The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

by Allen French

  CHAPTER V

  THE SUMMONING OF HIARANDI

  When that man who had brought the news and made the false swearing waswell out of the country, then Ondott bestirred himself to go againstHiarandi. Said he to Einar:

  "It is time that we summon Hiarandi soon to answer to the blood-suit,for the sitting of the Althing draws nigh."

  To that Einar assented, and on the morrow Ondott bade two men armthemselves and go with them to Cragness.

  "Why need we men?" asked Einar.

  "We must have witnesses to the summoning," answered Ondott.

  "But it is not necessary to bear arms," said Einar.

  "We will prepare ourselves," replied Ondott, "as becomes thy dignityand as regards thy safety, for Hiarandi hath a quick temper." ThenEinar said no more, and they rode to Cragness. But Ondott knew wellthat at such summonings quarrels often arose; and he said privily tohis men, Hallmund and Hallvard:

  "Look that your swords be loose in their sheaths."

  They rode into the yard at Cragness and called Hiarandi from hishouse. Hiarandi came, and with him Rolf, bearing his bow, for he wasabout to go out for birds.

  "Hiarandi," said Einar, "we have come to speak of the blood-suit forthe slaying of my kinsman."

  "That thy kinsman is slain I knew," answered Hiarandi, "but I see nothow it affects me in any way, so long as my brother be living."

  "But thy brother is dead," replied Einar, and told that Kiartan wasshipwrecked in the Orkneys.

  "This is the first I have heard of it," said Hiarandi.

  Then Ondott spoke. "Knowing thy suspicious nature," said he, "Ibrought with us the men who were witnesses to the oath the messengermade. Thus canst thou know thy brother is truly dead."

  Hallvard and Hallmund said they had witnessed the oath. Hiarandianswered no word, but looked from one to the other.

  "Now," said Ondott, "these same men will be witnesses to what we sayhere together." And this he said in a manner to provoke Hiarandi, yethe still answered nothing.

  "Is it not better," asked Einar, "that this matter be settled herequietly, between neighbors, rather than be brought before the judgesat the Althing?"

  "Quietly settled is always best," answered Hiarandi. "Yet I see nothow this matter is to be settled at all, seeing I have no money tomake atonement."

  "Now," said Ondott quickly to Einar, "let me speak for thee in thisaffair." Then Einar gave the matter into the hands of Ondott.

  "All men know," began Ondott then, "that thou art poor, Hiarandi." Andhe saw Hiarandi flush with anger. Then he went on to propose that anexchange be made of Cragness for some parts of Einar's land, much lessin value. And he spoke with such words that Hiarandi would feelinsulted, and marked him grow ever redder in the face. When he hadfinished, Hiarandi burst out upon him.

  "Foolish are ye to suppose," cried Hiarandi, "that I will ever give upthis stead which my fathers have settled. Let this matter come to thecourts of law."

  Ondott spoke to Einar. "There is no reasoning with a madman. Thou mustrecite the summons."

  Then Einar, who knew the law well, spoke the summons, and named thedeed which was done on his kinsman, and made Hiarandi answerable; andcalled him to appear before the Quarter Court at the Althing, there tojustify the slaying, or pay the blood-fine, or be made an outlaw.Everything he said in due legal form, and Ondott and the two men werenamed as witnesses.

  Then he prepared to ride away, but Ondott spoke once more. "If thoucanst not keep land, Hiarandi, better than thy father, then must thoulose this place in the end."

  Hiarandi could not restrain his wrath. He spoke no word; but he strodeto Ondott, and smote with his staff. Ondott warded the blow, but thearm was broken at the wrist.

  Then Ondott cried to Hallvard and Hallmund: "Set upon him!" Those twodrew their swords, and in that moment Hiarandi stood in danger of hislife.

  But Rolf had strung his bow and set an arrow on the string. He drewthe shaft to its head, and aimed at Einar, and cried: "Now Einar diesif my father is hurt!"

  "'Now Einar dies if my father is hurt'"]

  They drew away hastily, and dared do no more, for they knew the aim ofthe lad. Nothing more was done in violence; yet before he rode awaydid Ondott summon Hiarandi for that hurt to him. And there the matterrested, with two suits against Hiarandi. Then all was quiet until thetime came for folk to ride to the Althing.