At that Thialfi dragged himself forward. Half
dead with fear, he confessed what he had done, saying not a word of Loki's tempting.
Egil, as much disturbed as his guest, protested his desire to make amends.
"Payment is due," said he. "It is for you to state the price."
The sight of the frightened youth had somewhat calmed Thor's anger. This graceful, slender body was no fit object for Miolnir's weight. Slowly his vast muscles relaxed.
"It is the law," said he. "Let him pay who committed the fault: he and his sister shall be my bond-servants from this day forth."
This punishment seemed mild enough to Thialfi; for he was secretly drawn to this open-faced mighty one whose blue eyes harbored no meanness, and who was clearly good-natured despite his sudden bursts of fierceness. Moreover, the prospect of roaming abroad with him was far from displeasing. As for the beautiful Roska—she had nothing to say about it. Anyhow, where Thialfi went was the place she would choose to be.
So peace was restored, and all sat down to the morning meal content, save crafty Loki.
Leaving the goats with Egil, Thor and his companions set forth on foot. The chill mists and unfathomed depths of the Elivagar sea had no terrors for him; but when they had passed over its expanse, they came to a strange and gloomy country surrounding the stronghold of the giants.
Endlessly the forest stretched away; and all day