Kolbein.—Never did I flee, but at that occasion I was forced to avoid trouble. (Advances on the floor and mounts with one foot on the dais on which HELGA is seated.) Here I place my foot on the beam and make a vow that I shall never flee before Broddi Thorleifsson. (Returns to his seat.)
Asbjorn.—And here I place my foot on the beam and make a vow that if battle there will be I shall exchange blows with Broddi Thorleifsson until one of us fall dead.
Helga.—Well spoken, Asbjorn!
Haf (comes from the door).—Brand Kolbeinsson is approaching with an armed band.
Kolbein.—Is my kinsman beside himself?
Helga.—To arms! To arms!
Kolbein (laughs).—Why, it seems as if the people of Oddi want to enter the fray!
Helga.—You have forgotten, my husband, that my father threw down the glove single-handed to all the burghers of Bergentown, because of the drowning of my brother Paul.
(The men are standing with drawn swords along both sides of the hall, leaving a lane in the middle. BRAND, BRODDI, ALF, and the other slayers of THOROLF pass up it. LADY JORUN in a man's apparel and DEACON SIGURD follow them. Last of all HELGI SKAFTASON.)
Helga.—There we see each other again, Helgi Skaftason! (Points down with the thumb of her right hand. HELGI is killed and dragged out without the other slayers of THOROLF becoming aware of it. EINAR THE RICH enters again with the men of KOLBEIN, who dragged out HELGI. He joins the band of BRAND. The axe of HELGI remains lying on the spot where he fell.)