The
pleadings were long and cunning on either side; but the end of it was
that Ospakar brought it about, by the help of his friends--and of
these had many--that Eric must go into outlawry for three years. But no
weregild was to be paid to Ospakar and his men for those who had been
killed, and no atonement for the great wound that Skallagrim Lambstail
gave him, or for the death of Mord, his son, inasmuch as Eric fought for
his own hand to save his life.
The party of Ospakar were ill pleased at this finding, and Eric was not
over glad, for it was little to his mind that he should sail a-warring
across the seas, while Gudruda sat at home in Iceland. Still, there was
no help for the matter.
Now Ospakar spoke with his company, and the end of it was that he called
on them to take their weapons and avenge themselves by their own
might. Asmund and Eric, seeing this, mustered their army of freemen and
thralls. There were one hundred and five of them, all stout men; but
Ospakar Blacktooth's band numbered a hundred and thirty-three, and they
stood with their backs to the Raven's Rift.
"Now I would that Skallagrim was here to guard my back," said Eric, "for
before this fight is done few will left standing to tell its tale."
"It is a sad thing," said Asmund, "that so many men must die because
some men are now dead."
"A very sad thing," said Eric, and took this counsel. He stalked alone
towards the ranks of Ospakar and called in a loud voice, saying:
"It would be grievous that so many warriors should fall in such a
matter.
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