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there on thy father s inheritance. No harm will there touch thee from our kin; but in this land tis to be
looked for that through all thy days our kin will be the more powerful. Yet for the sake of king
Athelstan, my foster-father, thou shalt have peace here in the land, and shalt get law and land-right, for
I know that he holds thee right dear.
Egil thanked the king for his words, and prayed that the king would give him sure tokens to Thord in
Aurland, or to other barons in Sogn and Hordaland. The king said that this should be done.
Chapter 67 - Egil slays Ljot the Pale.
Thorstein and Egil made ready for their journey so soon as they had ended their errand. They then
went their way back, and when they came south over the Dovre-fell, then said Egil that he would go
down to Raumsdale, and after that south by way of the sounds. I will, said he, finish my business in
Sogn and Hordaland, for I would fain in the summer take my ship out to Iceland. Thorstein bade him
settle his journey as he would. So Thorstein and Egil separated.
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Thorstein went south by the dales all the way till he came to his estates. There he produced the tokens
of the king and his message before the stewards, that they should give up all that property which they
had taken and Thorstein claimed. No one spoke against it, and he then took all his property.
Egil went his way, they being twelve in all. They came on to Raumsdale, there got them conveyance,
and then went south to Mæri. Nothing is told of their journey before they came to the island called
Hod, and went to pass the night at a farm named Bindheim. This was a well-to-do homestead, in which
dwelt a baron named Fridgeir. He was young in years, and had but lately inherited his father s
property. His mother was named Gyda; she was a sister of lord Arinbjorn, a woman of a noble
presence and wealthy. She managed the house for her son Fridgeir: they lived in grand style. There
Egil and his company found good welcome. In the evening Egil sat next to Fridgeir, and his comrades
outside him. There was much drink and sumptuous viands. Gyda, the house-mistress, in the evening
had some talk with Egil. She inquired about Arinbjorn, her brother, and other of her kinsmen and
friends who had gone to England with Arinbjorn. Egil answered her inquiries. She asked what tidings
had befallen in Egil s journey. He told her plainly. Then he sang:
Gloomy on me glowered
In gruesome wrath a king:
But cuckoo faints and fails not
For vulture flapping near.
Aid good from Arinbjorn,
As oft, and peace I gat.
He falls not whom true friends
Help forward on his way.
Egil was very cheerful that evening, but Fridgeir and his household were rather silent. Egil saw there a
maiden fair and well dressed; he was told that she was Fridgeir s sister. The maiden was sad and wept
constantly that evening, which they thought strange. They were there for the night, but in the morning
the wind was blowing hard, and there was no putting to sea. They need a boat to take them from the
island. Then went Fridgeir and with him Gyda to Egil, and offered that he and his comrades should
stay there till it was good travelling weather, and should have thence such help for the journey as they
needed. This Egil accepted. They stayed there weather-bound for three nights, most hospitably
entertained. After that the weather became calm.
Then Egil and his men rose up early in the morning and made ready; then went to meat, and ale was
given them to drink, and they sat awhile. Then they took their clothes. Egil stood up and thanked the
master and mistress of the house for their entertainment; then they went out. The master and his
mother went out into the path with them. Gyda then went to speak with her son Fridgeir, and talked
low with him, Egil standing the while and waiting for them.
Egil said to the maiden: Why weep you, maiden? I never see you cheerful.
She could not answer, but wept the more. Fridgeir now said to his mother aloud: I will not now ask
this. They are even now ready for their journey.
Then Gyda went to Egil and said: I will tell you, Egil, how things stand here with us. There is a man
named Ljot the Pale. He is a Berserk and a duellist; he is hated. He came here and asked my daughter
to wife; but we answered at once, refusing the match. Whereupon he challenged my son Fridgeir to
wager of battle; and he has to go to-morrow to this combat on the island called Vors. Now I wished,
Egil, that you should go to the combat with Fridgeir. It would soon be shown if Arinbjorn were here in
the land, that we should not endure the overbearing of such a fellow as is Ljot.
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Egil said: Tis but my bounden duty, lady, for the sake of Arinbjorn thy kinsman that I go, if Fridgeir
thinks this any help to him.
Herein you do well, said Gyda. So we will go back into the hall, and be all together for the whole
day.
Then Egil and the rest went into the hall and drank. They sate there for the day. But in the evening
came those friends of Fridgeir who had appointed to go with him, and there was a numerous company
for the night, and a great banquet. On the morrow Fridgeir made ready to go, and many with him, Egil
being one of the party. It was now good travelling weather.
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