Njal was to utter the award, and to name as his fellows those whom he chose.
A little while after those namesakes met Mord Valgard's son, and Mord blamed them much for having laid the matter in Njal's hands, when he was Gunnar's great friend. He said that would turn out ill for them.
Now men ride to the Althing after their wont, and now both sides are at the Thing.
Njal begged for a hearing, and asked all the best men who were come thither, what right at law they thought Gunnar had against those namesakes for their treason. They said they thought such a man had great right on his side.
Njal went on to ask, whether he had a right of action against all of them, or whether the leaders had to answer for them all in the suit?
They say that most of the blame would fall on the leaders, but a great deal still on them all.
"Many will say this," said Mord, "that it was not without a cause when Gunnar broke the settlement made with those namesakes."
"That is no breach of settlement," says Njal, "that any man should take the law against another; for with law shall our land be built up and settled, and with lawlessness wasted and spoiled."
Then Njal tells them that Gunnar had offered land for
Moeidsknoll, or other goods.
Then those namesakes thought they had been beguiled by Mord, and scolded him much, and said that this fine was all his doing.