Eric Brighteyes

by H. Rider Haggard

  "Mayst thou think so when thou hast heard my tale, lady," said Hall,"for I am sad at heart to speak it of one who was my mate."

  "Speak on, I say," answered Gudruda, in such a voice that Hall shrankfrom her. "Speak on; but of this I warn thee: that if in one word thouliest, that shall be thy death when Eric comes."

  Now Hall was afraid, thinking of the axe of Skallagrim. Still, he mightnot go back upon his word. So he began at the beginning, telling thestory of how he was wounded in the fight with Ospakar's ships and leftFarey isles, and how he came thence to Scotland and sat in Atli's hallon Orkneys. Then he told how the Gudruda was wrecked on Straumey,and, of all aboard, Eric and Skallagrim alone were saved because ofSwanhild's dream.

  "Herein I see witch-work," said Gudruda.

  Then Hall told that Eric became Swanhild's love, but of the other talewhich Swanhild had whispered to Atli he said nothing. For he knew thatGudruda would not believe this, and, moreover, if it were so, Swanhildhad not sent the token which he should give.

  "It may well be," said Gudruda, proudly; "Swanhild is fair and lightof mind. Perchance she led Brighteyes into this snare." But, thoughshe spoke thus, bitter jealousy and anger burned in her breast and sheremembered the sight which she had seen when Eric and Swanhild met onthe morn of Atli's wedding.

  Then Hall told of the slaying of Atli the Good by Eric, but he saidnothing of the Earl's dying words, nor of how he goaded Brighteyes withhis bitter words.

  "It was an ill deed in sooth," said Gudruda, "for Eric to slay an oldman whom he had wronged. Still, it may chance that he was driven to itfor his own life's sake."

  Then Hall said that he had seen Swanhild after Atli's slaying, and thatshe had told him that she and Eric should wed shortly, and that Ericwould rule in Orkneys by her side.

  Gudruda asked if that was all his tale.

  "Yes, lady," answered Hall, "that is all my tale, for after that Isailed and know not what happened. But I am charged to give somethingto thee, and that by the Lady Swanhild. She bade me say this also: that,when thou lookest on the gift, thou shouldst think on a certain oathwhich Eric took as to the cutting of his hair." And he drew a linenpacket from his breast and gave it to her.

  Thrice Gudruda looked on it, fearing to open it. Then, seeing the smileof mockery on Bjoern's cold face, she took the shears that hung at herside and cut the thread with them. And as she cut, a lock of golden hairrose from the packet, untwisting itself like a living snake. The lockwas long, and its end was caked with gore.

  "Whose hair is this?" said Gudruda, though she knew the hair well.

  "Eric's hair," said Hall, "that Swanhild cut from his head with Eric'ssword."

  Now Gudruda put her hand to her bosom. She drew out a satchel, and fromthe satchel a lock of yellow hair. Side by side she placed the locks,looking first at one and then at the other.

  "This is Eric's hair in sooth," she said--"Eric's hair that he sworenone but I should cut! Eric's hair that Swanhild shore with Whitefirefrom Eric's head--Whitefire whereon we plighted troth! Say now, whoseblood is this that stains the hair of Eric?"

  "It is Atli's blood, whom Eric first dishonoured and then slew with hisown hand," answered Hall.

  Now there burned a fire on the hearth, for the day was cold. Gudruda theFair stood over the fire and with either hand she let the two locks ofEric's hair fall upon the embers. Slowly they twisted up and burned. Shewatched them burn, then she threw up her hands and with a great cry fledfrom the hall.

  Bjoern and Hall of Lithdale looked on each other.

  "Thou hadst best go hence!" said Bjoern; "and of this I warn thee, Hall,though I hold thy tidings good, that, if thou hast spoken one falseword, that will be thy death. For then it would be better for thee toface all the wolves in Iceland than to stand before Eric in his rage."

  Again Hall bethought himself of the axe of Skallagrim, and he went outheavily.

  That day a messenger came from Gudruda to Bjoern, saying that she wouldspeak with him. He went to where she sat alone upon her bed. Her facewas white as death, and her dark eyes glowed.

  "Eric has dealt badly with thee, sister, to bring thee to this sorrow,"said Bjoern.

  "Speak no evil of Eric to me," Gudruda answered. "The evil that he hasdone will be paid back to him; there is little need for thee to heapwords upon his head. Hearken, Bjoern my brother: is it yet thy will thatI should wed Ospakar Blacktooth?"

