and the Kalevide
the other three.

After the Kalevide's return from his journey, he resided at Lindanisa,
occupying himself with schemes for the good of his people. Olev had
built three more cities, in the north, west, and south of the country.
His friends advised the Kalevide to seek a bride in Kungla, and he
replied that they would first build a beautiful fortified city and rear
a magnificent house, and then he would follow their advice.

One day the Kalevide sat at a feast with his friends, and a harper sang
the adventures of Siuru, the blue bird,[96] the daughter of Taara.

The Kalevide invited his friends to drink, and sang a song relating how
he had gone down to the beach where two trees, the apple of fortune and
the oak of wisdom, grew in the sea. Here he found some girls who told
him that his little brother had fallen into the water. He waded into the
water to look for him, and saw a naked sword at the bottom, which he was
just about to grasp, when his sister called from the shore to tell him
that his father, mother, brothers, and sisters were all dead or dying.
He hurried home, but it proved to be a hoax, for they were all alive and
well.

The son of Sulev next sang a ditty relating an adventure with four coy
maidens, and the drinking and mirth continued.

And now messengers arrived in great haste, announcing that hostile
armies of Letts, Vends, and Poles had invaded the kingdom on all sides.
But the Kalevide bade his comrades empty their cups, while he himself
quietly gave general orders, and declared that to-morrow he would take
the field in person. Then he sang a song about two lovers.

While the Kalevide was thus drinking and singing, Varrak the Laplander
entered and embraced his knees. He called down blessings from Ukko on
the hero, and then requested to receive the reward which had been
promised him, as he intended to set sail for home on the morrow. The
Kalevide asked him what he wished for; and he answered that he had found
a chained book in an iron cover, which he wished to possess.

The Kalevide could not read the book, which nevertheless contained all
the priceless wisdom which his father had recorded; and he willingly
gave it to Varrak, notwithstanding the loud protests of the sons of
Sulev and Olev. The book was fastened with three chains and three locks,
and the keys could not be found. Varrak knew very well where they were,
but he kept his knowledge to himself. So the Kalevide ordered the