Asbjorn.—­There is prospect of tidings; Broddi Thorleifsson comes riding down the valley with two hundred armed men.

Kolbein (wrathfully, to the BISHOP).—­What seeks my cousin Broddi at Holar with two hundred men?

Botolf.—­The peace of the land seems insecure to him and he is coming hither for defending himself in the fort.

Kolbein.—­You encourage men to rebellion against me, you devil in a bishop’s guise!  Is that the peace the king and the archbishop intend to bring to the land?

Botolf.—­What means this wrath in God’s church?

Haf.—­What council shall we take, Kolbein?  Broddi is advancing rapidly.

Kolbein.—­You, Asbjorn, will cross the mountains with a dozen men and advise my wife Helga to draw all guards from the west as fast as is at all possible.  You yourself will continue your journey south over the Kjol to Hjalti, the son of the bishop to come north at once with all the men he can summon, to prevent difficulties here.

Asbjorn.—­Indeed, a strenuous journey, now at the height of winter!

Kolbein.—­Maintain the length of your days’ journeys as if I were along myself, and be back at Flugumyr by the next Sunday. (ASBJORN departs.) But you, Haf, will take half of the company remaining, and take position in the fortifications close by.  The horses you will let into the fort.  The other half you will let take position on the outside of the gates of the fort, so that we may leave it at our will.  We shall hold the fortification until help comes to us, if need be.  Let all undo the peace-straps[A] from their swords!

[Footnote A:  Straps wound round the sheath and fastened to a ring in the hilt.]

Haf.—­I shall arrange all as you command. (Departs.)

Kolbein (to the BISHOP, who is about to leave).—­Bide an instant, bishop!  Remain here at my side!  If it appears that Broddi’s men show any hostilities towards me, I shall behead you here before the high altar.

Botolf (to himself).—­Broddi’s men!  Are they so wise, I wonder? (Aloud.) You will permit me to speak with Kolbein Kaldajos, in order that he may adjust our difficulties.

Kolbein.—­Are you thinking perhaps that he should come here with his men to take care of us?

Botolf.—­Far from it. (About to leave.)

Kolbein (grasping the BISHOP by the wrist).—­You will not go hence alive, sir bishop; if you stir the church will have another saint (points to Bishop Gudmund’s tomb).

Botolf.—­It would be a fair death for the servant of God.  But unlikely it is that you will accomplish this deed of violence, because God’s angels follow me wherever I go.

Kolbein.—­I, too, have attendant wraiths; my victory at Orlygsstad, my pursuits of Thord Kakali, my raid to Reykholar, and my journey over Tvidaegra Heath with thirty men.