down among the ballast tumbling osbacher's shield curls were rolled but he should never have slain the steersman the axe goes first and Scalagrim follows after ha ha I swan illed will mingle tears give me the cup why what is this thou art a fire a glory glows about thee and from thee floats a scent like the scent of the iceland meads in may Eric Eric cried Gdruda I am come to shear thy hair as thou didst swear that I alone should do now I know thou art Gdruda said the crazed man cut but let not those naves touch my head lest I should slay them then Gdruda drew out her shears and without more do shore off bright eyes's golden locks it was no easy task for they were thick as a horse's mane and glued to the wound yet when she had cut them she loosened the hair from the flesh with water which she heated upon the fire the wound was in a bad state and blue still Eric never winced while she dragged the hair from it when she washed the sore clean and put sweet ointment on it and covered it with napkins this done she gave Eric broth and he drank then laying her hand upon his head she looked into his eyes and bade him sleep and presently he slept which he had scarcely done for many days slept like a little child Eric slept for a day and a night but at that same hour of the evening when he had fallen asleep Gdruda watching him by the light a paper that was set upon a rock saw him smile in his dreams presently he opened his eyes and stared at the fire which glowed in the mouth of the cave and the great shadows that fell upon the rocks strange she heard him murmur it is very strange but I dreamed I slept and that Gdruda the fair leaned over me as I slept where then is Scalagrim perhaps I am dead and that is hella's fire and he tried to lift himself upon his arm but fell back from faintness for he was very weak then Gdruda took his hand and leaning over him spoke hush Eric she said that was no dream for I am here thou hast been sick to death Eric but now if thou wilt rest things will go well with thee thou art here said Eric turning his white face towards her do I still dream or how come as thou to Mosfell Gdruda I came through the snows Eric to cut thy hair which clung to the festering wound for in thy madness thou wouldst not suffer anyone to touch it thou came as through the snows over the snows to nurse me Gdruda thou must love me much then and he was so weak that as he spoke the tears rolled down Eric's cheeks then Gdruda kissed him weeping also and laying her face by his bade him be at peace for she was there to watch him End of Chapter Recording by Brett Downey Chapter 28 of Eric Bright Eyes This LibriVox recording is in the public domain Recording by Brett Downey Eric Bright Eyes by H. Ryder Haggard Chapter 28 How Swan Hilled Won Tidings of Eric Now Eric's strength came back to him and his heart opened in the light of Gdruda's eyes like a flower in the sunshine for all day long she sat by his side holding his hand and talking to him and they found much to say but on the fifth day from the day of his awakening she spoke thus Eric now I must go back to Middlehop thou art safe and it is not well that I should stay here yet yes love I must leave thee the moon is bright the sky is cleared and the snow is hard with frost and fit for the hoofs of horses I must go before more storms come listen now in the second week of spring if all is well I will send thee a messenger with words of token then shout thou come down secretly to Middlehop and there Eric we will be wed then on the next day in England and a trading ship that I shall get ready to seek our fortune there it will be a good fortune if thou art by my side said Eric so good that I doubt greatly if I may find it for I am Eric the unlucky Swanhild must yet be reckoned with Gdruda yes thou art right thou must go hence Gdruda and swiftly though it grieves me much to part with thee then Eric called Scalagrim and bade him make things ready to ride down to Middlehop with the lady Gdruda this Scalagrim did swiftly and afterwards Eric and Gdruda kissed and parted and they were sad at heart to part now on the fifth day after the going of Gdruda Scalagrim came back to Mosfell somewhat cold and weary and he told Eric who could now walk and grew strong again that he and John had ridden with Gdruda the Fair to Horsehead Heights seeing no man and had left her there to go on with her thralls he had come back also seeing no one for the weather was too cold for the men of Ghazur to watch the fell in the snows now Gdruda came safely to Middlehop having been eleven days gone and found that few had visited the house and that these had been told that she lay sick a bed her secret had been well kept and though Swanhild had no lack of spies many days went by before she learned that Gdruda had gone up to Mosfell to nurse Eric after this Gdruda began to make ready for her flight from Iceland she called in the monies that she had out at interest and with them bought from a certain Chapman a good trading ship which lay in its shed under the shelter of Westman Isles this ship she began to make ready for sea so soon as the heart of winter was broken putting it about that she intended to send her on a trading voyage to Scotland in the spring and also to give color to this tale she bought many pelts of goods such as Chapman dealin thus the days passed on not so badly for Gdruda who strove to fill their emptiness in making ready for the full and happy time but for Eric in his cave they were very heavy for he could find nothing to do except to sleep and eat and think of Gdruda whom he might not see for Swanhild also sitting at Colbac the days did not go well she was weary of the courting of Gizur whom she played with as a cat plays with a rat and her heart was sick with love hate and jealousy where she well knew that Gdruda and Eric still clung to each other and found means of greeting if not of speech at that time she wished to kill Eric if she could though she would rather kill Gdruda if she dared still she could not come at Eric for her men feared to try the narrow way of Mosfell and when they met him in the open they fled before him presently it came to her ears that Gdruda made a ship ready to sail to Scotland on a trading voyage and she was perplexed by this tale for she knew that Gdruda had no love of trading and never thought of gain so she set spies to watch the ship still the slow days drew on and at length the air grew soft with spring and flowers showed through the snow Eric sat in his mountain nest waiting for tidings and watched the nesting eagles wheel about the cliffs at length news came for one morning as he rose Scalagrim told him that a man wanted to speak with him he had come to the mountain in the darkness and had lain in a delve till the breaking of the light for now that the snows were melting the men of Gizur and Swanhild watched the ways Eric made them bring the man to him when he saw him he knew that he was a thrall of Gdruda's and welcomed him heartily what tidings he asked this lord said the thrall Gdruda the fair bids me say that she is well and that the snow melts on the roof of Middlehoff now this was the signal word that had been agreed