_Thorolf_.--His blood would have spurted on the cross, had it been held so near. (_Wrathfully_.) And likewise would I do to you, Einar the Rich, if Kolbein struck off your head. Your wife is a kinswoman of Thord Kakali, and dreamt have I that you will find an earlier grave than will I. _Einar_.--An evil business it is to threaten me with death. No one knows who will be buried first. A faithful follower of Kolbein I have been. _Thorolf_.--'Scarce shall I trust you, Troll, quoth Haustkoll.' _Sigurd_.--Wicked speech this is and witless. (_Enter_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON, BRODDI THORLEIFSSON, HELGI SKAFTASON, _and others_.) _Brand_.--You here, Thorolf Bjarnason? _Thorolf_.--Ay, sir; and with a message for you, for Broddi, and for other chieftains, from Kolbein the Young. _Brand_.--Is it that Thord Kakali is expected from the West with war? _Thorolf_.--Not to my knowledge. He is still busy drinking the arvel after Tumi his brother, whom we put to death this last week! _Alf_.--Yes, and he and his men are now drinking the ale by the bowlful, they say. _Brand_.--What of it, if Thord does give his men in plenty? _Thorolf_.--And why should we not speak of it, we who know what folly it is for men to drink heavily before going to war? _Einar_.--A generous chieftain is Thord Kakali, and likely to accomplish great deeds. No chieftain in this land has ever lost so many men as has he. It is not seeming to make sport of his sorrow. _Thorolf_.--None have I ever seen flee so fast as these men of Thord's, they urge each other on to flight. _Brand_.--Idle speech is this, Thorolf! _Thorolf_.--I say what I will, and care not whether others like it or no. _Broddi_.--Where is the message my brother-in-law sends us? _Thorolf_ (_handing the letter to_ BRAND).--I have lived all my life in warfare and am not able to read. _Brand_ (_handing the letter to_ DEACON SIGURD).--Read for us, deacon! _Einar the Rich_ (_while_ SIGURD _is undoing the strings with which the parchment is tied, aside to_ ALF OF GROF).--I know you are no friend of Thorolf; stay behind here and help me to persuade Brand Kolbeinsson. _Alf_ (_aside to_ EINAR THE RICH).--Broddi and all of Thorolf's neighbors hate him because he elbows himself forward ruthlessly. Against my will I left my home with Thorolf; but how shall I help you? _Einar_ (_aside to_ ALF).--Help me dye Thorolf's white coat of mail as red as blood. _Alf_ (_aside_).--Hush! We would have to fight against great odds. _Einar_ (_aside_).--Not if Brand Kolbeinsson were on our side. _Alf_ (_aside_).--Brand--indeed! No, if Broddi Thorleifsson were with us.