Eric Brighteyes

by H. Rider Haggard

  It was just then that a man came who said that the people of Gizur andof Swanhild had burned Gudruda's ship, driving the crew ashore.

  "It is well," said Eric. "We need the ship no more; now hath she whomit should bear wings with which to fly." Then he went in and sat down onthe bed by the body of Gudruda, while Skallagrim crouched on the groundwithout, tearing at his beard and muttering. For the fierce heart ofSkallagrim was broken because of that evil which his drunkenness hadbrought about.

  All day Eric sat thus, looking on his dead love's face, till the hourcame round when he and Gudruda had drunk the bride-cup. Then he rose andkissed dead Gudruda on the lips, saying:

  "I did not look to part with thee thus, sweet! It is sad that thoushouldst have gone and left me here. Natheless, I shall soon follow onthy path."

  Then he called aloud:

  "Art sober, drunkard?"

  Skallagrim came and stood before him, saying nothing.

  "Take thou the feet of her whom thou didst bring to death, and I willtake her head."

  So they lifted up Gudruda and bore her to the grave. Then Eric stoodnear the grave, and, taking dead Gudruda in his arms, looked upon herface by the light of the fire and of the candles that were set about.

  He looked thrice, then sang aloud:

  "Long ago, when swept the snow-blast, Close we clung and plighted troth. Many a year, through storm and sword-song, Sore I strove to win thee, sweet! But last night I held thee, Fairest, Lock'd, a wife, in lover's arms. Now, Gudruda, in thy death-rest, Sleep thou soft till Eric come!

  "Hence I go to wreak thy murder. Hissing fire of flaming stead, Groan of spear-carles, wail of women, Soon shall startle through the night. Then on Mosfell, Kirtle-Wearer, Eric waits the face of Death. Freed from weary life and sorrow, Soon we'll kiss in Hela's halls!"

  Then he laid her in the grave, and, having shrouded a sheet over her,they filled it in together, hiding Gudruda the Fair from the sight ofmen for ever.

  Afterwards Eric armed himself, and this Skallagrim did also. Then hestrode from the hall, and Skallagrim followed him. In the yard thosehorses were still tied that should have carried them to the ship, andon one was the saddle of Gudruda. She had ridden on this horse formany years, and loved it much, for it would follow her like a dog. Ericlooked at him, then said aloud:

  "Gudruda may need thee where she is, Blackmane," for so the horse wasnamed. "At the least, none shall ride thee more!" And he snatched theaxe from the hand of Skallagrim and slew the horse at a blow.

  Then they rode away, heading for Coldback. The night was wild and windy,and the sky dark with scudding clouds, through which the moon peeped outat times. Eric looked up, then spoke to Skallagrim:

  "A good night for burning, drunkard!"

  "Ay, lord; the flames will fly briskly," answered Skallagrim.

  "How many, thinkest thou, walked over thee, drunkard, when thou didstlie yonder in the ale?"

  "I know not," groaned Skallagrim; "but I found this in the soft earthwithout: the print of a man's and a woman's feet; and this on the hillside: the track of two horses ridden hard."

  "Gizur and Swanhild, drunkard," said Eric. "Swanhild cast us into deepsleep by witchcraft, and Gizur dealt the blow. Better for him that hehad never been born than that he has lived to deal that coward's blow!"

  Then they rode on, and when midnight was a little while gone they cameto the stead at Coldback. Now this house was roofed with turves, and thewindows were barred so that none could pass through them. Also in theyard were faggots of birch and a stack of hay.

  Eric and Skallagrim tied their horses in a dell that is to the north ofthe stead and crept up to the house. All was still; but a fire burnt inthe hall, and, looking through a crack, Eric could see many men sleepingabout it. Then he made signs to Skallagrim and together, very silently,they fetched hay and faggots, piling them against the north door of thehouse, for the wind blew from the north. Now Eric spoke to Skallagrim,bidding him stand, axe in hand, by the south door, and slay those whocame out when the reek began to smart them: but he went himself to firethe pile.

  When Brighteyes had made all things ready for the burning, it came intohis mind that, perhaps, Gizur and Swanhild were not in the house. But hewould not hold his hand for this, for he was mad with grief and rage. Soonce more he prepared for the deed, when again he heard a voice in hisear--the voice of Gudruda, and it seemed to say:

  "_Thine oath, Eric! remember thine oath!_"

  Then he turned and the rage went out of his heart.

