Guttormsson's death be atoned for.

_Jorun_.--Do not undertake so dangerous an enterprise, my husband. Well
you know that if you slay Thorolf his friend Kolbein will slay you all
in revenge.

_Alf_.--Kolbein lies nigh unto death.

_Broddi_.--Is his condition so dangerous?

_Brand_.--Why, have you not told news so important and so--sad until
now?

_Alf_.--I could not, on account of Thorolf. Kolbein holds his malady
secret as long as he can.

_Brand_.--Then my kinsman Kolbein must have summoned us to dispose of
his dominions before he dies.

_Sigurd_.--That is, all the North Quarter and the Westfirths!

_Brand_.--About the Westfirths we have been at war until now.

_Einar_.--And his heir? (_All look at_ BRAND.) They say that it is the
wish of Lady Helga to set Thorolf Bjarnason over all the dominions.

_Many_.--Thorolf Bjarnason?

_Alf_.--Impossible!

_Broddi_.--It would mean the death of one man or many men.

_Brand_.--Helgi Skaftason, have the saddles laid upon twelve horses! I
and eleven men shall ride forthwith to Flugumyr. (_Exit_ HELGI.)

_Kalf_.--Lay saddle on my horse also. I shall ride to Flugumyr to my
foster-mother.

_Broddi_.--What will you of her, my young fellow?

_Kalf_.--I want to get the weapons she has promised to give me.

_Jorun_.--No weapons, Kalf! You will not go to Flugumyr, this time;
rather too long you have been there as a child. (_Towards_ BRAND
KOLBEINSSON.) My husband, remember my words. To kill one of my kinsman
Kolbein's or Lady Helga's men is to conjure up odds against you,
whatever be the provocation. (_Exit with the boys_.)

_Broddi_.--Never shall that come to pass that a man of low birth govern
so large a dominion. (_Exeunt all_.)

SCENE II

(_Room at Flugumyr_. LADY HELGA _and the woman physician_ SALVOR
_enter_.)

_Helga_.--I have much to do about the house and can attend the patient
but little. How is my husband, Salvor?

_Salvor_.--Rather poorly! He is now confessing to Bishop Botolf, Lady
Helga.

_Helga_.--Confessing? Did he speak about the disposition of his
dominions after his death?

_Salvor_.--The bishop touched upon that, but Kolbein said that this
would have to wait until his kinsmen were assembled.

_Helga_.--To what purpose is the advice of his kinsmen in that matter? I
see how it will end.

_Salvor_.--I have hopes that your husband will again recover his health
this time.

_Helga_.--And how long will he keep it then?

_Salvor_.--So l