upon between Eric and Gdruda that she should send him when all was ready good said Eric ride back to Gdruda the fair and say that Eric bright eyes as well but on Hecla the snows melt not by this answer he meant that he would be with her presently though the thrall could make nothing of it then Scalagrim asked tidings of the man and learned that Swanhild was still at Middlehoff and with her Gizur and that they gave out that they wish to make an end of waiting and slay Eric first snare your bird then ring his neck laughs Scalagrim then Eric did this among his men were some whom he knew were not willing to sail from Iceland and John his thrall was one of them for John did not love the angry sea he bade these bide a while on Mosfell and make fires nightly on the platform of rock which is in front of the cave that the spies of Gizur and Swanhild might be deceived by them and think that Eric was still on the fell then when they heard that he had sailed they were to come down and hide themselves with friends till Gizur and his following rode north but he told two of the men who would sail with him to make ready that night before the moon rose Eric said farewell to John and the others stayed on Mosfell and rode away with Scalagrim and the two who went with him they passed the plain of black sand and safety and so on to horse head heights now at length as the afternoon drew on to evening from Stonefell's crest they saw the hall of Middlehoff before them and Eric's heart swelled in his breast yet they must wait till darkness fell before they dared enter the place lest they should be seen and notice of their coming should be carried to Gizur and Swanhild and this came into the mind of Eric that of all the hours of his life that hour of waiting was the longest scarcely indeed could Scalagrim hold him back from going down the mountainside he was so set on coming to Gadruda whom he should wed that night at length the darkness fell and they went on Eric rode swiftly down the rough mountain path while Scalagrim and the two men followed grumbling for they feared that their horses would fall at length they came to the place riding into the yard Eric sprang from his horse and strode to the women's door now Gadruda stood in the porch listening and while he was yet some way off she heard the clang of bright eyes' harness and the color came and went upon her cheek then she turned and fled to the high seat of the hall and sat down there only two women were left in Middlehoff with her and some thralls who tended the kind and horses but these slept not in the hall but in an outhouse Gadruda had sent the rest of her people down to the ship to help in the lading where it was given out that the vessel sailed on the morrow she had done this that there might be no talk of the coming of Eric to Middlehoff now bright eyes came to the porch and finding the door wide walked in but Scalagrim and the men stayed without a while and tended the horses a fire burned upon the center hearth in the hall and threw shadows on the paneling Eric walked on by its light left and right but seeing neither man nor woman then a great fear took him lest Gadruda should be gone or perhaps slain of Swanhild grow his daughter and he trembled at the thought he stood by the fire and Gadruda watching from the shadow of the high seat saw the dull light glow upon his golden helm and a sigh of joy broke from her lips Eric heard the sigh and looked and as he looked a stick of pitchy driftwood fell into the fire and flared up fiercely then he saw there in the carved high seat robed all in bridal white Gadruda the fair, his love her golden hair flowed about her breast her white arms were stretched towards him and on her sweet face shown such a look of love as he had never seen Eric she whispered softly and the breath of her voice ran down the empty paneled hall that from all sides seemed to answer Eric he drew near to her he saw nothing but the glory of Gadruda's face and the light shining on Gadruda's hair he heard nothing saved the sighing of her breath he knew nothing except that before him sat his fair bride one after many years now he had climbed the high seat and now wrapped in each other's arms they sat and gazed into each other's eyes and lo the air of the great hall rolled round them a sea of glory and sweet voices whispered in their ears now Freya smiled upon them and led them through her gates of love and they were glad that they had been born thus then they were wed now the story tells that Swanhill spoke with Ghazour Ospeker's son in the house at Coldback I tire of this slow play she said we have tarried here for many weeks and at lies blood yet cries out for vengeance and cries for vengeance the blood of black Ospeker thy father and the blood of many another dead at great Eric's hand I tire also said Ghazour and I am much needed in the north I say this to thee Swanhill that had as thou not so strictly laid it on me that Eric must die ere thou weddest me I had flinted back to Swinefell before now and there bided my time to bring bright eyes to his end I will never wed thee Ghazour till Eric is dead said Swanhill fiercely how shall we come at him then he answered we may not go up that mountain path for two men can hold it against all our strength and folk do not love to meet Eric and Scalagrim in a narrow way the place has been badly watched said Swanhill I am sure of this that Eric has been down to Middlehoff and seen Ghazoura my half sister she is shameless who still holds commune with him who slew her brother and my husband death should be her reward and I am minded to slay her because of the shame that she has brought upon our blood that is a deed which thou wilt do alone then said Ghazour for I will have no hand in the murder of that fair maid no, nor will any who live in Iceland Swanhill glanced at him strangely harken Ghazour she said Gadruda makes a ship ready to sail with goods to Scotland and bring a cargo thence before winter comes again now I find this strange for never before did I know Gadruda turn her thoughts to trading I think that she has it in her mind to sail from Iceland with this outlaw Eric and seek a home overseas and that I will not bear it may be said Ghazour and I should not be sorry to see the last of bright eyes for I think that more men will die at his hand before he stiffens in his barrow thou art cowardly hearted thou son of Ospeker said thou sayest thou lovest me and would swin me to wife I tell thee that there is but one road to my arms and it leads over the corpse of Eric now this is my counsel that we send the most of our men to watch that ship of Gadruda and when she lifts anchor to board her and search for she is already bound for sea also among the people here I have a Carl who was born near Hekla and he swears this to me that when he was a lad searching for an eagle's eerie he found a path by which Mosfell might be climbed from the north and that in the end he came to a large flat place and looking over saw that platform where Eric dwells with his thralls but he could not see the cave because of the overbrow of the rock now we will do this thou and I and the Carl alone no more for I do not