“I looked for no less from thee,” said Swanhild, “and be sure of this, that thou shalt not plead for nothing,” and she glanced at him meaningly.  Then she set out her case with a lying tongue, and afterwards went back to her booth, glad at heart.  For now she learned that Hall had not failed in his errand, seeing that Gudruda was about to wed Ospakar.

Gizur gave warning of the blood-suit, and the end of it was that, though he had no notice and was not there to answer to the charge, against all right and custom Eric was declared outlaw and his lands were given, half to Swanhild and half to the men of his quarter.  For now all held that Swanhild’s was a true tale, and Eric the most shameful of men, and therefore they were willing to stretch the law against him.  Also, being absent, he had few friends, and those men of small account; whereas Ospakar, who backed Swanhild’s suit, was the most powerful of the northern chiefs, as Gizur was the most skilled lawman in Iceland.  Moreover, Bjoern the Priest, Asmund’s son, was among the judges, and, though Swanhild’s tale seemed strange to him after that which he had heard from Hall of Lithdale, he loved Eric little.  He feared also that if Eric came a free man to Iceland before Gudruda was wed to Ospakar, her love would conquer her anger, for he could see well that she still loved Brighteyes.  Therefore he strove with might and main that Eric should be brought in guilty, nor did he fail in this.

So the end of it was that Eric Brighteyes was outlawed, his lands declared forfeit, and his head a wolf’s head, to be taken by him who might, should he set foot in Iceland.

Thereafter, the Althing being ended, Bjoern, Gizur, and Ospakar, with all their company, rode away to Middalhof to sit at the marriage-feast.  But Swanhild and her folk went by sea in the long war-ship to Westmans.  For this was her plan:  to seize on Coldback and to sit there for a while, till she saw if Eric came out to Iceland.  Also she desired to see the wedding of Ospakar and Gudruda, for she had been bidden to it by Bjoern, her half-brother.

Now Ospakar came to Middalhof, and found Gudruda waiting his coming.

She stood in the great hall, pale and cold as April snow, and greeted him courteously.  But when he would have kissed her, she shrank from him, for now he was more hideous in her sight than he had ever been, and she loathed him in her heart.

That night there was feasting in the hall, and at the feast Gudruda heard that Eric had been made outlaw.  Then she spoke: 

“This is an ill deed, thus to judge an absent man.”

“Say, Gudruda,” said Bjoern in her ear, “hast thou not also judged Eric who is absent?”