"This is my counsel, lord," he said, "that we ride out by night and fall
on the folk of Gizur at Coldback, and burn the stead over them, putting
them to the sword. I am weary of sitting here like an eagle in a cage."

"Such is no counsel of mine, Skallagrim," answered Brighteyes. "I am
weary of sitting here, indeed; but I am yet more weary of bringing men
to their death. I will shed no more blood, unless it is to save my own
head. When the people of Gizur came to seek me on Mosfell, they shall
find me here; but I will not go to them."

"Thy heart is out of thee, lord," said Skallagrim; "thou wast not wont
to speak thus."

"Ay, Skallagrim," said Eric, "the heart is out of me. Yet I ride from
Mosfell to-day."

"Whither, lord?"

"To Middalhof, to have speech with Gudruda the Fair."

"Like enough, then, thou wilt be silent thereafter."

"It well may be," said Eric. "Yet I will ride. I can bear this doubt no
longer."

"Then I shall come with thee," said Skallagrim.

"As thou wilt," answered Eric.

So at midday Eric and Skallagrim rode away from Mosfell in a storm of