Egil’s Saga

by E R Eddison

  He put into his hands a beard-axe that Thord had had in his hand: those weapons were then the fashion. Go they thither where the boys’ play was. Grim had then caught the ball and ran away with it, but the other boys rushed after him. Then leapt Egil at Grim and drove the axe into the head of him, so that straightway it stood in his brain. Therewith Egil and Thord went away and to their own men.

  Leapt the Myresmen then to their weapons, and so on either side. Oleif Hialti ran to those men of Burg with those men that followed him: they were then much the stronger in numbers, and they parted with things in such a case. From this arose that strife betwixt Oleif and Hegg: they fought at Laxfit by Grims-water: there fell seven men, and Hegg was wounded to loss of life, and Kvig fell, a brother of his.

  Now when Egil came home, Skallagrim made as if he found little to be pleased with in this. But Bera said that Egil was of viking stuff, and said that that would be his lot, as soon as he had age thereto, that they should find him warships. Egil quoth a Stave:2

  My mother told me

  For me they should buy

  Fleet keel and fair oars

  To fare abroad with vikings:

  To stand up in the stem there,

  Steer the good ship,

  Hold her so to harbour,

  Hew a man or twain.

  When Egil was twelve winters old, he was so great of growth that few were the men so big, and so ready of strength, as that Egil might not get the better then of most men in the plays. That winter (that was for him his twelfth), he was much in the plays. Thord Granison was then upon twenty year old: he was strong of sinew.

  That was oft-times, as winter wore, that these two, Egil and Thord, were chosen to play against Skallagrim. That was on a time that winter, as it wore by, that the ball-play was at Burg, south in Sandwick: then were Thord and he against Skallagrim in the play, and he waxed weary before them and their work was lighter. But about evening, after sunset,3 then began it to go worse with Egil and his fellow: Grim became then so strong that he grabbed Thord up and drave him down so hard that he was all to-broken, and straightway gat his bane.

  Thereupon he grabbed at Egil. Thorgerd Brak was named a bondmaid of Skallagrim’s. She had fostered Egil in his childhood. She was a big woman, strong as a carle and much skilled in wizardry. Brak spake: “Run’st thou now berserk, Skallagrim, at thine own son?”

  Then Skallagrim let loose Egil, but caught at her. She doubled and ran off, but Skallagrim after her. Fared they so along the outward shore of Digraness. Then leapt she out from the cliff into the sound. Skallagrim cast after her with a great stone, and set it betwixt her shoulders, and neither it nor she came up again. There it is now called Brak’s Sound.

  But afterwards in the evening, when they came home to Burg, was Egil all wroth. And when Skallagrim was set down to table, and all the men of his house, then was Egil not come in to his seat. Then went he into the firehall and up to that man that there had then the overseeing of the work and the management of his fee with Skallagrim, and was most dear to him. Egil hewed him his bane-wound, and thereafter went to his own seat.

  But Skallagrim spake then nought of this, and that matter lay quiet thenceforth, and that father and son spake then nought together of it, whether good or ill. And so went that winter.

  Now the next summer after, came Thorolf out as was aforesaid. But when he had been one winter in Iceland, then made he ready his ship the spring after in Brak’s Sound. But when he was all ready, then was that upon a day, that Egil went to find his father and bade him fetch him means to faring abroad: “I will”, said he, “fare abroad with Thorolf”.

  Grim asked if he had spoken aught about that matter with Thorolf. Egil saith that that was not so. Grim bade him do that first. But when Egil waked that matter with Thorolf, then quoth he that this was not to be thought of, “That I should flit thee abroad with me. If thy father thinketh there is no managing thee here in his own house, then bear I no trust in this, to have thee in the outlands with me; for that will not do for thee, to show thy temper there, like as thou dost here”.

  “May be”, said Egil, “that then neither of us will go.”

  The night after, was a raging gale, a southwester. And in the night, when it was mirk darkness and the tide at the flood, then came Egil there and went out aboard the ship, outside the tilt: hewed he in sunder those ropes that were on the outer side: went he straight at his swiftest up on to the gangway, and hewed those ropes that went up aland. Then the ship drove out into the firth. But when Thorolf and his were ware that the ship was adrift, leapt they into the boat: but the weather was much too wild for them to get aught done. The ship drove over to Andakil, and there up on to the eres: but Egil fared home to Burg.