wish that our search should be noise abroad tomorrow at the dawn we will ride away from Mosfell and passing under Hekla come round the mountain and see if this path may still be scaled for if so we will return with men and make an end of bright eyes this plan pleased Ghazur and he said that it should be so so very early on the following morning Swanhild having sent many men to watch Gadruda's ship rode away secretly with Ghazur and the Thrall and before it was again dawn the northern slopes of Mosfell it was on this same night that Eric went down from the mountain to wed Gadruda for a while the climbing was easy but at length they came to a great wall of rock a hundred fathoms high on which no fox might find a foothold nor anything that had not wings here now is an end of our journey said Ghazur I only pray this that Eric may not ride round the mountain before we are down again or he did not know that bright eyes already rode hard for Middlehoff not so said the Thrall if only I can find the place by which some thirty summers ago I won yonder rift and threw it the crest of the fell and he pointed to a narrow cleft in the face of the rock high above their heads that was clothed with gray moss then he moved to the right and searched peering behind stones and birch bushes till presently he held up his hand and whistled they passed along the slope and found him standing by a little stream of water which welled from beneath a great rock here is the place the man said I see no place answered Swanhild still it is there lady and he climbed onto the rock drawing her after him at the back of it was a hole almost overgrown with moss here is the path he said again then it is one that I have no mind to follow answered Swanhild Gizur go thou with the man and see if his tale is true I will stay here till he come back then the Thrall let himself down into the hole and Gizur went after him but Swanhild sat there in the shadow of the rock her chin resting on her hand and waited presently as she sat she saw two men ride round the base of the fell and strike off to the right towards a turf booth which stood the half of an hour's ride away now Swanhild was the keenest sighted of all women of her day in Iceland and when she looked at these two men she knew one of them for John, Eric's Thrall and she knew the horse also it was a white horse with black patches that John had ridden for many years she watched them go till they came to the booth and it seemed to her that they left their horses and entered Swanhild waited upon the side of the fell for nearly two hours in all then hearing a noise above her she looked up and there black with dirt and wet with water was Gizur and with him was the Thrall what luck Gizur she asked this Swanhild Eric may hold Mosfell no more for we have found a way to bolt the fox that is good news then said Swanhild say on yonder whole Swanhild leads to the cleft above having been cut through the cliff by fire or perhaps by water now up that cleft a man may climb though hardly as by a difficult stair till he comes to the flat crest of the fell then crossing the crest on the further side perhaps six fathoms below him he sees that space of rock where is Eric's cave but he cannot see the cave itself because the brow of the cliff hangs over and so it is that if any come from the cave onto the space of rock it will be an easy matter to roll stones upon them from above and crush them now when Swanhild heard this she laughed aloud Eric shall mock us no more she said and his might can avail nothing against rocks roll on him from above let us go back to Coldback and summon men to make an end of bright eyes so they went down the mountain till they came to the place where they had hidden their horses then Swanhild remembered John and the other man whom she had seen riding to the booth and she told Gizur of them now she said we'll snare these birds and perchance they will twitter tidings when we squeeze them so they turned and rode for the booth and drawing near they saw two horses grazing without now they got off their horses and creeping up to the booth looked in through the door which was a jar then they saw this that one man sat on the ground with his back to the door eating stockfish while John made bundles of fish and meal ready to tie on the horses for it was here that those of his quarter Eric brought food to be carried by his men to the cave on Mosfell now Swanhild touched Gizur on the arm pointing first to the man who sat eating the fish and then to the spear in Gizur's hand Gizur thought a while for he shrank from this deed then Swanhild whispered in his ear slay the man and seize the other I would learn tidings from him so Gizur cast the spear and it passed through the man's heart and he was dead at once the man fell leapt into the booth and threw themselves on John hurling him to the ground and holding swords over him now John was a man of small heart and when he saw his plight and his fellow dead he was afraid and prayed for mercy I will spare thee, Nave said Swanhild thou shalt do this thou shalt lead me up Mosfell to speak with Eric I may not do that, lady groaned John for Eric is not on Mosfell see then now John saw that he had said an unlucky thing and answered nay, I know not last night he rode from Mosfell with Scalagrim lamestail thou liest, Nave said Swanhild speak or thou shalt be slain slay on groaned John glanting at the swords above him and shutting his eyes for though he feared much to die he had no will to make known Eric's plans look not at the swords thou shalt not die so easily harken speak and speak truly or thou shalt seek Hell's lap after this fashion and, bending down she whispered in his ear then laughed aloud now John grew faint with fear his lips turned blue and his teeth chattered at the thought of how he should be made to die still he would say nothing then Swanhild spoke to Ghazour in the thrall he would find him with a rope tear the garments from him and bring snow this they did and pushed the matter to the drawing of knives but when he saw the steel John cried aloud that he would tell all now thou take his good counsel said Swanhild then in his fear John told how Eric had gone down to Middelhoff to wed Ghazour and thence to fly with her to England now Swanhild was mad with wrath for she had sooner died than that this should come about anyway she said to Ghazour but first kill this man nay said Ghazour I will not do that he has told his tidings let him go free thou art chicken hearted said Swanhild who after the fashion of witches had no mercy in her at the least he shall not go hence to warn Eric and Ghadruda of our coming if thou wilt not kill him then bind him and leave him as bound and there in the booth he sat two days before anyone came to loose him with her away said Ghazour to Swanhild to Middelhoff first Swanhild answered end of chapter recording by Brett Downey chapter 29 of Eric Brideyes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain recording by Brett Downey Eric Brideyes Eric Brideyes by H. Rider Haggard chapter 29 How went the bridal night now Eric and Ghadruda sat silent in the high seat of the hall at Middelhoff till they