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Page 30
And again:
"The prince's retainers withdrew in fear
when Bersi threatened their hearts to pierce."
Grettir returned with Thorfinn to the North and stayed with him
until he found a ship with some traders who were bound for
Iceland. Thorfinn gave him many valuable garments and a coloured
saddle with a bridle. They parted with friendship, and Thorfinn
invited him to come and see him if ever he returned to Norway.
CHAPTER XXV
EVENTS IN ICELAND. THORGILS MAKSSON ATTACKED BY THE FOSTER-
BROTHERS AND SLAIN
Asmund Longhair was in Bjarg whilst Grettir was away, and was
much respected as a bondi in Midfjord. Thorkell Krafla had died
during Grettir's absence. Thorvald Asgeirsson dwelt in Ass in
Vatnsdal and was a great chief. He was the father of Dalla who
married Isleif, afterwards bishop in Skalaholt. Asmund had great
support from Thorvald in legal suits and in other matters.
There grew up in Asmund's household a youth named Thorgils
Maksson, a near kinsman of his. Thorgils was a strong man of his
body and made much money under Asmund's guidance; he dwelt at
Laekjamot, on a property which Asmund had bought for him.
Thorgils was a good manager and went to Strandir every year,
where he obtained whales and other things. He was a man of great
courage, and went as far as the eastern Almenningar. At that
time the two foster-brothers Thorgeir Havarsson and Thormod
Coalbrow-Skald were very much to the front; they kept a boat,
gathering what they wanted from the country around, and had not
the reputation of dealing fairly.
One summer Thorgils Maksson found a whale at the Almenningar and
went out at once with his men to cut it up. When the two
foster-brothers heard of it they went there too, and at first it
seemed as if matters would be settled peaceably. Thorgils
proposed that they should share equally that part of the whale
which was yet uncut, but they wanted to have all the uncut part
or else to share the entire whale. Thorgils positively refused
to give up any portion of what had already been cut. They began
to use threats and at last took to their arms and fought.
Thorgeir and Thorgils fought each of them desperately together
without either prevailing. After a long and furious battle
Thorgils fell slain by Thorgeir. In another place Thormod was
fighting with the followers of Thorgils, and he overcame them,
killing three. Those who remained of Thorgils' party went off
after he fell to Midfjord, taking his body with them and feeling
that they had suffered a great loss. The foster-brothers took
possession of the whole whale. The affair is referred to in the
memorial poem which Thormod composed upon Thorgeir.
News of the death of his kinsman was brought to Asmund Longhair,
on whom as nearest of kin the blood-feud devolved. He went to
the spot, called witnesses to testify to the wounds and brought
the case before the All-Thing, which appeared to be the proper
course in this case where the act had been committed in another
quarter. Some time was passed over this.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE FEUD WITH THE FOSTER-BROTHERS IS TAKEN UP BY ASMUND AND
THORSTEINN KUGGASON
There was a man named Thorsteinn; he was the son of Thorkell
Kuggi, the son of Thord Yeller, the son of Olaf Feilan, the son
of Thorsteinn the Red, the son of Aud the Deep-Minded.
Thorsteinn Kuggason's mother was Thurid, daughter of Asgeir
Hothead. Asgeir was the brother of Asmund Longhair's father.
Thorsteinn Kuggason was equally responsible in the blood-feud
over Thorgils' death with Asmund Longhair, who now sent for him.
Thorsteinn was a great warrior and very masterful. He came at
once to his kinsman Asmund and they had a talk together about the
suit. Thorsteinn was for extreme measures. He said that no
blood-money should be accepted; that with their connections they
were powerful enough to carry through a sentence of either
banishment or death on the slayer. Asmund said he would support
any measures whatever that he chose to adopt. They rode then
North to Thorvald their kinsman and asked for his support, which
he at once promised them. So the suit was begun against Thorgeir
and Thormod. Thorsteinn then rode home to his dwelling at
Ljarskogar in the Hvamm district. Skeggi in Hvamm also joined
Thorsteinn. He was a son of Thorarin Fylsenni, a son of Thord
the Yeller. His mother was Fridgerd, a daughter of Thord from
Hofdi. They had a large following at the All-Thing and pressed
their suit valiantly. Asmund and Thorvald rode from the North
with sixty men, halting several days at Ljarskogar.
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