  But when men were ware of this trick that Egil had done, then most of them cursed it. He said that he would but for a short while let be ere he should do Thorolf more hurt and mischief, if he would not flit him abroad with him. But then took men a hand in it betwixt them, and so it came about in the end that Thorolf took to Egil, and he went abroad with him in the summer.

  So soon as Thorolf was come to his ship, when he had taken that axe that Skallagrim had put in his hands he cast the axe overboard into the deep, so that it came not up again.

  Thorolf fared on his journey that summer, and it sped him well on the main sea, and they came in by Hordaland. Stood Thorolf straightway north to Sogn; and there had this befallen to tell of in the winter, that Bryniolf had died of a sickness, but his sons had divided his inheritance. Thord had Aurland, that farmstead that their father had dwelt at: he had gotten himself under the hand of the King and been made a landed man. Thord’s daughter was named Rannveig, the mother of Thord and of Helgi: Thord was the father of Rannveig, the mother of Ingirid, that King Olaf4 had to wife. Helgi was the father of Bryniolf, the father of Serk of Sogn, and of Svein.

  CHAPTER XLI. OF BIORN AND THOROLF AND KING ERIC; AND OF EGIL AND ARINBIORN.

  TO Biorn was allotted another homestead good and honourable. He gat himself not under the hand of the King, wherefore was he called Biorn the Franklin.1 He was a man wealthy in gold and a man of great largesse. Thorolf fared early to see Biorn, so soon as he came from sea, and brought home Asgerd his daughter: that was a joyful meeting. Asgerd was the comeliest of women and the most skilled, a wise woman and very well learned.

  Thorolf fared to see King Eric, and when they met, Thorolf bare unto King Eric Skallagrim’s greeting and said that he had taken in thankful wise2 the King’s sending: bare forward then a good long-ship’s sail, that he said that Skallagrim had sent to the King: King Eric took it well of that gift, and bade Thorolf be with him for the winter. Thorolf thanked the King for his bidding: “I must now first fare to Thorir’s: I have with him an errand of moment”.

  And now fared Thorolf to Thorir’s, as he had said, and found there all good welcome. Thorir bade him be with him. Thorolf said he would take that gladly: “There is too that man with me that must have lodging there where I am: he is my brother, and he hath never before gone from home, and need he hath that I should look after him”.

  Thorir said it was but meet and right, though Thorolf should have yet more men with him thither: “It seemeth to us”, saith he, “that that shall be bettering of our company, to have thy brother, if he is at all like thee”.

  Therewith fared Thorolf to his ship and let lay her up and make all snug; but he fared, and Egil, to Thorir the Hersir.

  Thorir had a son that was named Arinbiorn.3 He was somewhat older than Egil. Arinbiorn was even thus early a noble-looking man and the greatest man at feats of skill. Egil made great friends with Arinbiorn, and was ever in company with him, but there was somewhat of coldness betwixt those two brethren.

  CHAPTER XLII. OF THOROLF’S WEDDING WITH ASGERD.

  THOROLF SKALLAGRIM SON brought up this talk with Thorir, what way he would take that suit if Thorir should ask to wife Asgerd his kinswoman. Thorir took that lightly: said that he would be a speeder of that suit.


  And now fared Thorolf north into Sogn and had with him a good company. Thorolf came to Biorn’s house and found there a good welcome. Biorn bade him be with him for so long as he would. Thorolf bare quickly up his errand with Biorn: began then his wooing, and asked to wife Asgerd, Biorn’s daughter. He took that suit well, and that was easy-sped with him; and that was resolved upon, so that the betrothal went forward, and a day appointed for the bridal; and that feast should be at Biorn’s then in the autumn.