  "That is my will, surely. There is no match in Iceland as this Ospakar,and I should win many friends by it."

  "Do this then, Bjoern. Send messengers to Swinefell and say to Ospakarthat if he would still wed Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter, lethim come to Middalhof when folk ride from the Thing and he shall not gohence alone. Nay, I have done. Now, I pray thee speak no more to me ofEric or of Ospakar. Of the one I have seen and heard enough, and of theother I shall hear and see enough in the years that are to come."

  XXII

  HOW ERIC CAME HOME AGAIN

  Swanhild made a good passage from the Orkneys, and was in Icelandthirty-five days before Eric and Skallagrim set foot there. But she didnot land by Westman Isles, for she had no wish to face Gudruda atthat time, but by Reyjaness. Now she rode thence with her company toThingvalla, for here all men were gathered for the Thing. At firstpeople hung aloof from her, notwithstanding her wealth and beauty; butSwanhild knew well how to win the hearts of men. For now she told thesame story of Eric that she had told to Atli, and there were none to sayher nay. So it came to pass that she was believed, and Eric Brighteyesheld to be shamed indeed. Now, too, she set a suit on foot against Ericfor the death of Atli at his hand, claiming that sentence of the greateroutlawry should be passed against him, and that his lands at Coldback inthe Marsh on Ran River should be given, half to her in atonement for theEarl's death, and half to the men of Eric's quarter.

  On the day of the opening of the Thing Ospakar Blacktooth came from thenorth, and with him his son Gizur and a great company of men. Ospakarwas blithe, for from the Thing he should ride to Middalhof, there to wedGudruda the Fair. Then Swanhild clad herself in beautiful attire, and,taking men with her, went to the booth of Ospakar.

  Blacktooth sat in his booth and by him sat Gizur his son the Lawman.When he saw a beauteous lady, very richly clad, enter the booth he didnot know who it might be. But Gizur knew her well, for he could neverput Swanhild from his mind.

  "Lo! here comes Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli's widow," said Gizur,flushing red with joy at the sight of her.

  Then Ospakar greeted her heartily, and made place for her by him at thetop of the booth.

  "Ospakar Blacktooth," she said, "I am come to ask this of thee: thatthou shalt befriend me in the suit which I have against Eric Brighteyesfor the slaying of Earl Atli, my husband."

  "Thou couldst have come to no man who is more willing," said Ospakar,"for, if thou hast something against Eric, I have yet more."

  "I would ask this, too, Ospakar: that thy son Gizur should take up mysuit and plead it; for I know well that he is the most skilful of alllawmen."

  "I will do that," said Gizur, his eyes yet fixed upon her face.

  "I looked for no less from thee," said Swanhild, "and be sure ofthis, that thou shalt not plead for nothing," and she glanced at himmeaningly. Then she set out her case with a lying tongue, and afterwardswent back to her booth, glad at heart. For now she learned that Hall hadnot failed in his errand, seeing that Gudruda was about to wed Ospakar.

  Gizur gave warning of the blood-suit, and the end of it was that, thoughhe had no notice and was not there to answer to the charge, against allright and custom Eric was declared outlaw and his lands were given, halfto Swanhild and half to the men of his quarter. For now all held thatSwanhild's was a true tale, and Eric the most shameful of men, andtherefore they were willing to stretch the law against him. Also, beingabsent, he had few friends, and those men of small account; whereasOspakar, who backed Swanhild's suit, was the most powerful of thenorthern chiefs, as Gizur was the most skilled lawman in Iceland.More
over, Bjoern the Priest, Asmund's son, was among the judges, and,though Swanhild's tale seemed strange to him after that which he hadheard from Hall of Lithdale, he loved Eric little. He feared also thatif Eric came a free man to Iceland before Gudruda was wed to Ospakar,her love would conquer her anger, for he could see well that she stillloved Brighteyes. Therefore he strove with might and main that Ericshould be brought in guilty, nor did he fail in this.

  So the end of it was that Eric Brighteyes was outlawed, his landsdeclared forfeit, and his head a wolf's head, to be taken by him whomight, should he set foot in Iceland.

  Thereafter, the Althing being ended, Bjoern, Gizur, and Ospakar, with alltheir company, rode away to Middalhof to sit at the marriage-feast. ButSwanhild and her folk went by sea in the long war-ship to Westmans. Forthis was her plan: to seize on Coldback and to sit there for a while,till she saw if Eric came out to Iceland. Also she desired to see thewedding of Ospakar and Gudruda, for she had been bidden to it by Bjoern,her half-brother.