heard Scaligram enter by the women's door then they came down from the high seat and stood hand in hand by the fire on the hearth Scaligram greeted Ghadruda looking at her scans for Scaligram stood in fear of women alone what council now Lord Azark tell us thy plans Ghadruda said Eric for as yet no word had passed between them of what they should do this is my plan Eric she answered first that we eat then that thy men take horse and ride hence through the night to where the ship lies bang word that we will be there at dawn when the tide serves and bidding the mate make everything ready for sailing but thou and I and Scaligram will stay here till tomorrow three hours old and this because I have tidings that Ghazours folk will search the ship tonight now when they search and do not find us they will go away then at the dawning thou and I and Scaligram will row on board the ship as she lies at anchor and slipping the cable put to sea before they know we are there and so bid farewell to Swanhild and our woes yet it is a risk for us to sleep here alone there is little danger said Ghazour nearly all of Ghazours men watch the ship and I have learned this from a spy that two days ago Ghazour, Swanhild and one thrall rode from cold back towards Mossfell and they have not come back yet moreover the place is strong and thou and Scaligram are here to guard it so be it then answered Eric for indeed he had little thought left for anything except Ghazour after this the women came in and set meat on the board and all ate now when they had eaten Eric bade Scaligram fill a cup and bring it to him as he sat on the high seat with Ghazour Scaligram did so and then looking deep into each other's eyes Eric bright eyes and Ghazour to the fair Azman's daughter drank the bride's cup there are few guests to grace our marriage feast husband said Ghazour yet shall our vows hold true wife said Eric I bright eyes she answered in life and in death now and forever and they kissed it is time for us to be going me thinks growled Scaligram to those about him we are not wanted here then the men who were to go on to the ship rose fetched their horses and rode away also they caught the horses of Scaligram Eric and Ghazour to saddle them and slipping their bridles made them fast in a shed in the yard giving them hay to eat afterwards Scaligram barred the men's door and the women's door and going to Ghazour ask where he should stay the night till it was time to ride for the sea in the store chamber she answered for there is a shutter of which the latch has gone see that thou watch it well Scaligram though I think none will come to trouble thee I know the place I'll go badly with the head that looks through yonder hole said Scaligram glancing at his axe now Ghazour to forgot this that in the store chamber were casks of strong ale then Ghazour to told him to wake them when the morrow was two hours old for Eric had neither eyes nor words except for Ghazour to alone and Scaligram went the women went also to their shut bed at the end of the hall leaving bright eyes and Ghazour to alone looked at her where do I sleep tonight he asked thou sleepest with me husband she answered soft for nothing except death shall come between us any more now Scaligram went to the store room and sat down with his back against a cask his heart was heavy in him for he boated no good of this marriage moreover he was jealous Scaligram loved but one thing in the world truly that was Eric bright eyes his lord now he knew that henceforth he must take a second place and that for one thought which Eric gave to him he would give ten to Ghazour to therefore Scaligram was very sad at heart a pest upon the women he said to himself for from them comes all evil bright eyes owes his ill luck to Swanhild and this fair wife of his and that is scarcely done with yet well well, tis nature but would that we were safe at sea had I my will we had not slept here tonight but they are newly wed and well tis nature better the bride loves to lie a bed than to ride the cold wolds and seek the common deck now as Scaligram grumbled fear gathered in his heart he knew not of what he began to think on trolls and goblins it was dark in the store room except for a little line of light and a little shadow at length he could bear the darkness and his thoughts no longer but rising through the shutter wide and let the bright moonlight pour into the chamber whence he could see the hillside behind and watch the shadows of the clouds as they floated across it again Scaligram sat down against his cask and as he sat it moved and he heard the wash of ale inside it that is a good sound said Scaligram why and a good smell too we tasted little ale yonder on Mosfell and we shall find less at sea again he looked at the cask there was a spigot in it and low on the shelf stood horn cups it surely is on draft he said and now it will stand till it goes sour tis a pity but I will not drink I fear ale, ale is another man no I will not drink and all the while his hand went up to the cups upon the shelf Eric is better laying yonder in Gadruda's chamber than I am here alone with my evil thoughts and trolls he said why what fish was that we ate at supper my throat is cracked with thirst if there were water now I'd drink it but I see none well one cup to wish them joy there is no harm in a cup of ale and he drew the spigot from the cask and watched the brown drink flow into the cup then he lifted it to his lips and drank saying skull, skull meaning health, health nor did he cease till the horn was drained this is wondrous good ale said Scalagrim as he wiped his grizzled beard one more cup and evil thoughts shall cease to haunt me again he filled drank sat down and for a while was merry but presently the black thoughts came back into his mind he rose to a better hold to the hillside he could see nothing on it except the shadows of the clouds trolls walk the winds tonight he said I feel them pulling at my beard one more cup to frighten them he drank another draft of ale and grew merry then ale called for ale and Scalagrim drained cup on cup singing as he drained till at last heavy sleep overcame him and he sank drunken on the ground there by the barrel while the brown ale trickled round him now Eric bright eyes and Gajuda the fair slept side by side locked in each other's arms presently Gajuda was wide awake rouse the Eric she said I have dreamed an evil dream he awoke and kissed her what then was thy dream sweet he said this is no hour for bad dreams no hour for bad dreams truly husband yet dreams do not weigh the hour of their coming I have dreamed this that I lay dead beside thee and thou knewest it not while Swanhild looked at thee and mocked an evil dream truly said Eric but see thou art not dead thou hast thought too much on Swanhild of late now they slept once more till presently Eric was wide awake rouse thee Gajuda he said I too have dreamed a dream and it is full of evil I dreamed that atly the earl whom I slew stood by the bed his face was white and whitest snow was his beard and blood from his great wound ran down his bernie Eric bright eyes he said I am he whom thou did slay and I come to tell