by Allen French
CHAPTER XXVI
OF GRANI'S PRIDE
In the early morning Grani slept quietly at last, and the household ofEinar had peace. Then Ondott called Hallvard and Hallmund, and badethem come with him. To the locked bed they went, but though the doorwas still secure, no sign of those two cousins was to be found, norany way of their escape. And outside the wind had so drifted the snowthat no marks of feet were to be seen. Ondott and his men searched,and came at last to the cove where men watched for the wreckage. Heasked if they had seen those two.
Thither had come, said the men, two whom they knew not, bearingbetween them old Thurid the crone. Now at that hour a spar from theship had just come ashore, and in it was fixed a great bill, its bladedriven so deep into the wood that with all their might three men couldnot draw it forth; they were about to hew it out with axes. Then thetaller of those two men came down to the shingle, and said naught toEinar's men; but he laid hold of the bill and with one tug plucked itforth from the spar, and went off brandishing it and muttering tohimself. Next the two took the old crone again, and went away.
Ondott and his men hurried on their track, and when they had passeddown into the hollows, there the marks of feet were found, pointingstraight to the little hut on the hillside where Asdis dwelt, a leagueaway. So Ondott took more men, and went thither, and knocked on thedoor. Within were Asdis, and Frodi, and the carline Thurid; but nosign of Rolf was to be seen. Frodi sat by the fire and handled thegreat bill, and Thurid lay muffled on the floor as she was wont; therewas a smell of cooking, while very pleased did Asdis seem.
"Where is thy son?" asked Ondott.
"Find him who can," answered Asdis.
They searched that place and found him not, and there was no room tohave hidden a man. So Ondott was angry, and he said to Frodi: "Give usthat bill, which is Einar's, since it came ashore on his beaches."
Frodi answered mildly: "I pray thee leave it me." But as he spoke hethrust the butt of the bill down upon the floor, where the earth wastramped as hard as any stone; and the butt made a great dent in thefloor. Ondott thought it best not to meddle with him, and went homeempty-handed.
Grani lay two days sick and weary, but then he was himself again.Neither Einar nor any of his men told him how he came ashore, butspoke as if they had saved him. Einar sent men everywhere to find Rolfand seize him; yet in all the dales no man had seen or heard of him.So when Grani asked if others got ashore from the wreck, Einaranswered: "That outlaw Rolf, and his cousin Frodi. And Frodi is at hissmithy again, there not far from the ferry to Hvamm."
"Where is Rolf?" Grani asked.
"No man knows save Frodi," answered Einar, "and he sayeth not."
Then spoke Grani, lying on his bed. "Father, Rolf told a hard taleagainst thee in the Orkneys: how thou slewest his father foully, andnow holdest his land in spite of right. Now tell me the truth of allthis, ere I accept aught from thee."
Then Einar was greatly frightened lest Grani should learn the truthand despise him; he made as if he were offended, and went away,saying: "And canst thou think that of me?" But when he was out ofGrani's sight, he sought Ondott in haste, and asked him what he shoulddo.
Quoth Ondott: "Leave all to me. I will settle this." So he went toGrani, and Einar with him. Einar said: "I have brought Ondott to tellthe truth, for thou wilt better believe some one else, speaking in mydefence."
Then Ondott told a long tale of Hiarandi, how he was overbearing andinsolent, and preyed on Einar's crops and cattle. Moreover Hiarandiwas a dangerous and violent man, going always armed, so that one daywhen he was in the act of theft and Einar's men were about to seizehim--but Einar had commanded not to harm him--Hiarandi had so attackedthose men that to save their own lives they had slain him. And Rolfhad no right to the land, being outlawed at the Althing.
"Now tell me," said Ondott, "when ye twain were together in Orkney,did not Rolf offer peace if thou wouldst but get him this homesteadagain?"
"Twice he did that," answered Grani.
"See now," cried Ondott, "the guile that is in him!"
Then Grani believed all that Ondott had said, and thought evil ofRolf, and craved his father's pardon. Einar forgave him. And whenGrani was well again Einar showered him with kindnesses, for fearinglest his son should learn evil of him he did all that he might to earnGrani's love, sparing neither words, deeds, nor money. Einar gave thefinest of clothes, and horses, and attendants, so that not with Ar thePeacock had Grani had such state. Wherefore he took to himself suchpride as had been his in the Orkneys.
He went abroad among the Iceland folk, and saw that they were a simplepeople, each man living upon his own farm and dressing in plainclothes, loving direct speech and homely ways. So Grani missed thebest that was in the people, but thought them mean-spirited. Hedressed always in colored clothes, and had attendants with him, andexpected such respect from men as he had received when he was Ar'sFosterling. Now at Cragness honor was always showed him; but theneighbors of Einar were to Grani blunt of speech, sometimes biting;and he loved them little, thinking them rough.
