“It is too late now to talk of that,” said Eric. “Hall is a well-skilled man, and, for the rest, fear not: I will watch him.”
“Then evil will come of it,” said Gudruda.
Skallagrim also liked Hall little, nor did Hall love Skallagrim and his great axe.
At length all were gathered; they were fifty in number and it is said that no such band of men ever took ship from Iceland.
Now the great dragon was bound and her faring goods were aboard of her, for Eric must sail on the morrow, if the wind should be fair. All day long he stalked to and fro among his men; he would trust nothing to others, and there was no sword or shield in his company but he himself had proved it. All day long he stalked, and at his back went Skallagrim Lambstail, axe on shoulder, for he would never leave Eric if he had his will, and they were a mighty pair.
At length all was ready and men sat down to the faring-feast in the hall at Middalhof, and that was a great feast. Eric’s folk were gathered on the side-benches, and by the high seat at Asmund’s side sat Brighteyes, and near to him were Björn, Asmund’s son, Gudruda, Unna, Asmund’s betrothed, and Saevuna, Eric’s mother. For this had been settled between Asmund and Eric, that his mother Saevuna, who was now somewhat sunk in age, should flit from Coldback and come with Unna to dwell at Middalhof. But Eric set a trusty grieve to dwell at Coldback and mind the farm.
When the faring-toasts had been drunk, Eric spoke to Asmund and said: “I fear one thing, lord, and it is that when I am gone Ospakar will trouble thee. Now, I pray you all to beware of Blacktooth, for, though the hound is whipped, he can still bite, and it seems that he has not yet put Gudruda from his mind.”
Now Björn had sat silently, thinking much and drinking more, for he loved Eric less than ever on this day when he saw how all men did him honour and mourned his going, and his father not the least of them.
“Methinks it is thou, Eric,” he said, “whom Ospakar hates, and thee on whom he would work his vengeance, and that for no light cause.”
“When bad fortune sits in thy neighbour’s house, she knocks upon thy door, Björn. Gudruda, thy sister, is my betrothed, and thou art a party to this feud,” said Eric. “Therefore it becomes thee better to hold her honour and thy own against this Northlander, than to gird at me for that in which I have no blame.”