But if perchance Eric left the platform and came to meet
his foes in the narrow pass, then they must let themselves down with
ropes from the height above, and, creeping after him round the rock,
must smite him in the back. Moreover, in secret, Gizur promised a great
reward of ten hundreds in silver to him who should kill Eric, for he did
not long to stand face to face with him alone. Swanhild also in secret
made promise of reward to those who should bring Eric to her, bound, but
living; and she bade them do this--to bear him down with shields and tie
him with ropes.
So they rode away, the seven who should climb the mountain from behind
going first, and on the morrow morning they crossed the sand and came to
Mosfell.
XXXII
HOW ERIC AND SKALLAGRIM GREW FEY
Now the night came down upon Mosfell, and of all nights this was the
strangest. The air was quiet and heavy, yet no rain fell. It was so
silent, moreover, that, did a stone slip upon the mountain side or a
horse neigh far off on the plains, the sound of it crept up the fell and
was echoed from the crags.
Eric and Skallagrim sat together on the open space of rock that is
before the cave, and great heaviness and fear came into their hearts, so
that they had no desire to sleep.
"Methinks the night is ghost-ridden," said Eric, "and I am fey, for I
grow cold, and it seems to me that one strokes my hair."
"It is ghost-ridden, lord," answered Skallagrim.
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