thee this that before the moon is young again thou shalt lie stiff with hell shoes on thy feet thou art Eric the unlucky take thy joy and say thy say to her who lies at thy side for wet and cold is the bed that waits thee and soon shall thy white lips be dumb then he was gone and low in his place stood asman thy father and he also spoke to me saying thou who dost lie in my bed and at my daughter's side know this the words of atly are true but I add these to them ye shall die yet his death but the gate of life and love and rest and he was gone I fear and crept closer to Eric's side we are surely fay for the no one speak with the voices of atly and of asman she said oh Eric, Eric, wither go we when we die will Valhalla take thee being so mighty a man and must die away to hellish halls where thou art not oh that would be death indeed say Eric, wither do we go what said the voice of asman answered bright eyes that death is but the gate of life and love and rest harken, gejuda, my may Odin does not reign over all the world for when I was out yonder in England a certain holy man taught me of another god a god who loves not slaughter a god who died that men might live forever in peace with those they love how is this god named Eric they name him the white christ and there are many who cling to him what that I knew this christ Eric I am weary of death and blood and evil deeds such as are pleasing to our gods oh Eric, if I am taken from thee swear this to me that thou wilt slay no more save for their life's sake only I swear that sweet he made answer for I too am weary of death and blood and desire peace most of all things the world is sad and sad have been our days yet it is well to have lived for through many heavy days I am yonder to this happy night yea Eric, it is well to have lived though I think the death draws on now this is my counsel that we rise and that thou just put on thy harness and summon scalagrim so that, if evil comes thou mayst meet it armed surely I thought I heard a sound yonder in the hall there is little use in that, said Eric for things will befall as they are fated we may do nothing of our own will I am sure of this and it is no good to struggle with the norns yet I will rise so he kissed her and made ready to leave the bed when suddenly, as he lingered a great heaviness seized him gedrude her he said, I am pressed down with sleep that I am also Eric she said my eyes shut of themselves and I can scarcely stir my limbs ah Eric, we are a fey indeed and this is death that comes perchance he said, speaking heavily Eric, wake Eric thou canst not move yet hearken to me ah, this weight of sleep thou lovest me Eric, is that not so yay he answered now and for ever thou lovest me and will cleave to me always wherever we go surely sweet oh sweet, farewell he said and his voice sounded like the voice of one who speaks across the water farewell, Eric bright eyes my love my love, farewell she answered very slowly and together they sank into a sleep that was heavy as death now Gizur, Aspecker's son and Swanhild, Atley's widow rode fast and hard from Mosfell giving no rest to their horses and with them they rode that thrall who had showed the secret path to Gizur they stayed a while on horse-head heights till the moon rose now one path led hence to the shore that is against the westmen's where Gadruda's ship lay bound then Swanhild turned to the thrall her beautiful face was fierce and she had said few words all this while but in her heart raged a fire of hate and jealousy which shone through her blue eyes listen, she said to the thrall thou shalt ride hence to the bay where the ship of Gadruda the fair lies at anchor thou knowest where our folk are in hiding thou shalt speak thus to them before it is dawn they must take boats and board Gadruda's ship and search her and if they find Eric the outlaw aboard they shall slay him if they may that will be no easy task said the thrall and if they find Gadruda they shall keep her prisoner but if they find neither the one nor the other they shall do this they shall drive the crew ashore killing as few as may be and burn the ship it is an ill deed thus to burn another ship said Gadruda good or ill it shall be done answered Swanhild fiercely thou art a lawman and well canst thou meet the suit moreover Gadruda has wedded an outlaw and shall suffer for her sin now go and see thou tarry not or thy back shall pay the price the man rode away swiftly then Gadruda turned to Swanhild asking whether then go we I have said to Middlehoff that is into the wolf's den if Eric and Scaligram are there he answered I have little chance against the two of them nay nor against the one Gadruda why if Eric's right hand were hewn from him and he stood unarmed he would still slay thee with his left as swordless he slew Ospec or thy father yet I shall find a way to come at him if he is there then they rode on and Gadruda's heart was heavy for fear of Eric and Scaligram the Berserk so fiercely did they ride that within one hour after midnight they were at the stead of Middlehoff we will leave the horses here in the field said Swanhild so they leap to earth and in the veins of the horses together they left them to feed on the growing grass then they crept into the yard and listened presently there came a sound of horses stamping in the far corner of the yard they went thither and there they found a horse and two geldings saddled but with a bit slipped and on the horse was such a saddle as women use Eric bright eyes Scaligram lamestail and Gadruda the Fair whispered Swanhild saying evilly the birds are within now to snare them were it not best to meet them by the ship ask Ghazur nay thou fool if once Eric and Scaligram are back to back and white fire is aloft how many shall be dead before they are down thinkest thou we shall not find them sleeping twice it is shameful to slay sleeping men said Ghazur they are outlaws Osbacher's son thou sayest thou dost love me and would sweat me know this that if thou dost fail me now I will never look upon thy face again but will name thee Nittering in all men's ears now Ghazur loved Swanhild much for she had thrown her glamour on him as once she did on Atly and he thought of her day and night for there was this strange thing about Swanhild that though she was a witch and wicked being both fair and gentle all men except Eric to love her but of men she loved Eric alone then Ghazur held his peace but Swanhild spoke again it will be of no use to try the doors for they are strong yet when I was a child before now I have passed in and out of the house at night by the storeroom casement follow me Ghazur then she crept along the shadow of the wall for she knew its every stone till she came to the storeroom then she opened and threw it the moonlight poured into the chamber Swanhild lifted her head above the sill and looked then started back Hush! she said Scalagrim lies asleep within pray the gods he waked not said Ghazur beneath his breath and turned to go but Swanhild caught him by the arm then gently raised her head and looked again long and steadily presently she turned and laughed softly things go well for us and the sod lies drunk