  "Let them seek me on Mosfell," he said, "I will not slay them secretlyand by reek, the innocent and the guilty together." And he strode roundthe house to where Skallagrim stood at the south door, axe aloft andwatching.

  "Does the fire burn, lord? I see no smoke," whispered Skallagrim.

  "Nay, I have made none. I will shed no more blood, except to save mylife. I leave vengeance to the Norns."

  Now Skallagrim thought that Brighteyes was mad, but he dared saynothing. So they went to their horses, and when they found them,Eric rode back to the house. Presently they drew near, and Eric toldSkallagrim to stay where he was, and riding on to the house, smote heavyblows upon the door, just as Skallagrim once had smitten, before Ericwent up to Mosfell.

  Now Swanhild lay in her shut bed; but she could not sleep, because ofwhat she saw in the eyes of Gudruda. Little may she ever sleep again,for when she shuts her eyes once more she sees that which was written inthe dead eyes of Gudruda. So, as she lay, she heard the blows upon thedoor, and sprang frightened from her bed. Now there was tumult in thehall, for every man rose to his feet in fear, searching for his weapons.Again the loud knocks came.

  "It is the ghost of Eric!" cried one, for Gizur had given out that Ericwas dead at his hand in fair fight.

  "Open!" said Gizur, and they opened, and there, a little way from thedoor, sat Brighteyes on a horse, great and shadowy to see, and behindhim was Skallagrim the Baresark.

  "It is the ghost of Eric!" they cried again.

  "I am no ghost," said Brighteyes. "I am no ghost, ye men of Swanhild.Tell me: is Gizur, the son of Ospakar, among you?"

  "Gizur is here," said a voice; "but he swore he slew thee last night."

  "Then he lied," quoth Eric. "Gizur did not slay me--he murdered Gudrudathe Fair as she lay asleep at my side. See!" and he drew Whitefire fromits scabbard and held it in the rays of the moon that now shone outbetween the cloud rifts. "Whitefire is red with Gudruda's blood--Gudrudaslaughtered in her sleep by Gizur's coward hand!"

  Now men murmured, for this seemed to them the most shameful of alldeeds. But Gizur, hearing, shrank back aghast.

  "Listen again!" said Eric. "I was minded but now to burn you all as yeslept--ay, the firing is piled against the door. Still, I held my hand,for I have sworn to slay no more, except to save my life. Now I ridehence to Mosfell. Thither let Gizur come, Gizur the murderer, andSwanhild the witch, and with them all who will. There I will give themgreeting, and wipe away the blood of Gudruda from Whitefire's blade."

  "Fear not, Eric," cried Swanhild, "I will come, and there thou maystkill me, if thou canst."

  "Against thee, Swanhild," said Eric, "I lift no hand. Do thy worst,I leave thee to thy fate and the vengeance of the Norns. I am nowoman-slayer. But to Gizur the murderer I say, come."

  Then he turned and went, and Skallagrim went with him.

  "Up, men, and cut Eric down!" cried Gizur, seeking to cover his shame.

  But no man stirred.

  XXXI

  HOW ERIC SENT AWAY HIS MEN FROM MOSFELL

  Now Eric and Skallagrim came to Mosfell in safety, and during allthat ride Brighteyes spoke no word. He rode in silence, and in silenceSkallagrim rode after him. The heart of Skallagrim was broken becauseof the sorrow which his drunkenness had brought about, and the heart ofEric was buried in Gudruda's grave.

  On Mosfell Eric found four of his own men, two of whom had been amongthose that the people of
Gizur and Swanhild had driven from Gudruda'sship before they fired her. For no fight had been made on the ship.There also he found Jon, who had been loosed from his bands in the boothby one who heard his cries as he rode past. Now when Jon saw Brighteyes,he told him all, and fell at Eric's feet and wept because he hadbetrayed him in his fear.

  But Eric spoke no angry word to him. Stooping down he raised him,saying, "Thou wast never overstout of heart, Jon, and thou art scarcelyto be blamed because thou didst speak rather than die in torment, thoughperhaps some had chosen so to die and not to speak. Now I am a lucklessman, and all things happen as they are fated, and the words of Atli cometrue, as was to be looked for. The Norns, against whom none may stand,did but work their will through thy mouth, Jon; so grieve no more forthat which cannot be undone."

