Brand.—­Peace we should desire for every consideration, since many regions are beginning to grow poor.

Sigurd.—­The wars have fanned into flame hatred and malice over all the land.

Botolf.—­Blessed are the peacemakers!

Kolbein.—­During these last days the deep wound I received in the battle of Orlygsstad has been troubling me sorely, and I am so exhausted that I often look forward to death.  Now you well know that Thord Kakali has lost through me both father and five brothers.  That stands in the way of peace in the district.  I therefore offer to go abroad and give up all my dominions.

Helga.—­Give up all dominions!

Botolf.—­And yield them to King Hakon?

Kolbein.—­If King Hakon should lay claim to my lands I should give him six feet of land, or so much less as he lacks in height.  To give Iceland to him is as bad as yielding up one’s soul to the devil.

Brand.—­But who is to receive the lands?

Kolbein.—­I shall give all my dominions to Thord Kakali, and thus atone for the killing of his father and brothers.  Your own cases would then be at his mercy.  I expect that you will fare well in this, because just then did Thord prove to be my best friend when I entrusted my matters entirely to him; at that time you were also on friendly terms, you and the men from Skagafirth.

Botolf.—­That would be a disposition promising peace, if the king himself is not to receive the dominion. (Aside.) It is the same as if King Hakon did receive it.

Brand.—­You will deprive me of my rightful inheritance, and give up all your dominions to Thord!  Then will I rather fight for them until I fall.

Broddi.—­Thord may think he has so much to settle with us that we could not endure the punishments he would inflict upon us—­that is, if we had any desire to do so.

Einar.—­If all dominions were given up to Thord he would treat us well.

Botolf.—­And then there would be peace on earth and good-will among men.

Thorolf.—­In Thord’s Hall all we, your men, would have to sit upon the lower bench.  His men whom we have pursued, wounded, stripped of their clothes, and beaten whenever we engaged them, they would take revenge on us, under cover of him.  All of us desire but one of two things, to do battle until we gain peace, or else, to fall with such renown as is granted us.

Asbjorn.—­We will follow no other man whilst you live.

The followers of Kolbein.—­No, no other man!

Kolbein.—­Then your other choice is that all yeomen at their own expense guard in four parties the frontier during the remainder of winter.  The first will have to be on the Skagafirth, to guard the road over the Kjol and the ways leading from Storasand.  The second guard will have to be in Vididale, Vatnsdale, and Nupsdale to watch the paths over the Grimstungu-heath, and the one over Tvidaegra-heath.  The third and fourth guards will have to be in Midfirth and Hrutafirth, and to protect the ways along the Holtavordu-heath, and those from the Dales and Strands.  When the sea is safe two light-sailing vessels will have to be sent around the Skaw to reconnoitre the sea-way toward the west.