The story of Burnt Njal eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 520 pages of information about The story of Burnt Njal.

The story of Burnt Njal eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 520 pages of information about The story of Burnt Njal.

They sought for the bones of Grim, and found them in the midst of the hall.  They found, too, there, right over-against him under the side wall, Thord Freedmanson; but in the weaving-room they found Saevuna the carline, and three men more.  In all they found there the bones of nine souls.  Now they carried the bodies to the church, and then Hjallti rode home and Kari with him.  A swelling came on Ingialld’s leg, and then he fared to Hjallti, and was healed there, but still he limped ever afterwards.

Kari rode to Tongue to Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son.  By that time Thorhalla was come home, and she had already told the tidings.  Asgrim took Kari by both hands, and bade him be there all that year.  Kari said so it should be.

Asgrim asked besides all the folk who had been in the house at Bergthorsknoll to stay with him.  Kari said that was well offered, and said he would take it on their behalf.

Then all the folk were flitted thither.

Thorhall Asgrim’s son was so startled when he was told that his foster-father Njal was dead, and that he had been burnt in his house, that he swelled all over, and a stream of blood burst out of both his ears, and could not be staunched, and he fell into a swoon, and then it was staunched.

After that he stood up, and said he had behaved like a coward, “but I would that I might be able to avenge this which has befallen me on some of those who burnt him”.

But when others said that no one would think this a shame to him, he said he could not stop the mouths of the people from talking about it.

Asgrim asked Kari what trust and help he thought he might look for from those east of the rivers.  Kari said that Mord Valgard’s son, and Hjallti, Skeggi’s son, would yield him all the help they could, and so, too, would Thorgeir Craggeir, and all those brothers.

Asgrim said that was great strength.

“What strength shall we have from thee?” says Kari.

“All that I can give,” says Asgrim, “and I will lay down my life on it.”

“So do,” says Kari.

“I have also,” says Asgrim, “brought Gizur the white into the suit, and have asked his advice how we shall set about it.”

“What advice did he give?” asks Kari.

“He counselled,” answers Asgrim, “’that we should hold us quite still till spring, but then ride east and set the suit on foot against Flosi for the manslaughter of Helgi, and summon the neighbours from their homes, and give due notice at the Thing of the suits for the burning, and summon the same neighbours there too on the inquest before the court.  I asked Gizur who should plead the suit for manslaughter, but he said that Mord should plead it whether he liked it or not, and now,’ he went on, ’it shall fall most heavily on him that up to this time all the suits he has undertaken have had the worst ending.  Kari shall also be wroth whenever he meets Mord, and so, if he be made to fear on one side, and has to look to me on the other, then he will undertake the duty.’”

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The story of Burnt Njal from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.