  Then he turned away, but Jon wept long and loudly.

  That night Eric slept well and dreamed no dreams. But on the morrowhe woke at dawn, and clothed himself and ate. Then he called his mentogether, and with them Skallagrim. They came and stood before him, andEric, drawing Whitefire, leaned upon it and spoke:

  "Hearken, mates," he said: "I know this, that my hours are short anddeath draws on. My years have been few and evil, and I cannot read thepurpose of my life. She whom I loved has been slain by the witchcraft ofSwanhild and the coward hand of Gizur the murderer, and I go to seekher where she waits. I am very glad to go, for now I have no more joy inlife, being but a luckless man; it is an ill world, friends, and allthe ways are red with blood. I have shed much blood, though but one lifehaunts me now at the last, and that is the life of Atli the Earl, for hewas no match for my might and he is dead because of my sin. With my ownblood I will wash away the blood of Atli, and then I seek another place,leaving nothing but a tale to be told in the ingle when fall the wintersnows. For to this end we all come at the last, and it matters little ifit find us at midday or at nightfall. We live in sorrow, we die in painand darkness: for this is the curse that the Gods have laid upon menand each must taste it in his season. But I have sworn that no more menshall die for me. I will fight the last great fight alone; for I knowthis: I shall not easily be overcome, and with my fallen foes I willtread on Bifrost Bridge. Therefore, farewell! When the bones of EricBrighteyes lie in their barrow, or are picked by ravens on the mountainside, Gizur will not trouble to hunt out those who clung to him, ifindeed Gizur shall live to tell the tale. Nor need ye fear the hate ofSwanhild, for she aims her spears at me alone. Go, therefore, and whenI am dead, do not forget me, and do not seek to avenge me, for Death theavenger of all will find them also."

  Now Eric's men heard and groaned aloud, saying that they would die withhim, for they loved Eric one and all. Only Skallagrim said nothing.

  Then Brighteyes spoke again: "Hear me, comrades. If ye will not go, myblood will be on your heads, for I will ride out alone, and meet the menof Gizur in the plain and fall there fighting."

  Then one by one they crept away to seek their horses in the dell. Andeach man as he went came to Eric and kissed his hand, then passed thenceweeping. Jon was the last to go, except Skallagrim only, and he was somoved that he could not speak at all.

  It was this Jon who, in after years, when he was grown very old,wandered from stead to stead telling the deeds of Eric Brighteyes, andalways finding a welcome because of his tale, till at length, as hejourneyed, he was overtaken by a snowstorm and buried in a drift. ForJon, who lacked much, had this gift: he had a skald's tongue. Men havealways held that it was to the honour of Jon that he told the tale thus,hiding nothing, seeing that some of it is against himself.

  Now when all had gone, Eric looked at Skallagrim, who still stood nearhim, axe in hand.

  "Wherefore goest thou not, drunkard?" he said. "Surely thou wilt findale and mead in the vales or oversea. Here there is none. Hasten! Iwould be alone!"

  Now the great body of Skallagrim shook with grief and shame, and the redblood poured up beneath his dark sin. Then he spoke in a thick voice:

  "I did not think to live to hear such words from the lips of EricBrighteyes. They are well earned, yet it is unmanly of thee, lord, thusto taunt one who loves thee. I would sooner die as Swanhild said yonderthrall should die than live to listen to such words. I have sinnedagainst thee, indeed, and because of my sin my heart is broken. Hastthou, then, never sinned that thou wouldst tear it living from my breastas eagles tear a foundered horse? Think on thine own sins, Eric, andpity mine! Taunt me thus once more or bid me go once more and I will goindeed! I will go thus--on the edge of yonder gulf thou didstovercome me by thy naked might, and there I swore fealty to thee, EricBrighteyes. Many a year have we wandered side by side, and, standingback to back, have struck many a blow. I am minded to do this: to standby thee in the last great fight that draws on and to die there withthee. I have loved no other man save thee, and I am too old to seek newlords. Yet, if still thou biddest me, I will go thus. Where I swore myoath to thee, there I will end it. For I will lay me down on the brinkof yonder gulf, as once I lay when thy hand was at my throat, and callout that thou art no more my lord and I am no more thy thrall. Then Iwill roll into the depths beneath, and by this death of shame thou shaltbe freed of me, Eric Brighteyes."

