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Page 7
_Kolbein_.--I wanted, with the assistance of my kinsmen and of others,
to make such provisions for our dominions as would most likely result in
peace for the district.
_Brand_.--Peace we should desire for every consideration, since many
regions are beginning to grow poor.
_Sigurd_.--The wars have fanned into flame hatred and malice over all
the land.
_Botolf_.--Blessed are the peacemakers!
_Kolbein_.--During these last days the deep wound I received in the
battle of Orlygsstad has been troubling me sorely, and I am so exhausted
that I often look forward to death. Now you well know that Thord Kakali
has lost through me both father and five brothers. That stands in the
way of peace in the district. I therefore offer to go abroad and give up
all my dominions.
_Helga_.--Give up all dominions!
_Botolf_.--And yield them to King Hakon?
_Kolbein_.--If King Hakon should lay claim to my lands I should give him
six feet of land, or so much less as he lacks in height. To give Iceland
to him is as bad as yielding up one's soul to the devil.
_Brand_.--But who is to receive the lands?
_Kolbein_.--I shall give all my dominions to Thord Kakali, and thus
atone for the killing of his father and brothers. Your own cases would
then be at his mercy. I expect that you will fare well in this, because
just then did Thord prove to be my best friend when I entrusted my
matters entirely to him; at that time you were also on friendly terms,
you and the men from Skagafirth.
_Botolf_.--That would be a disposition promising peace, if the king
himself is not to receive the dominion. (_Aside_.) It is the same as if
King Hakon did receive it.
_Brand_.--You will deprive me of my rightful inheritance, and give up
_all_ your dominions to Thord! Then will I rather fight for them until I
fall.
_Broddi_.--Thord may think he has so much to settle with us that we
could not endure the punishments he would inflict upon us--that is, if
we had any desire to do so.
_Einar_.--If all dominions were given up to Thord he would treat us
well.
_Botolf_.--And then there would be peace on earth and good-will among
men.
_Thorolf_.--In Thord's Hall all we, your men, would have to sit upon the
lower bench. His men whom we have pursued, wounded, stripped of their
clothes, and beaten whenever we engaged them, they would take revenge on
us, under cover of him. All of us desire but one of two things, _to do
battle_ until we gain peace, or else, to fall with such renown as is
granted us.
_Asbjorn_.--We will follow no other man whilst you live.
_The followers of Kolbein_.--No, no other man!
_Kolbein_.--Then your other choice is that all yeomen at their own
expense guard in four parties the frontier during the remainder of
winter. The first will have to be on the Skagafirth, to guard the road
over the Kjol and the ways leading from Storasand. The second guard will
have to be in Vididale, Vatnsdale, and Nupsdale to watch the paths over
the Grimstungu-heath, and the one over Tvid�gra-heath. The third and
fourth guards will have to be in Midfirth and Hrutafirth, and to protect
the ways along the Holtavordu-heath, and those from the Dales and
Strands. When the sea is safe two light-sailing vessels will have to be
sent around the Skaw to reconnoitre the sea-way toward the west.
_Broddi_.--Well, you have thought out everything, brother-in-law; to me
this plan of war seems in every regard the best.
_Thorolf_.--If it is followed, Thord will never return west alive over
the Blanda River, should he attack us.
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