Two more matters troubled Grani. For he had little happiness in hissister, who seemed almost always downcast, and as if disappointed inhim. And ever deep within his heart lay that love of his for Rolf, norcould he forget their comradeship, nor the dangers they had togetherborne. He took no great satisfaction, therefore, to be a princeling onhis land, but away from it to be treated roughly, and always to havethat desire to see his friend again. Yet he never made to himself anyconfession of fault, believing Rolf in the wrong, both toward himselfand toward Einar. So he hardened his heart and increased his outwardpride, even while he was ever on the watch for news of Rolf.
Now one day he rode abroad with Ondott and his men, and they came tothe hut on the hillside where dwelt Asdis the mother of Rolf. Summerwas come; Asdis sat out of doors by the spring combing flax, withThurid cowled by her side. No welcome gave Asdis to them, but askedtheir errand.
"To learn whether thou hast news of thy son," Ondott said. Now thatwas not true, for they came thither by accident, having hunted higherup in the hills. But Grani said nothing, wishing to learn of Rolf.
"Ever thou liest in wait for blood," answered Asdis. "But ask not mefor news of Rolf. Rather of those who have been near the isle ofDrangey shouldst thou inquire, if none resembling my son have beenseen on the island-top; and whether he, and Grettir the Strong, andIllugi his brother, are likely to be won thence against their wills."
"Now," cried Ondott, "I thank thee for this news. And one in thatland-side, Thorstein Angle, he is my cousin; he will let me know ifever thy son comes thence."
"If Thorstein Angle is thy cousin," said Asdis, "that shows the sayingtrue, that all rogues are akin. But if thou nearest aught from thatregion, I pray thee let me know if my son is well."
Now all the time Thurid sat there, and combed no flax, nor said aword. "And yet," said Ondott, "I hear that the woman works well attimes."
"Speak not so loud in her presence," said Asdis, "for methinks now sheis tranced. Mayhap when she comes to she will prophesy and tell me ofmy son."
"Nay," said Ondott, "the woman is clean daft, so they say, ever sinceshe left our house to wander in the cold. Now who has split the woodthat lieth here, and piled it against the house? For thou hast notdone it."
"I will tell thee," said Asdis, and lowered her voice. "On that nightthe frost got in her brain, mayhap; for she was ever strange, but nowshe is little short of marvellous. Sometimes she works with a man'sstrength; and at such times she splits wood, or carries water, orspades here in my little field. I have done no heavy work since shecame. But she is very silent, nor hath any save me and Frodi seen herface or heard her voice. Such is her mood."
"Now let us ride hence," said Ondott to Grani. "Asdis, I wish thee joyof thy mad-woman."
"Better live with her than alone," quoth Asdis.
So those men rode away, and they spread abroad the news that Rolf wasgone from Broadfirth dales, for he was in Drangey with Grettir the
Strong, and none could draw them from that isle. Steep were its rocksand high, to be scaled only by ladders, and three might hold the placeagainst three hundred.
Word was also spread about of Thurid the crone: how she had fits ofman's strength, and did work for Asdis. Men saw her going with greatstrides, or working in the field; at a distance she seemed taller thanbefore, and bigger across the shoulders; but when one came near sheshrank within herself. Moreover no one heard her voice now, save whenshe mumbled hoarsely.
Now on another day Grani rode to the settlement at Hvammferry, and onhis way homeward came by the smithy of Frodi. Ondott was in hiscompany, with Hallvard and Hallmund; they proposed that they shouldhave sport with the smith, and take from him his bill.
"Sport mayest thou try," said Grani, "but beware lest it turn outagainst thee."
"He is soft as custard," quoth Ondott.
"Otherwise was he in the Orkneys," replied Grani. But for all thatOndott rode to the smithy-door, and called Frodi to come out. He came,and leaned on the handle of his hammer, which was so big that no manhad wielded it since he went away. He asked what they would of him.
Said Ondott: "Here is Grani Earl's Fosterling to require something ofthee."
Frodi said to him: "Was then Grani fostered by the Earl?" And he fixedGrani with his eye; but that one blushed and said naught. For he knewthat his father had boasted of his fostering with the Earl, and neverhad Grani said nay thereto.
Asked Ondott, "Was he not?"
Frodi said, "He came last from the Earl's court." So Frodi, who mighthave spoken honor away from Grani, made him feel more shame than ifthe truth had been said.
"Now," said Ondott, "bring forth the bill which is Einar's, anddeliver it to us."
"Asks Grani that?" Frodi replied.
Grani said, "I ask nothing." And he spurred his horse a few rods away.
Frodi went within the smithy and brought out the bill, but set also ahelm on his head. Said he: "Here is the bill for whomsoever wishesit."
But Grani said over his shoulder, "Leave the bill with him. No use isit to us, for we have none that can wield it."
Then Ondott was wroth that Grani did not support him in that claim,and he said: "Now, Frodi, I call to mind that ere thou wentest away,thou didst assault me here in this smithy. Outlaw will I make theetherefor."
Frodi made a sudden step, and behold! there he was within reach ofOndott, holding the bill in such wise that he might have thrust Ondottthrough, albeit Frodi neither raised the weapon aloft nor brandishedit. He said:
"Now for the love which has always been between us, be so kind as tospeak me free of guilt in that matter, when I drew weapon on thee."