we have nothing to fear from him he lies drunk in a pool of ale then Ghazur looked the moonlight poured into the little room and by it he saw the great shape of Scalagrim his head was thrown back his mouth was wide he snored loudly in his drunken sleep and all about him ran the brown ale for the spigot of the cast lay upon the floor and his left hand was a horn cup but in his right he still grasped his axe he must enter said Swanhild Ghazur hung back but she sprang upon the sill lightly as a fox and slid thence into the storeroom then Ghazur must follow and presently he stood beside her in the room and at their feet lay drunken Scalagrim Ghazur looked first at his sword then on the berserk and lastly at Swanhild nay! she whispered touch him not per chance he would cry out he has that within him which will hold him fast for a while follow where I shall lead she took his hand and gliding through the doorway passed along the passage till she came to the great hall Swanhild could see well in the dark and moreover she knew the road presently they stood in the empty hall the fire had burnt down but two embers yet glowed upon the hearth like red and angry eyes for a while Swanhild stood still listening but there was nothing to hear then she drew near to the shut bed where Ghazurda slept and with her ear to the curtain listened once more Ghazur came with her and as he came his foot struck against a bench and stirred it now Swanhild heard murmured words and the sound of kisses she started back and fury filled her heart Ghazur also heard the voice of Eric saying I will rise then he would have fled but Swanhild caught him by the arm what? she whispered they shall soon sleep sound he felt her stretch out her arms and presently he saw this wonderful thing the eyes of Swanhild glowing in the darkness as the embers glowed upon the hearth now they glowed brightly so brightly that he could see the outstretched arms and the hard white face beneath them and now they grew dim of a sudden to shine bright again and all the while she hissed words through her clenched teeth thus she hissed fierce and low Coutruda, sister mine harken and sleep by the bond of blood I bid thee sleep by the strength that is in me I bid thee sleep sleep, sleep sound Eric bright eyes harken and sleep by the bond of sin I charge thee sleep by the blood of Atly I charge thee sleep sleep, sleep sound by the voice she tossed her hands aloft saying from love to sleep from sleep to death from death to hella say lovers, where shall you kiss again then the light went out of her eyes and she laughed low and ever as she whispered the spoken words of the two in the shut bed grew fainter and more faint till at length they died away and a silence fell upon the place thou hast no cause to fear the sword of Eric she said nothing will wake him now till daylight comes thou art awesome answered Gizour for he shook with fear look not on me with those flaming eyes I pray thee fear not she said the fire is out now to the work what must we do then thou must do this thou must enter and slay Eric that I cannot that I will not said Gizour she turned and looked at him and low her eyes began to flame again upon his eyes they seemed to burn thou will do as I bid thee she said with Eric's sword thou shalt slay Eric else I will curse thee where thou art and bring such evil on thee as thou knowest not of look not so swan-hilled he said lead on, I come now they creep into the shut chamber of Gertrude it is so dark that they can see nothing and nothing can they hear except the heavy breathing of the sleepers this is to be told that at this time swan-hilled had it in her mind to kill not Eric but Gizour for thus she would smite the heart of bright eyes moreover she loved Eric and while he lived she might yet win him but Eric dead must be Eric lost but on Gizour she would be bitterly avenged Gizour who for all her scheming had yet been a wife to Eric now they stood by the bed swan-hilled puts out her hand draws down the clothes and feels the breast of Gertrude beneath for Gertrude slept on the outside of the bed then she searches by the head of the bed and finds white fire which hung there and draws the sword here lies Eric on the outside she says to Gizour and here is white fire strike and strike home leaving white fire in the wound Gizour takes the sword and lifts it he is sword heart that he must do such a coward deed but the spell of swan-hilled is upon him and he may not flinch from it then a thought takes him and he also puts down his hand to feel it lights upon Gertrude's golden hair that hangs about her breast and falls from the bed to the ground here is woman's hair he whispers no swan-hilled answers it is Eric's hair of Eric is long as thou has seen now neither of them knows that Gertrude cut Eric's locks when he lay sick on Mosfell though swan-hilled knows well that it is not bright eyes whom she bids Gizour's sleigh then Gizour Ospacher's son lifts the sword and the faint starlight struggling into the chamber gathers and gleams upon the blade thrice he lifts it and thrice he draws it back then with an oath he strikes and drives it home with all his strength from the bed beneath there comes one long sigh and a sound as of limbs trembling against the bed gear then all is still it is done he says faintly swan-hilled puts her hand down once more low it is wet and warm then she bends herself and looks and behold the dead eyes of Gertrude glare up into her eyes she can see them plainly but none know what she read there at the least it was something that she loved not for she reels back against the paneling then falls upon the floor presently while Gizour stands as one in a dream she rises saying I am avenged of the death of Atlai let us hence ah let us hence swiftly give me thy hand Gizour for I am faint so Gizour gives her his hand and they pass thence presently they stand in the storeroom and there lies Scalagrim still plunged in sleep must I do more murder? asks Gizour hoarsely nay swan-hilled says I am sick with blood leave the nave they pass out by the casement into the yard and so on till they find their horses lift me Gizour I can no more says swan-hilled he lifts her to the saddle wither away he asks to cold back Gizour to cold death thus did Gizour the fairest woman who ever lived in Iceland die on her marriage night by the hand of Gizour and through the hate and witchcraft of swan-hilled the fatherless her half-sister end of chapter recording by Brett Downey chapter 30 of Eric Brighteyes this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Brett Downey Eric Brighteyes by H. Reider Haggard chapter 30 how the dawn came the dawn broke over middle-hawk slowly the light gathered in the empty hall it crept slowly into the little chamber where Eric slept and Gurdruda slept also with a deeper sleep now the two women came from their chamber at the far end of the hall and drew near the hearth shivering for the air was cold they knelt by the fire blowing at the embers till the sticks they cast upon them crackled to a blaze it seems that Gurdruda is not yet gone said one to the other I thought she should ride away with Eric before the dawn nearly