"If thou goest, I will go also," said Eric. "Thralls or no thralls, I
will go, Gudruda."

"Thou art cruel to drive me to such a choice, and I have a mind to give
thee to thy fate."

"As thou wilt," said Eric; but she made as though she did not hear his
words.

"Now," she said, "if we must stay here, it is better that we hide where
thou didst hide, lest some come upon thee." And she passed through the
screen of rushes and sat down in a grassy place beyond, and spoke again.

"Nay, sit not near me; sit yonder. I would not touch thee, nor look upon
thee, who wast Swanhild's love, and didst slay Björn my brother."

"Say, Gudruda," said Eric, "did I not tell thee of the magic arts of
Swanhild? Did I not tell thee before all men yonder in the hall, and
didst thou not say that thou didst believe my words? Speak."

"That is true," said Gudruda.

"Wherefore, then, dost thou taunt me with being Swanhild's love--with
being the love of her whom of all alive I hate the most--and whose
wicked guile has brought these sorrows on us?"

But Gudruda did not answer.

"And for this matter of the death of Björn at my hands, think, Gudruda: