But
one old carline, who had been nurse to Eric, was left there, and she sat
wailing in an outhouse, being too weak to move.
Then the men set down the corpse of Saevuna in the outhouse, and, having
told all their tale to the carline, they fled also.
That night passed, and passed the morrow; but on the next day at dawn
Eric Brighteyes and Skallagrim Lambstail landed near Westman Isles. They
had made a bad passage from Fareys, having been beat about by contrary
winds; but at length they came safe and well to land.
Now this was the day of the marriage-feast of Gudruda the Fair and
Ospakar; but Eric knew nothing of these tidings.
"Where to now, lord?" said Skallagrim.
"To Coldback first, to see my mother, if she yet lives, and to learn
tidings of Gudruda. Then as it may chance."
Near to the beach was a yeoman's house. Thither they went to hire
horses; but none were in the house, for all had gone to Gudruda's
marriage-feast. In the home meadow ran two good horses, and in the
outhouses were saddles and bridles. They caught the horses, saddled them
and rode for Coldback. When they had ridden for something over an hour
they came to the crest of a height whence they could see Coldback in the
Marsh.
Eric drew rein and looked, and his heart swelled within him at the sight
of the place where he was born. But as he looked he saw a great train of
people ride away from Coldback towards Middalhof--and in the company a
woman wearing a purple cloak.
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