.--What council shall we take, Kolbein? Broddi is advancing
rapidly.

_Kolbein_.--You, Asbjorn, will cross the mountains with a dozen men and
advise my wife Helga to draw all guards from the west as fast as is at
all possible. You yourself will continue your journey south over the
Kjol to Hjalti, the son of the bishop to come north at once with all the
men he can summon, to prevent difficulties here.

_Asbjorn_.--Indeed, a strenuous journey, now at the height of winter!

_Kolbein_.--Maintain the length of your days' journeys as if I were
along myself, and be back at Flugumyr by the next Sunday. (ASBJORN
_departs_.) But you, Haf, will take half of the company remaining, and
take position in the fortifications close by. The horses you will let
into the fort. The other half you will let take position on the outside
of the gates of the fort, so that we may leave it at our will. We shall
hold the fortification until help comes to us, if need be. Let all undo
the peace-straps[A] from their swords!

[Footnote A: Straps wound round the sheath and fastened to a ring in the
hilt.]

_Haf_.--I shall arrange all as you command. (_Departs_.)

_Kolbein_ (_to the_ BISHOP, _who is about to leave_).--Bide an instant,
bishop! Remain here at my side! If it appears that Broddi's men show any
hostilities towards me, I shall behead you here before the high altar.

_Botolf_ (_to himself_).--Broddi's men! Are they so wise, I wonder?
(_Aloud_.) You will permit me to speak with Kolbein Kaldajos, in order
that he may adjust our difficulties.

_Kolbein_.--Are you thinking perhaps that he should come here with his
men to take care of us?

_Botolf_.--Far from it. (_About to leave_.)

_Kolbein_ (_grasping the_ BISHOP _by the wrist_).--You will not go
hence alive, sir bishop; if you stir the church will have another saint
(_points to Bishop Gudmund's tomb_).

_Botolf_.--It would be a fair death for the servant of God. But unlikely
it is that you will accomplish this deed of violence, because God's
angels follow me wherever I go.

_Kolbein_.--I, too, have attendant wraiths; my victory at Orlygsstad,
my pursuits of Thord Kakali, my raid to Reykholar, and my journey over
Tvidaegra Heath with thirty men.

_Botolf_.--Angels with black wings all, Kolbein!

_Kolbein_.--Whatever the hue of their wings, yet they cause me to come
out of every fray unscathed and more powerful than other men.

_Botolf_.--God has hardened your heart, Kolbein!

_