_Haf_.--What council shall we take, Kolbein? Broddi is advancing rapidly. _Kolbein_.--You, Asbjorn, will cross the mountains with a dozen men and advise my wife Helga to draw all guards from the west as fast as is at all possible. You yourself will continue your journey south over the Kjol to Hjalti, the son of the bishop to come north at once with all the men he can summon, to prevent difficulties here. _Asbjorn_.--Indeed, a strenuous journey, now at the height of winter! _Kolbein_.--Maintain the length of your days' journeys as if I were along myself, and be back at Flugumyr by the next Sunday. (ASBJORN _departs_.) But you, Haf, will take half of the company remaining, and take position in the fortifications close by. The horses you will let into the fort. The other half you will let take position on the outside of the gates of the fort, so that we may leave it at our will. We shall hold the fortification until help comes to us, if need be. Let all undo the peace-straps[A] from their swords! [Footnote A: Straps wound round the sheath and fastened to a ring in the hilt.] _Haf_.--I shall arrange all as you command. (_Departs_.) _Kolbein_ (_to the_ BISHOP, _who is about to leave_).--Bide an instant, bishop! Remain here at my side! If it appears that Broddi's men show any hostilities towards me, I shall behead you here before the high altar. _Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Broddi's men! Are they so wise, I wonder? (_Aloud_.) You will permit me to speak with Kolbein Kaldajos, in order that he may adjust our difficulties. _Kolbein_.--Are you thinking perhaps that he should come here with his men to take care of us? _Botolf_.--Far from it. (_About to leave_.) _Kolbein_ (_grasping the_ BISHOP _by the wrist_).--You will not go hence alive, sir bishop; if you stir the church will have another saint (_points to Bishop Gudmund's tomb_). _Botolf_.--It would be a fair death for the servant of God. But unlikely it is that you will accomplish this deed of violence, because God's angels follow me wherever I go. _Kolbein_.--I, too, have attendant wraiths; my victory at Orlygsstad, my pursuits of Thord Kakali, my raid to Reykholar, and my journey over Tvidaegra Heath with thirty men. _Botolf_.--Angels with black wings all, Kolbein! _Kolbein_.--Whatever the hue of their wings, yet they cause me to come out of every fray unscathed and more powerful than other men. _Botolf_.--God has hardened your heart, Kolbein! _Kolbein_.--And you, cease to aid my cousin Brand and Broddi, and never release them from the interdict! _Botolf_.--I have released them. _Kolbein_.--That is an act of open hostility against me. _Botolf_.--Whilst I am bishop I have the power of the keys, and not you. _Kolbein_.--I have undone the gates of death for more men than I wished, and _that_ power of the keys, I know, is not lies and wonders.