Helgi (leaning wearily on his axe).—The weather has been very bad—
Brand.—I know that! I know that!
Helgi.—I found the men on guard in the West. When I came to the first of them, the messengers of Lady Helga were there. Both they and the guards raised a great outcry against me, and I owe it to my horse and the storm that I escaped with my life. At the second and the third post it went the same way.
Brand.—And no one wanted to follow me?
Helgi.—They all said that you always suffered the most disgraceful reverses, while victory was perched on the helmet of Kolbein.
Brand.—I did not have the hardness and the ruthlessness of my kinsman Kolbein to kill men.
Jorun.—And it is better not to be ruthless.
Helgi.—I went to the peasants in the West, but got the worst reception. Often I did not even get food. I was allowed to stay overnight only in the outhouses. At Bolstadahlid the hut burned down in which I slept. I do not know whether the farmer intended to burn me in it, but three armed men were standing outside when I made my escape from the fire. They did nothing to put out the fire, but neither did they attack me. Maybe that they were not minded to seek a night's shelter under my axe. After that I was not allowed to come into the house. I stood under the house wall during the remainder of the night, with my axe on my shoulder, and looking into the fire. Now I have come here!
Brand.—Our cause is altogether lost. Yeoman Thorvard tries to murder my messenger! (Murmurs to himself.) Thorolf said, 'He shall shun churches and Christian people, the houses of God and the houses of men, and every home but hell.'
Jorun.—You will have to fight against terrible odds.