She turned her head and spoke no more of Eric; but Bjoern’s words fixed themselves in her heart like arrows.  The tale was strange to her, for it seemed that Eric had been made outlaw at Swanhild’s suit, and yet Eric was Swanhild’s love:  for Swanhild’s self had sent the lock of Brighteyes’ hair by Hall, saying that he was her love and soon would wed her.  How, then, did Swanhild bring a suit against him who should be her husband?  Moreover, she heard that Swanhild sailed down to Coldback, and was bidden to the marriage-feast, that should be on the third day from now.  Could it be, then, when all was said and done, that Eric was less faithless than she deemed?  Gudruda’s heart stood still and the blood rushed to her brow when she thought on it.  Also, even if it were so, it was now too late.  And surely it was not so, for had not Eric been made outlaw?  Men were not made outlaw for a little thing.  Nay, she would meet her fate, and ask no more of Eric and his doings.

On the morrow, as Gudruda sat in her chamber, it was told her that Saevuna, Thorgrimur’s widow and Eric’s mother, had come from Coldback to speak with her.  For, after the death of Asmund and of Unna, Saevuna had moved back to Coldback on the Marsh.

“Nay, how can this be?” said Gudruda astonished, for she knew well that Saevuna was now both blind and bed-ridden.

“She has been borne here in a chair,” said the woman who told her, “and that is a strange sight to see.”

At first Gudruda was minded to say her nay; but her heart softened, and she bade them bring Saevuna in.  Presently she came, being set in a chair upon the shoulders of four men.  She was white to see, for sickness had aged her much, and she stared about her with sightless eyes.  But she was still tall and straight, and her face was stern to look on.  To Gudruda it seemed like that of Eric when he was angered.

“Am I nigh to Gudruda the Fair, Asmund’s daughter?” asked Saevuna.  “Methinks I hear her breathe.”

“I am here, mother,” said Gudruda.  “What is thy will with me?”

“Set down, carles, and begone!” quoth Saevuna; “that which I have to say I would say alone.  When I summon you, come.”

The carles set down the chair upon the floor and went.

“Gudruda,” said the dame, “I am risen from my deathbed, and I have caused myself to be borne on my last journey here across the meads, that I may speak with thee and warn thee.  I hear that thou hast put away my son, Eric Brighteyes, to whom thou art sworn in marriage, and art about to give thyself to Ospakar Blacktooth.  I hear also that thou hast done this deed because a certain man, Hall of Lithdale—­whom from his youth up I have known for a liar and a knave, and whom thou thyself didst mistrust in years gone by—­has come hither to Iceland from Orkneys, bearing a tale of Eric’s dealings with thy half-sister Swanhild.  This I hear, further:  that Swanhild, Atli’s widow, hath come out to Iceland and laid a suit against Eric for the slaying of Atli the Earl, her husband, and that Eric has been outlawed and his lands at Coldback are forfeit.  Tell me now, Gudruda, Asmund’s daughter, if these tales be true?”