_Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--Thorolf insulted my son by giving him a nickname, and he took revenge for that. _Botolf_.--You Icelanders must be more deliberate in your words than are we Norwegians, if every nickname shall cost a man's life. The slaying of Thorolf was a wicked deed, because Brand swore him an eternal truce. But in this land every one seems hardened in the ways of Kain. _Kolbein Kaldaljos_.--My son Brand will succeed to Kolbein the Young! _Botolf_.--He will succeed Kolbein? Then shall I seek to bring about a reconciliation between you and Kolbein the Young! _Broddi_.--And for the purpose that it come about in the smoothest manner possible I need the fortifications of your see a day or two for my men. _Botolf_.--You will be welcome to use them, Broddi. _Brand_.--In still another matter give me assistance, sir bishop! During the hostilities that have lasted all these years a certain man who was being led to execution summoned me before the tribunal of God. _Botolf_.--For that the Church knows no other help than a general indulgence and your living the rest of your natural life in peace. _Brand_.--In peace? How is that possible now? _Botolf_.--Blessed peace! when will you descend upon this blood-stained earth? _Broddi_ (_smiling_).--You must call out louder, my lord, to do some good! The blessed peace has been stricken with deafness these times. _Botolf_.--Oh wicked mockery! _Broddi_.--Wicked indeed, if it were not true. (_The cleric_ HELGI _enters quickly_.) _Helgi_.--Kolbein the Young is riding toward Holar at this moment, with a hundred men. _Alf_.--Let us flee to the mountains. _Broddi_.--Let us wait for my brother-in-law Kolbein at this spot. _Alf_.--He will have us dragged out of the church and killed. _Broddi_.--I shall not flee with my shield on my back. _Brand_.--No, friend Broddi, we shall not part as yet. (_Seizes hold of_ BRODDI, _whom they drag out by force between them_.) _Broddi_.--Why run away thus? I care not when I die. (BRAND _and his eleven companions depart, together with_ KOLBEIN KALDALJOS.) _Helgi_.--Now they will offer you violence, my lord. _Botolf_.--I expect no harm from Kolbein the Young, no wrong have I done in this land, but only what all may thank me for, and that is to reconcile the chieftains. _Helgi_.--But it was in your presence that Gizur betrayed Uraekja at the bridge over the White River. _Botolf_.--But Kolbein released Uraekja again! _Helgi_.--Much do you say in defence of Kolbein the Young; the enemy of our sainted Bishop Gudmund Arason, my father-brother. Now the blessed bishop has revealed himself to me in a dream and announced that at this very hour he would make known his glory and power, right here in the church, through a miracle on Illugi, a wretched blind man. I wish much that Kolbein should behold it, so that he might repent of his ill deeds against this holy man. A miraculum magnum will come to pass!