ushed, Ospakar struck again and swept away half of
Brighteyen's pointed shield so that it fell upon the floor. Eric smote
also, but Ospakar dropped his knee to earth and the sword hissed over
him. Blacktooth cut at Eric's legs; but Brighteyes sprang from the
ground and took no harm.

Now some cried, "_Eric! Eric!_" and some cried "_Ospakar! Ospakar!_" for
no one knew how the fight would go.

Gudruda sat watching in the high seat, and as blows fell her colour came
and went.

Swanhild drew near, watching also, and she desired in her fierce heart
to see Eric brought to shame and death, for, should he win, then Gudruda
would be rid of Ospakar. Now by her side stood Gizur, Ospakar's son,
and near to her was Bjoern. These two held their breath, for, if Eric
conquered, all their plans were brought to nothing.

Even as he sprang into the air, Eric smote down with all his strength.
The blow fell on Ospakar's shield. It shore through the shield and
struck on the shoulder beneath. But Blacktooth's byrnie was good, nor
did the sword bite into it. Still the stroke was so heavy that Ospakar
staggered back four paces beneath it, then fell upon the ground.

Now folk raised a shout of "_Eric! Eric!_" for it seemed that Ospakar
was sped. Brighteyes, too, cried aloud, then rushed forward. Now, as he
came, Swanhild whispered an eager word into the ear of Bjoern. By Bjoern's
foot lay that half of Eric's shield which had been shorn away by the
sword of Ospakar. Gudruda, watching, saw Bjoern push it with his shoe so
that it slid before the feet of Brighteyes. His right foot caught on it,
he stumbled heavily--stumbled again, then fell prone on his face,
and, as he fell, stretched out his sword hand to save himself, so that
Whitefire flew from his grasp. The blade struck its hilt against the
ground, then circled in the air and fixed itself, point downwards, in
the clay of the flooring. The hand of Ospakar rising from the ground
smote against the hilt of Whitefire. He saw it, with a shout he cast his
own sword away and clasped Whitefire.

Away circled the sword of Ospakar; and of that cast this strange thing
is told, false or true. Far in the corner of the hall lurked Thorunna,
she who had betrayed Skallagrim when he was named Ounound. She had come
with a heavy heart to Middalhof in the company of Ospakar; but when she
saw Skallagrim, her husband--whom she had betrayed, and who had turned
Baresark because of her wickedness--shame smote her