  And now fared Thorolf back to Thorir and said to him that which had befallen to tell of in his journey. Thorir deemed well of it, that this rede should be taken. But when the appointed day was come when Thorolf should betake him to the feast, then bade he men to fare with him: bade first Thorir and Arinbiorn and housecarles of theirs and powerful bonders; and there was for that journey both throng of men and good men.

  But now, when it was come near to that appointed day when Thorolf should fare from home and the bridesmen were come, then fell Egil sick, so that he was not fit to go.

  Thorolf and his had a great long-ship, all manned, and fared on their journey as had been appointed.

  CHAPTER XLIII. EGIL IN ATLEY.

  THERE was a man named Oliver. He was a housecarle of Thorir’s and was overseer and manager of his household: he had the getting in of debts and was keeper of his fee. Oliver was past his youthful age, and yet a man of the briskest.

  So it befell, that Oliver had a journey from home to get in Thorir’s land-rents, those that were outstanding that spring. He had a rowing-ferry, and aboard of her were twelve housecarles of Thorir’s. Now began Egil to be brisk and rose up again. He thought things went somewhat deaf-like at home, now that all the men were gone away. He came to talk with Oliver, and said that he would fare with him. And Oliver thought his ship’s company would not be over-great for the adding of one good man, seeing there was room in the ship. Egil betook him to that journey. Egil had his weapons: sword and halberd and buckler.

  Fare they now on their journey, when they were ready, and found a hard head-wind, wild weather and unhandy; but they sought doughtily on their way, took to rowing, and shipped much sea aboard.

  So betided them of their journey that they came in the afternoon to Atley, and laid her up to land there. Now there in the isle, a short way up, was a great house that belonged to King Eric, and there ruled over it that man whose name was Bard. He was called Atley-Bard, and was a great man of affairs and a good worker; he was not a man of great kindred, but very dear to King Eric and to Queen Gunnhild.

  Oliver and his men drew up their ship above highwater-mark: went then to the farmstead and met Bard without and said to him of their journey, and that too, that they would fain be there for the night. Bard saw that they were much wet, and carried them to a certain firehall. That was away from the other houses. He let make a great fire for them and there were their clothes dried, and when they had taken their clothes again, then came Bard there.

  “Now will we”, saith he, “here set tables for you. I wot you will be ready for sleep; ye be men outwearied with storm and wet.”

  That liked Oliver well. Therewith were tables set and food given them, bread and butter, and set forth great bowls of curds.1

  Bard said, “Great pity is that, now, that there is no ale within, that I might welcome you as I would. Now needs must ye put up with such fare as is to hand”.

  Oliver and his were exceeding thirsty, and supped the curds. After that, Bard let bear in butter-milk, and they drank that.

  “Dearly would I like”, quoth Bard, “to give you better drink, if it were there.”

  Of straw there was no lack within there. He bade them lay them down there to sleep.

  CHAPTER XLIV. OF BARD’S SLAYING.

  KING ERIC and Gunnhild came that same evening into Atley, and Bard had there made ready a banquet against their coming: and there should there be a blood-offering unto the Goddesses,1 and there was a banquet of the best and great drinking within in the hall. The King asked where Bard might be, “Sith I see him nowhere”.

  A man saith, “Bard is without, and serveth his guests”.

  “Who be those guests”, saith the King, “that he reckoneth that more his duty than to be in here near us?”

  The man said to him that thither were come housecarles of Thorir the Hersir.

  The King spake: “Go after them with all speed and call them in hither”. And so it was done: said that the King will meet them. And now go they in. The King greeted Oliver well, and bade him sit over against him in the high-seat, and his fellows there out from him on either side. They did so. Egil sat next to Oliver.

  And now was borne to them ale to drink. There went many health-cups, and there must a horn be drunk to every health. But as the evening wore, then it so came about that Oliver’s fellows began many of them to be speechless: some spewed within there in the hall, but some found their way out before the door. Bard went hard to it, to bear them drink.2 Then took Egil that horn that Bard had fetched for Oliver, and drank it off. Bard said that he was mighty thirsty, and brought him forthwith the horn full and bade him drink it off. Egil took the horn and quoth a stave:3

  Said you swig was lacking,

  Shatt’rer of helm-bane ogress?

