“I charged Hall with no message, and I sent no lock of hair,” Swanhild answered.
“Stand thou forward, Hall!” said Eric, “and liar and coward though thou art, dare not to speak other than the truth! Nay, look not at the door: for, if thou stirrest, this spear shall find thee before thou hast gone a pace!”
Now Hall stood forward, trembling with fear, for he saw the eye of Skallagrim watching him close, and while Lambstail watched, his fingers toyed with the handle of his axe.
“It is true, lord, that Swanhild charged me with that message which I gave to the Lady Gudruda. Also she bade me give the lock of hair.”
“And for this service thou didst take money, Hall?”
“Ay, lord, she gave me money for my faring.”
“And all the while thou knewest the tidings false?”
Hall made no reply.
“Answer!” thundered Eric—“answer the truth, knave, or by every God that passes the hundred gates I will not spare thee twice!”
“It is so, lord,” said Hall.