Then Ondott was wroth that Grani did not support him in that claim,
and he said: "Now, Frodi, I call to mind that ere thou wentest away,
thou didst assault me here in this smithy. Outlaw will I make thee
therefor."
Frodi made a sudden step, and behold! there he was within reach of
Ondott, holding the bill in such wise that he might have thrust Ondott
through, albeit Frodi neither raised the weapon aloft nor brandished
it. He said:
"Now for the love which has always been between us, be so kind as to
speak me free of guilt in that matter, when I drew weapon on thee."
In a fright Ondott stretched forth his hand and spoke Frodi free of
that guilt. So Frodi suddenly shifted the bill in his hand, and the
point touched the ground; none who had not looked close would have
supposed any threat had been made. Said Frodi: "See how kind Ondott is
to me, in asking no atonement, being in no danger from me. Witness ye
all that I am clear in that matter."
Grani smiled and rode away, and the men next; Ondott followed,
mightily vexed that that simple one had so bested him.
Now the time came for men to ride to the Althing, and with all state
Einar rode thither with his son. Then for the first time Grani saw the
power of that land which he had despised, for chiefs met there who
were greater in riches than Orkney thanes, having great followings,
all richly dressed. But all were obedient to the law; and a wonderful
thing that was, to see men of such power yielding in lawsuits to
lesser men, and bringing no cases to weapons. And Grani learned that
his father was of no consequence at all in that place, for men passed
him by and gave him no honor. Yet for all that Grani's pride grew, and
he said that men should some day recognize him there. And he rode home
moodily behind his company.
Now as men rode again toward the west, Grani saw one man whom he had
oft remarked at the Thing: Kolbein the son of Burning-Flosi, destined
to be a leader among men. Grani wished friendship with him greatly.
And Kolbein rode to Grani and said: "Keeps thy father his harvest
feast this year as before, asking company thereto?"
"Yea," answered Grani. "Wilt thou come?"
"Gladly will I come," answered Kolbein, "and will bring friends with
me, if so be we shall be welcome."
"Welcome will ye all be," said Grani, and rode home cheered.
Now when they were come to Cragness, Helga met them at the door and
welcomed them in. They asked if aught had happened in their absence.
Said she, "Nothing save that the carline Thurid was here yestreen, and
I am the first that has heard her speak since she left here in the
spring."
They asked what were her words.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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