wed lie long a bed laughed the other I am glad to see the blessed light said the first woman for last night I dreamed that once again this hall ran red with blood as at the marriage feast of Ospecker ah! answered the other it will be well for the south when Eric Brideyes and Gurdruda are gone over sea for their loves have brought much bloodshed upon the land well indeed sighed the first had Asman the priest never found Groa Ran's gift singing by the sea Valhalla had not been so full today mindest thou the day he brought her here I remembered well she answered the girl at the time still when I saw those dark eyes of hers just such eyes as swan hilt I knew her for a witch as all thin women are it is an evil world my husband is dead by the sword dead are both my sons fighting for Eric dead is Una Thorad's daughter Asman by lord is dead and dead is Bjorn and now Gurdruda the fair whom I have rocked to sleep I may not go with her for my daughter's sake yet I almost wish that I too were dead that will come soon enough said the other who was young and fair now the witch sleep began to roll from Eric's heart though his eyes were not yet open but the talk of the women echoed in his ears and the words dead dead dead fell heavily on his slumbering sense at length he opened his eyes only to shut them again because of a bright gleam of light that ran up and down something at his side heavily he wondered what this might be that shone so keen and bright that shone like a naked sword now he looked again yes it was a sword which stood by him upon the bed and the golden hilt was like the hilt of white fire he lifted up his hand to touch it thinking that he dreamed low his hand and arm were red then he remembered and the thought of gudruda flashed through his heart he sat up gazing down into the shadow at his side presently the women at the fire heard a sound as of a great man falling to earth what is that noise said one Eric leaping from his bed answered the other he has slept too long as we have also as they spoke the curtain of the shut bed was pushed away and through it Eric in his night gear and low the left side of it was red his eyes were wide with horror his mouth was open and his face was white as ice he stopped looking at them made as though to speak and could not then while they shrank from him in terror he turned and walking like a drunken man staggered from the hall down that passage which led to the store chamber the door stood wide the shutter was wide and on the floor soaked in the dregs of ale scalagrim yet lay snoring his axe in one hand and a cup in the other Eric looked and understood awake drunkard he cried in so terrible a voice that the room shook awake and look upon thy work scalagrim sat up yawning vursuth my head swims he said give me ale I am thirsty never wilt thou look on ale again scalagrim when thou hast seen that which I have to show said Eric in the same dread voice then scalagrim rose to his feet and gaped upon him what means this lord is it time to ride and say why is thy shirt red with blood follow me drunkard and look upon thy work said Eric again then scalagrim grew altogether sober and grasping his axe followed after bright eyes so afraid of what he might see they went down the passage passed the high seat of the hall till they came to the curtain of the shut bed and after them followed the women Eric seized the curtain in his hand rent it from its fastenings and cast it upon the ground now the light flowed in and struck upon the bed fell upon the bed fell upon white fire's hilt and ran along the blade it gleamed on a woman's snowy breast and golden hair and shone in her staring eyes a woman who lay stiff and cold upon the bed the great sword fixed within her heart look upon thy work drunkard Eric cried again while the women who peeped behind sent their long wail of woe echoing down the paneled hall harken said Eric while thou didst lie wallowing in thy swine's sleep foes crept across thy carcass and this is their handiwork yonder she lies who was my bride and now is Gadru to the fair a death wife who last night was my bride this is thy work drunkard and now what mead for thee Scalagrim looked and then he spoke in a hoarse slow voice what mead lord but one death then with one hand he covered his eyes and with the other held out his axe to Eric bright eyes Eric took the axe and while the women ran then screaming he whirled at thrice about his head then he smote down towards the skull of Scalagrim but as he smote it seemed to him that a voice whispered in his ear Thy oath and he remembered that he had sworn to slay no more save for his own life's sake the mighty blow was falling and he might only do this loose the axe before it cloved Scalagrim in twain he loosed it and away the great axe flew passed over the head of Scalagrim and sped like light across the wide hall it crashed through the paneling on the further side and buried itself to the haft in the wall beyond it is not for me to kill thee drunkard go die in thy drink then I will kill myself cried the bazaar and rushing across the hall he tore the great axe from its bed hold said Eric perhaps there is yet a deed for thee to do then thou mayest die if it pleases thee die said Scalagrim coming back for chance there is still a deed to do and flinging down the axe Scalagrim lamestail the bazaar fell upon the floor and wept but Eric did not weep only he drew white fire from the heart of Kudruta and looked at it thou art a strange sword white fire he said who slayest both friend and foe shame on thee white fire we swore our oath on thee white fire and thou hast cut its chain now I am minded to shatter thee and as Eric looked upon the great blade lo it hums strangely in answer first must thou be the death of some thou sayest well maybe white fire but never yet did thou drink so sweet a life as hers who now lies dead nor ever shout again then he sheathed the sword but neither then nor afterwards did he wipe the blood of Kudruta from its blade last night a marrying today a burying said Eric and he called to the women to bring spades then having clothed himself he went to the center of the hall and brushing away the sand broke the hard clay flooring dealing great blows on it with an axe now Scalagrim seeing his purpose came to him and took one of the spades and together they labored in silence till they had dug a grave a fathom deep here said Eric here in thine own hall where there was born and lived Kudruta fair thou shalt sleep at last and of Middlehoff I say this that none shall live there henceforth shall be haunted and accursed till the rafters rot and the walls fall in making thy barrow Kudruta now this indeed came to pass for none have lived in Middlehoff since the days of Kudruta the fair Asman's daughter it has been ruined these many years and now it is but a pile of stones when the grave was dug Eric watched himself and ate some food then he went in to where Kudruta lay dead and bade the women make her ready for burial this they did when she was washed and clad in a clean white robe Eric came to her and with his own hand bound hell shoes on her feet and closed her eyes it was just then that a man came