"Who is this?" said one--and he was Jarl Eirik.
"No one worth having," said Streone, and reined round his horse to go on as if caring nought.
They went on up the hill. I suppose that they were going there that Edric Streone might say who the slain were. As for us we went our way, and Thrand cursed the earl with every step.
We had hardly got away from the hill when men came after us in haste, and before I knew that it was myself whom they sought, they had pushed Thrand aside and bound my hands.
"What is this?" Thrand asked angrily.
And I said:
"Bind me not. I go to yield myself."
"Earl Edric's orders," said the men. "We are to keep you here till he comes."
At that I knew that I had fallen into his hands, and that my life was not worth much. I could see that Thrand knew this also.
"That is all very well," I said; "but I am Egil Thorarinsson's captive."