  Where ye held feast of Goddesses?—

  Master of cheats I call thee!

  All too ill thou hiddest

  From unwitting sword-saplings,

  (An ill cheat have you cheated!)

  Bard, thine heart of evil.

  Bard bade him drink, and have done with his fleering ditties. Egil drank every cup that came to him, and so too for Oliver. Then Bard went to the Queen and said to her that that man was there who brought shame upon them, and never drank so much but that he said he was still thirsty. The Queen and Bard blended then the drink with venom, and bare it then in. Bard signed the cup: brought it therewith to the cup-maid:4 she bare it to Egil and bade him drink.

  Egil drew then his knife and stuck it into the palm of his hand: he took the horn and scored runes5 thereon and did them over with the blood. He quoth:6

  Write we runes on the horn now:

  Redden the spells with life-blood:

  These be the words I’ll choose for

  Root of the fierce beast’s ear-tree.

  Drink we free of the draught borne

  By good gleesome bondmaids.

  Let us know how this will medicine us:

  Ale that Bard did sign.

  The horn sprang asunder, and the drink spilt down into the straw.

  Then it began to go ill with Oliver. Up stood Egil then, and led Oliver out to the doors, and had his sword in hand. But when they come to the doors, then came Bard after them and bade Oliver drink his parting-health. Egil took it, and drank, and quoth a stave:7

  Ale bear to me, sith ale now

  Gars Oliver turn greenish.

  Let I wild ox’s bill-drops

  Drizzle through my moustachios.

  Clean miss goes thy foretelling

  What weather’s toward, O spear-sky’s

  Rain-boder! lo, it raineth

  Rain of Gods most High!

  Egil casteth down the horn, but grabbed his sword and drew. It was dark in the fore-hall. He laid the sword through Bard’s middle, so that the point leapt out at his back: he fell down dead, and the blood leapt out from the wound. Then fell Oliver, and the spew gushed out of him. Egil leapt out then forth from the hall: then was it moonless dark without: Egil took straight to running from the house.

  But within, in the fore-hall, men saw that they were both fallen, Bard and Oliver. Then came the King thither and let bear lights: then saw men what was betided, that Oliver lay there senseless, but Bard was slain, and all the floor swam with his blood. Then asked the King where might he be, that big man, that had drunken most there that evening. Men said that he went out.

  “Search for him,” said the King, “and let him come to me.”

  Now was search made for him about the house, but noug
ht found of him. But when they came into the firehouse, there lay many men of Oliver’s: the King’s men asked if Egil perchance had come there. They say that he had leapt in there and taken his weapons, “And went out after that”.

  Then was that said unto the King. The King bade his men fare at their nimblest and take all the ships that were in the island; “But in the morning, when it is light, we shall ransack8 all the island and then slay the man”.

  CHAPTER XLV. OF EGlL’S FLIGHT.

  EGIL fared now through the night and looked about where the ships were. But wheresoever he came to the strand, everywhere there was men before him. He fared all that night and found never a ship: and when it began to be light, he was stood on a certain ness. He saw then an isle, and there was a sound there between, and marvellous broad. Then was this his rede, that he took his helm, sword, and spear, and broke that off its shaft and shot the shaft out to sea: but the weapons he wrapped in his overmantle and made him a bundle of it and bound it on his back. Then leapt he into the sound and stayed not till he came to the isle: it was named Sheppey, and is not a great isle, and grown over with bushes. There was in it cattle, neats and sheep, and that belonged to Atley. But when he came to the isle he wrung out his clothes. Then was it daylight and the sun risen.

  Eric the King let ransack the isle as soon as it was light. That went slowly, for the isle was great, and Egil was not to be found. Then they went by ship to other isles to search for him.

  That was about evening that twelve men rowed to Sheppey to search for Egil. Even so there were many isles near by. He saw the ship that fared to the isle. Now nine went up and split into search-parties. Egil had laid him down in the bushes and hidden him before the ship came to land. Now went three in each party, but three minded the ship. And when the search-parties were out of sight of the ship1 then stood up Egil and went to the ship. But they that minded the ship knew nought afore Egil was come upon them.