who said that the people of Ghazur and of Swanhild had burned Kudruta's ship driving the crew ashore it is well said Eric we need the ship no more now hath she whom it should bear wings with which to fly then he went in and sat down on the bed by the body of Kudruta while Scalagrim crouched on the ground without tearing in his beard and muttering for the fierce heart of Scalagrim was broken because of that evil which his drunkenness had brought about all day Eric sat thus looking on his dead love's face till the hour came around when he and Kudruta had drunk the bride cup then he rose and kissed dead Kudruta on the lips I did not look to part with thee thus sweet it is sad that thou shouldst have gone and left me here nevertheless I shall soon follow on thy path then he called aloud art sober drunkard Scalagrim came and stood before him saying nothing take thou the feet of her whom thou didst bring to death and I will take her head so they lifted up Kudruta and bore her to the grave then Eric stood near the grave and taking dead Kudruta in his arms looked upon her face by the light of the fire and of the candles that were set about he looked thrice then sang aloud long ago when swept the snowblast close we clung and plighted troth many a year through storm and sword song so I strove to win thee sweet but last night I held thee farrest locked a wife in lover's arms now Kudruta in thy death rest sleep thou soft till Eric come hence I go to wreak thy murder hissing fire of flaming stead groan of spear-carls wail of women soon shall startle through the night then on Mosfell curtle-wearer Eric waits the face of death freed from weary life and sorrow soon will kiss in hella's halls then he later in the grave and having shrouded a sheet over her they filled it in together hiding Kudruta the fair from the sight of men forever afterwards Eric armed himself and this Scalagrim did also then he strode from the hall and Scalagrim followed him in the yard those horses were still tied that should have carried them to the ship and on one was the saddle of Kudruta she had ridden on this horse for many years and loved it much for it would follow her like a dog Eric looked at him then said aloud Kudruta may need thee where she is black mane for so the horse was named at the least none shall ride thee more he chased the axe from the hand of Scalagrim and slew the horse at a blow then they rode away heading for cold back the night was wild and windy and the sky dark with scutting clouds through which the moon peeped out at times Eric looked up then spoke to Scalagrim a good night for burning drunkard aye lord the flames will fly briskly answered Scalagrim how many thinkest thou walked over thee drunkard beyonder in ale I know not grown Scalagrim but I found this in the soft earth without the print of a man and a woman's feet and this on the hillside the track of two horses ridden hard Gizur and Swanhill drunkard said Eric Swanhill cast us into deep sleep by witchcraft and Gizur dealt the blow better for him that he had never been born than that he has lived to deal that cowards blow then they rode on and when midnight was a little gone they came to the stead at cold back now this house was roofed with turfs and the windows were barred so that none could pass through them also in the yard were faggots of birch and a stack of hay Eric and Scalagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the north of the stead and crept up to the house all was still but a fire burnt in the hall and looking through a crack they were sleeping about it then he made signs to Scalagrim and together very silently they fetched hay and faggots piling them against the north door of the house where the wind blew from the north now Eric spoke to Scalagrim bidding him stand, axe in hand by the south door and slay those who came out when the reek began to smart them but he went himself to fire the pile when bright eyes had made all things ready for the burning came into his mind that Gazur and Swanild were not in the house but he would not hold his hand for this for he was mad with grief and rage so once more he prepared for the deed went again he heard a voice in his ear the voice of Gertrude and it seemed to say thine oath Eric remember thine oath then he turned and the rage went out of his heart let them seek me on Mosfell he said I will not slay them secretly and by reek the innocent and the guilty together and he strode round the house to where Scalagrim stood at the south door axoloft and watching does the fire burn lord I see no smoke whispered Scalagrim nay I have made none I will shed no more blood except to save my life I leave vengeance to the Norns now Scalagrim thought the bright eyes was mad but he dared say nothing so they went to their horses and when they found them Eric rode back to the house presently they drew near and Eric told Scalagrim to stay where he was and riding on to the house smote heavy blows upon the door just as Scalagrim once had smitten before Eric went up to Mosfell now Swanhild lay in her shut bed but she could not sleep because of what she saw in the eyes of Gertrude little may she ever sleep again for when she shuts her eyes once more she sees that which was written in the dead eyes of Gertrude so as she lay she heard the blows upon the door and sprang frightened from her bed now there was tumult in the hall for every man rose to his feet in fear searching for his weapons again the loud knocks came it is the ghost of Eric cried one for Gazour had given out that Eric was dead at his hand in fair fight open said Gazour and they opened and there a little way from the door sat bright eyes on a horse great and shadowy to see from Scalagrim the bazaar it is the ghost of Eric they cried again I am no ghost said bright eyes I am no ghost ye men of Swanhild tell me is Gazour the son of Osbecker among you Gazour is here said a voice but he swore he slew thee last night then he lied quote Eric Gazour did not slay me he murdered Gertrude the fair as she lay asleep at my side then he drew Whitefire from its scabbard and held it in the rays of the moon that now shone out between the cloud rifts Whitefire is red with Gertrude's blood Gertrude slaughtered in her sleep by Gazour's cowered hand now men murmured for this seemed to them the most shameful of all deeds but Gazour hearing shrank back aghast listen again said Eric I was minded but now to burn you all as he slept I the firing is piled against the door still I held my hand for I have sworn to slay no more except to save my life now I ride hence to Mosfell thither let Gazour come Gazour the murderer and Swanhild the witch and with them all who will there I will give them greeting and wipe away the blood of Gertrude from Whitefire's blade fear not Eric cried Swanhild I will come to see if thou canst against thee Swanhild said Eric I lift no hand do thy worst I leave thee to thy fate and the vengeance of the Norns I am no woman slayer but to Gazour the murderer I say come then he turned and went and Scalagram went with him up men and cut Eric down cried Gazour seeking to cover his shame but no man stirred End of chapter Recording by Brett Downey