eim when he heard of the
Slaying of Bjorn. With him was a brother of Bjorn named Hjarrandi, as
one of his bodyguard. On hearing of Bjorn's death he became very angry
and begged the jarl for his support in the matter, which the jarl
promised that he should have. He sent messengers to Thorfinn to summon
both him and Grettir to appear before him. Immediately on receiving the
jarl's commands they both made ready and came to Thrandheim. The jarl
held a council on the matter and ordered Hjarrandi to be present.
Hjarrandi said he was not going to weigh his brother against his purse,
and that he must either follow him or avenge him.

When the case was looked into, it became evident that Bjorn had given
Grettir many provocations. Thorfinn offered to pay a fine such as the
jarl thought suitable to the position of his kinsman, and dwelt at
length upon Grettir's achievement in killing the berserks, and how he
had delivered the men in the North from them.

The jarl answered: "Truth do you speak, Thorfinn! that was indeed a
cleansing! It would befit us well to accept the compensation for your
sake. Grettir, too, is a fine fellow, and noted for his strength and
valour."

Hjarrandi, however, would accept no compensation, and the meeting came
to an end. Thorfinn appointed one of his kinsmen, Arnbjorn, to accompany
Grettir every day, for he knew that Hjarrandi was plotting against his
life.

CHAPTER XXIII. GRETTIR KILLS HJARRANDI

One day Grettir and Arnbjorn were walking along the road for their
diversion when they passed a gate, whence a man rushed out holding an
axe aloft with both hands and struck at Grettir, who was not on his
guard and was moving slowly. Arnbjorn, however, saw the man coming,
seized Grettir and pushed him aside with such force that he fell on his
knee. The axe struck him in the shoulder-blade and cut down to below
the arm, inflicting a severe wound. Grettir turned quickly and drew his
sword; he saw that it was Hjarrandi who had attacked him. The axe had
stuck fast in the road, and Hjarrandi was slow in recovering it. Grettir
struck at him and cut off his arm at the shoulder. Then there came
running up five of Hjarrandi's followers and a battle began with them.
They were soon routed; Grettir and Arnbjorn killed the five who were
with Hjarrandi; one man escaped and bore the tale to the jarl forthwith.
The jarl was very angry indeed, and summoned the assembly for the next
day. Thorfinn and his party appe