that
it was Erik. He also shouted a question whether he was the same man who
by his marvellous speaking could silence the eloquence of all other men.
Erik, when he heard this, replied that he had long since received the
surname of the "Shrewd-spoken", and that he had not won the auspicious
title for nothing. Then both went back to the nearest shore, where
Gotar, when he learnt the mission of Erik, said that he wished for the
sister of Frode, but would rather offer his own daughter to Frode's
envoy, that Erik might not repent the passing of his own wife to another
man. Thus it would not be unfitting for the fruit of the mission to fall
to the ambassador.

Erik, he said, was delightful to him as a son-in-law, if only he could
win alliance with Frode through Gunwar.

Erik lauded the kindness of the king and approved his judgment,
declaring he could not have expected a greater thing from the immortal
gods than what was now offered him unasked. Still, he said, the king
must first discover Gunwar's own mind and choice. She accepted the
flatteries of the king with feigned goodwill, and seemed to consent
readily to his suit, but besought him to suffer Erik's nuptials to
precede hers; because, if Erik's were accomplished first, there would be
a better opportunity for the king's; but chiefly on this account,
that, if she were to marry again, she might not be disgusted at her new
marriage troth by the memory of the old recurring. She also declared
it inexpedient for two sets of preparations to be confounded in one
ceremony. The king was prevailed upon by her answers, and highly
approved her requests.

Gotar's constant talks with Erik furnished him with a store of most
fairshapen maxims, wherewith to rejoice and refresh his mind. So, not
satisfied with giving him his daughter in marriage he also made over to
him the district of Lither, thinking that their connection deserved some
kindness. Now Kraka, whom Erik, because of her cunning in witchcraft,
had brought with him on his travels, feigned weakness of the eyes, and
muffled up her face in her cloak, so that not a single particle of her
head was visible for recognition. When people asked her who she was,
she said that she was Gunwar's sister, child of the same mother but a
different father.

Now when they came to the dwelling of Gotar, the wedding-feast of
Alfhild (this was his daughter's name) was being held. Erik and the king
sat at meat in different rooms, with a party-wal