eover, no good would come in return for it. Hrut said that
Thorliek must do what pleased him, and so they parted in no loving
kindness. Hrut was eighty years old when he killed Eldgrim, and he was
considered by that deed to have added much to his fame. Thorliek
thought that Hrut was none the worthier of any good from him for being
more renowned for this deed, for he held it was perfectly clear he
would have himself have got the better of Eldgrim if they had had a
trial of arms between them, seeing how little was needed to trip
Eldgrim up. [Sidenote: Kotkell's enchantments] Thorliek now went to
see his tenants Kotkell and Grima, and bade them do something to the
shame of Hrut. They took this up gladly, and said they were quite
ready to do so. Thorliek now went home. A little later they, Kotkell
and Grima and their sons, started on a journey from home, and that was
by night. They went to Hrut's dwelling, and made great incantations
there, and when the spell-working began, those within were at a loss
to make out what could be the reason of it; but sweet indeed was that
singing they heard. Hrut alone knew what these goings-on meant, and
bade no man look out that night, "and let every one who may keep
awake, and no harm will come to us if that counsel is followed." But
all the people fell asleep. Hrut watched longest, and at last he too
slept. Kari was the name of a son of Hrut, and he was then twelve
winters old. He was the most promising of all Hrut's sons, and Hrut
loved him much. Kari hardly slept at all, for to him the play was
made; he did not sleep very soundly, and at last he got up and looked
out, and walked in the direction of the enchantment, and fell down
dead at once. Hrut awoke in the morning, as also did his household,
and missed his son, who was found dead a short way from the door. This
Hrut felt as the greatest bereavement, and had a cairn raised over
Kari. Then he rode to Olaf Hoskuldson and told him the tidings of what
had happened there. Olaf was madly wroth at this, and said it showed
great lack of forethought that they had allowed such scoundrels as
Kotkell and his family to live so near to him, and said that Thorliek
had shaped for himself an evil lot by dealing as he had done with
Hrut, but added that more must have been done than Thorliek had ever
could have wished. [Sidenote: Death of Kotkell and Grima] Olaf said
too that forthwith Kotkell and his wife and sons must be slain, "late
though it is now.