In a fright Ondott stretched forth his hand and spoke Frodi free ofthat guilt. So Frodi suddenly shifted the bill in his hand, and thepoint touched the ground; none who had not looked close would havesupposed any threat had been made. Said Frodi: "See how kind Ondott isto me, in asking no atonement, being in no danger from me. Witness yeall that I am clear in that matter."
Grani smiled and rode away, and the men next; Ondott followed,mightily vexed that that simple one had so bested him.
Now the time came for men to ride to the Althing, and with all stateEinar rode thither with his son. Then for the first time Grani saw thepower of that land which he had despised, for chiefs met there whowere greater in riches than Orkney thanes, having great followings,all richly dressed. But all were obedient to the law; and a wonderfulthing that was, to see men of such power yielding in lawsuits tolesser men, and bringing no cases to weapons. And Grani learned thathis father was of no consequence at all in that place, for men passedhim by and gave him no honor. Yet for all that Grani's pride grew, andhe said that men should some day recognize him there. And he rode homemoodily behind his company.
Now as men rode again toward the west, Grani saw one man whom he hadoft remarked at the Thing: Kolbein the son of Burning-Flosi, destinedto be a leader among men. Grani wished friendship with him greatly.And Kolbein rode to Grani and said: "Keeps thy father his harvestfeast this year as before, asking company thereto?"
"Yea," answered Grani. "Wilt thou come?"
"Gladly will I come," answered Kolbein, "and will bring friends withme, if so be we shall be welcome."
"Welcome will ye all be," said Grani, and rode home cheered.
Now when they were come to Cragness, Helga met them at the door andwelcomed them in. They asked if aught had happened in their absence.Said she, "Nothing save that the carline Thurid was here yestreen, andI am the first that has heard her speak since she left here in thespring."
They asked what were her words.
"I was here alone in the hall," Helga said, "for all the women weremaking cheeses in the out-bower. And Thurid came in and shuffled aboutthe place, looking at things. I bade her be seated, for I would bringher milk and oat-cake; but when I brought them she had the great bowin her hands, and looked at it but would not eat. So I set the foodaway again; and when I returned she had the bow and the quiver, andwas near the door as if to take them away. She said nothing when Iasked what she did with those; so I stood in her way, thinking I wasstronger than she. With one hand she set me aside, and I might resisther no more than if she were a man. So she bore the bow and arrowsfrom the house, and I thought they were gone; but on a sudden she wasback again, and laid them on the bench. And she said in a deep voicenot like her own:
"'Not with women do I strive.'
"Then with great steps she went out of the hall, and came not again."
Those three, Einar and Ondott and Grani, looked at each other withalarm. For if that bow, left in the ward of women, had thus beentaken, men could know neither the day nor the hour when Rolf mightcome, and make the shot at the oak-tree before witnesses, when allwould be over with the house of Einar. And ere aught was said Einartook the bow and bestowed it under a settle, where it was well hid.Then they praised their fortune that they had it still.
So all sat down to meat, and ate gladly, for they had journeyed dayslong from the Thing-field. Then night fell, and they spoke of manythings; at last Einar asked his son: "What said to thee Kolbein son ofFlosi, there ere our roads parted?"
"He asked me," answered Grani, "whether we hold the harvest feast aslast year, and if he and his company would be welcome."
Says Einar, rubbing his hands: "Now the great folk come to alliancewith us; and when a few chiefs have visited here, then thou mayestcount thyself their equal in all things, even as thou art in wealth.Of course thou badst him come?"
"That I did," says Grani.
So Ondott praised him. "Men have marked thee, there at the Thing, andseek to ally themselves with thee."
But Helga, who had listened, burst into tears.
"What is it," asks Grani, "that makes thee weep?"
Helga dashed the tears from her eyes, and stood before those two, herfather and her brother. "Much had I hoped," says she, "that wickeddoings would cease in this house--for to mock the dead and theunfortunate is wicked. And if ye hold the feast as last year, andshoot at the boundary as then, laughing at Hiarandi's fortune, then yetempt your own fate, for such deeds go not unpunished long."
"Now," asked Grani of his father, "hast thou so mocked that lucklessman's fate?" Einar said he had, and it was seen that Grani thoughtthat act far too strong.
"Yet see," said Ondott, "what friends that brings you now, for fromthe house of Flosi comes this offer of friendship."
Now as they spoke someone knocked at the door, and there was ahousecarle of Snorri the Priest.
"My master," said he, "passes on his way home from the Althing, andsends me to ask: hold ye your harvest feast as last year, and will heand his company be welcome?"
"Oh, hold it not!" cried Helga.
Then Einar turned to Grani. "The mightiest man in Broadfirth dalesoffers now his friendship, and thy future is sure. Shall we not holdthe feast?"
Grani turns to the housecarle of Snorri, and says: "Beg thy master tocome!"