  Eric looked at the great man--he looked long and sadly. Then he spoke:

  "Skallagrim Lambstail, thou hast a true heart. I too have sinned, andnow I put away thy sin, although Gudruda is dead through thee and I mustdie because of thee. Stay by me if thou wilt and let us fall together."

  Then Skallagrim came to Eric, and, kneeling before him, took his handsand kissed them.

  "Now I am once more a man," he said, "and I know this: we two shall diesuch a great death that it will be well to have lived to die it!" and hearose and shouted:

  "A! hai! A! hai! I see foes pass in pride! A! hai! A! hai! Valkyries ride the wind! Hear the song of the sword! Whitefire is aloft--aloft! Bare is the axe of the Baresark! Croak, ye nesting ravens; Flap your wings, ye eagles, For bright is Mosfell's cave with blood! Lap! lap! thou Grey Wolf, Laugh aloud, Odin!

  "Laugh till shake the golden doors; Heroes' feet are set on Bifrost, Open, ye hundred gates! A! hai! A! hai! red runs the fray! A! hai! A! hai! Valkyries ride the wind!"

  Then Skallagrim turned and went to clean his harness and the golden helmof Eric.

  Now at Coldback Gizur spoke with Swanhild.

  "Thou hast brought the greatest shame upon me," he said, "for thou hastcaused me to slay a sleeping woman. Knowest thou that my own men willscarcely speak with me? I have come to this evil pass, through love ofthee, that I have slain a sleeping woman!"

  "It was not my fault that thou didst kill Gudruda," answered Swanhild;"surely I thought it was Eric whom thy sword pierced! I have not soughtthy love, Gizur, and I say this to thee: go, if thou wilt, and leave mealone!"

  Now Gizur looked at her, and was minded to go; but, as Swanhild knewwell, she held him too fast in the net of her witcheries.

  "I would go, if I might go!" answered Gizur; "but I am bound to thee forgood or evil, since it is fated that I shall wed thee."

  "Thou wilt never wed me while Eric lives," said Swanhild.

  Now she spoke thus truthfully, and by chance, as it were, not as drivingGizur on to slay Eric--for, now that Gudruda was dead, she was in twominds as to this matter, since, if she might, she still desired to takeEric to herself--but meaning that while Eric lived she would wed noother man. But Gizur took it otherwise.

  "Eric shall certainly die if I may bring it about," he answered, andwent to speak with his men.

  Now all were gathered in the yard at Coldback, and that was a greatcompany. But their looks were heavy because of the shame that Gizur,Ospakar's son, had brought upon them by the murder of Gudruda in hersleep.

  "Hearken, comrades!" said Gizur: "great shame is come upon me because ofa deed that I have done unwittingly, for I aimed at the eagle Eric and Ihave slain the swan Gudruda."

  Then a certain old viking in the company, na
med Ketel, whom Gizur hadhired for the slaying of Eric, spoke:

  "Man or woman, it is a niddering deed to kill folk in their sleep,Gizur! It is murder, and no less, and small luck can be hoped for fromthe stroke."

  Now Gizur felt that his people looked on him askance and heavily, andknew that it would be hard to show them that he was driven to this deedagainst his will, and by the witchcraft of Swanhild. So, as was hisnature, he turned to guile for shelter, like a fox to his hole, andspoke to them with the tongue of a lawman; for Gizur had great skill inspeech.

  "That tale was not all true which Eric Brighteyes told you," he said."He was mad with grief, and moreover it seems that he slept, and onlywoke to find Gudruda dead. It came about thus: I stood with the ladySwanhild, and was about to call aloud on Eric to arm himself and comeforth and meet me face to face----"

  "Then, lord, methinks thou hadst never met another foe," quoth theviking Ketel who had spoken first.

  "When of a sudden," went on Gizur, taking no note of Ketel's words, "oneclothed in white sprang from the bed and rushed on me. Then I, thinkingthat it was Eric, lifted sword, not to smite, but to ward him away; butthe linen-wearer met the sword and fell down dead. Then I fled, fearinglest men should wake and trap us, and that is all the tale. It was nofault of mine if Gudruda died upon the sword."