  Now Ospakar came to Middalhof, and found Gudruda waiting his coming.

  She stood in the great hall, pale and cold as April snow, and greetedhim courteously. But when he would have kissed her, she shrank from him,for now he was more hideous in her sight than he had ever been, and sheloathed him in her heart.

  That night there was feasting in the hall, and at the feast Gudrudaheard that Eric had been made outlaw. Then she spoke:

  "This is an ill deed, thus to judge an absent man."

  "Say, Gudruda," said Bjoern in her ear, "hast thou not also judged Ericwho is absent?"

  She turned her head and spoke no more of Eric; but Bjoern's words fixedthemselves in her heart like arrows. The tale was strange to her, for itseemed that Eric had been made outlaw at Swanhild's suit, and yetEric was Swanhild's love: for Swanhild's self had sent the lock ofBrighteyes' hair by Hall, saying that he was her love and soon would wedher. How, then, did Swanhild bring a suit against him who should be herhusband? Moreover, she heard that Swanhild sailed down to Coldback, andwas bidden to the marriage-feast, that should be on the third day fromnow. Could it be, then, when all was said and done, that Eric was lessfaithless than she deemed? Gudruda's heart stood still and the bloodrushed to her brow when she thought on it. Also, even if it were so, itwas now too late. And surely it was not so, for had not Eric been madeoutlaw? Men were not made outlaw for a little thing. Nay, she would meether fate, and ask no more of Eric and his doings.

  On the morrow, as Gudruda sat in her chamber, it was told her thatSaevuna, Thorgrimur's widow and Eric's mother, had come from Coldback tospeak with her. For, after the death of Asmund and of Unna, Saevuna hadmoved back to Coldback on the Marsh.

  "Nay, how can this be?" said Gudruda astonished, for she knew well thatSaevuna was now both blind and bed-ridden.

  "She has been borne here in a chair," said the woman who told her, "andthat is a strange sight to see."

  At first Gudruda was minded to say her nay; but her heart softened, andshe bade them bring Saevuna in. Presently she came, being set in a chairupon the shoulders of four men. She was white to see, for sickness hadaged her much, and she stared about her with sightless eyes. But she wasstill tall and straight, and her face was stern to look on. To Gudrudait seemed like that of Eric when he was angered.

  "Am I nigh to Gudruda the Fair, Asmund's daughter?" asked Saevuna."Methinks I hear her breathe."

  "I am here, mother," said Gudruda. "What is thy will with me?"

  "Set down, carles, and begone!" quoth Saevuna; "that which I have to sayI would say alone. When I summon you, come."

  The carles set down the chair upon the floor and went.

  "Gudruda," said the dame, "I am risen from my deathbed, and I havecaused myself to be borne on my last journey here across the meads, thatI may speak with thee and warn thee. I hear that thou hast put away myson, Eric Brighteyes, to whom thou art sworn in marriage, and art aboutto give thyself to Ospakar Blacktooth. I hear also that thou hast donethis deed because a certain man, Hall of Lithdale--whom from his youthup I have known for a liar and a knave, and whom thou thyself didstmistrust in years gone by--has come hither to Iceland from Orkneys,bearing a tale of Eric's dealings with thy half-sister Swanhild. This Ihear, further: that Swanhild, Atli's widow, hath come out to Iceland andlaid a suit against Eric for the slaying of Atli the Earl, her husband,and that Eric has been outlawed and his lands at Coldback are forfeit.Tell me now, Gudruda, Asmund's daughter, if these tales be true?"

  "The tales are true, mother," said Gudruda.

  "Then hearken to me, girl. Eric sprang from my womb, who of all livingmen is the best and first, as he is the bravest and most strong. I havereared this Eric from a babe and I know his heart well. Now I tell theethis, that, whatever Eric has done or left undone, naught of dishonouris on his hands. Mayhap Swanhild has deceived him--thou art a woman, andthou knowest well the arts which women have, and the strength that Freyagives them. Well thou knowest, also, of what breed this Swanhild came;and perchance thou canst remember how she dealt with thee, and with whatmind she looked on Eric. Perchance thou canst remember how she plottedagainst thee and Eric--ay, how she thrust thee from Goldfoss brink.Say, then, wilt thou take her word? Wilt thou take the word of thiswitch-daughter of a witch? Wilt thou not think on Groa, her mother, andof Groa's dealings with thy father, and with Unna my kinswoman? As themother is, so shall the daughter be. Wilt thou cast Eric aside, and thatunheard?"

  "There is no more room for doubt, mother," said Gudruda. "I have proofof this: that Eric has forsaken me."

  "So thou thinkest, child; but I tell thee that thou art wrong! Ericloves thee now as he loved thee aforetime, and will love thee always."

  "Would that I could believe it!" said Gudruda. "If I could believe thatEric still loved me--ay, even though he had been faithless to me--Iwould die ere I wed Ospakar!"

  "Thou art foolish, Gudruda, and thou shalt rue thy folly bitterly. Iam outworn, and death draws near to me--far from me now are hates andloves, hopes and fears; but I know this: that woman is mad who, loving aman, weds where she loves not. Shame shall be her portion and bitternessher bread. Unhappy shall she live, and when she comes to die, but as awilderness--but as the desolate winter snow, shall be the record of herdays!"

  Now Gudruda wept aloud. "What is done is done," she cried; "thebridegroom sits within the hall--the bride awaits him in the bower. Whatis done is done--I may hope no more to be saved from Ospakar."

  "What is done is done, yet it can be brought to nothing; but soon thatshall be done which may never be undone! Gudruda, fare thee well!Never shall I listen to thy voice again. I hold thee shameless, thouunfaithful woman, who in thy foolish jealousy art ready to sell thyselfto the arms of one thou hatest! Ho! carles; come hither. Bear me hence!"

  Now the men came in and took up Saevuna's chair. Gudruda watched thembear her forth. Then suddenly she sprang from her seat and ran after herinto the hall, weeping bitterly.

  Now as Saevuna, Eric's mother, was carried out she was met by Ospakarand Bjoern.

  "Stay," said Bjoern. "What does this carline here?--and why weepsGudruda, my sister?"

  The men halted. "Who calls me 'carline'?" said Saevuna. "Is the voice Ihear the voice of Bjoern, Asmund's son?"

  "It is my voice, truly," said Bjoern, "and I would know this--and thiswould Ospakar, who stands at my side, know also--why thou comest here,carline? and why Gudruda weeps?"

  "Gudruda weeps because she has good cause to weep, Bjoern. She weepsbecause she has betrayed her love, Eric Brighteyes, my son, and is aboutto be sold in marriage--to be sold to thee, Ospakar Blacktooth, like aheifer at a fair."

  Then Bjoern grew angry and cursed Saevuna, nor did Ospakar spare to addhis ill words. But the old dame sat in her chair, listening silentlytill all their curses were spent.

  "Ye are evil, the twain of you," she said, "and ye have told lies ofEric, my son; and ye have taken his bride for lust and greed, playing onthe jealous folly of a maid like harpers on a harp. Now I tell youthis, B
joern and Ospakar! My blind eyes are opened and I see this hallof Middalhof, and lo! it is but a gore of blood! Blood flows uponthe board--blood streams along the floor, and ye--ye twain!--liedead thereon, and about your shapes are shrouds, and on her feet areHell-shoon! Eric comes and Whitefire is aloft, and no more shall yestand before him whom ye have slandered than stands the birch before thelightning stroke! Eric comes! I see his angry eyes--I see his helm flashin the door-place! Red was that marriage-feast at which sat Unna, mykinswoman, and Asmund, thy father--redder shall be the feast where sitGudruda, thy sister, and Ospakar! The wolf howls at thy door, Bjoern! thegrave-worm opens his mouth! trolls run to and fro upon thy threshold,and the ghosts of men speed Hellwards! Ill were the deeds of Groa--worseshall be the deeds of Groa's daughter! Red is thy hall with blood,Bjoern!--for Whitefire is aloft and--_I tell thee Eric comes!_"--and withone great cry she fell back--dead.

  Now they stood amazed, and trembling in their fear.

  "Saevuna hath spoken strange words," said Bjoern.

  "Shall we be frightened by a dead hag?" quoth Ospakar, drawing hisbreath again. "Fellows, bear this carrion forth, or we fling it to thedogs."

  Then the men tied the body of Saevuna, Thorgrimur's widow, Eric'smother, fast in the chair, and bore it thence. But when at lengththey came to Coldback, they found that Swanhild was there with all herfollowing, and had driven Eric's grieve and his folk to the fells. Butone old carline, who had been nurse to Eric, was left there, and she satwailing in an outhouse, being too weak to move.

  Then the men set down the corpse of Saevuna in the outhouse, and, havingtold all their tale to the carline, they fled also.