第182章

The bondes who had their homes in Veradal went to the chiefs Harek and Thorer, and complained of their distress, saying, "The fugitives who have escaped from the battle have proceeded up over the valley of Veradal, and are destroying our habitations, and there is no safety for us to travel home so long as they are in the valley.Go after them with war-force, and let no mother's son of them escape with life; for that is what they intended for us if they had got the upper hand in the battle, and the same they would do now if they met us hereafter, and had better luck than we.It may also be that they will linger in the valley if they have nothing to be frightened for, and then they would not proceed very gently in the inhabited country." The bondes made many words about this, urging the chiefs to advance directly, and kill those who had escaped.Now when the chiefs talked over this matter among themselves, they thought there was much truth in what the bondes said.They resolved, therefore, that Thorer Hund should undertake this expedition through Veradal, with 600 men of his own troops.Then, towards evening, he set out with his men;and Thorer continued his march without halt until he came in the night to Sula, where he heard the news that Dag Hringson had come there in the evening, with many other flocks of the king's men, and had halted there until they took supper, but were afterwards gone up to the mountains.Then Thorer said he did not care to pursue them up through the mountains, and he returned down the valley again, and they did not kill many of them this time.The bondes then returned to their homes, and the following day Thorer, with his people, went to their ships.The part of the king's men who were still on their legs concealed themselves in the forests, and some got help from the people.

245.OF THE KING'S BROTHER, HARALD SIGURDSON.

Harald Sigurdson was severely wounded; but Ragnvald Brusason brought him to a bonde's the night after the battle, and the bonde took in Harald, and healed his wound in secret, and afterwards gave him his son to attend him.They went secretly over the mountains, and through the waste forests, and came out in Jamtaland.Harald Sigurdson was fifteen years old when King Olaf fell.In Jamtaland Harald found Ragnvald Brusason; and they went both east to King Jarisleif in Russia, as is related in the Saga of Harald Sigurdson.

246.OF THORMOD KOLBRUNARSKALD.

Thormod Kolbrunarskald was under King Olaf's banner in the battle; but when the king had fallen, the battle was raging so that of the king's men the one fell by the side of the other, and the most of those who stood on their legs were wounded.Thormod was also severely wounded, and retired, as all the others did, back from where there was most danger of life, and some even fled.Now when the onset began which is called Dag's storm, all of the king's men who were able to combat went there; but Thormod did not come into that combat, being unable to fight, both from his wound and from weariness, but he stood by the side of his comrade in the ranks, although he could do nothing.There he was struck by an arrow in the left side; but he broke off the shaft of the arrow, went out of the battle, and up towards the houses, where he came to a barn which was a large building.Thormod had his drawn sword in his hand; and as he went in a man met him, coming out, and said, "It is very bad there with howling and screaming; and a great shame it is that brisk young fellows cannot bear their wounds: it may be that the king's men have done bravely to-day, but they certainly bear their wounds very ill."Thormod asks."What is thy name?"He called himself Kimbe.

Thormod: "Wast thou in the battle, too?"

"I was with the bondes, which was the best side," says he.

"And art thou wounded any way?" says Thormod.

"A little," said Kimbe."And hast thou been in the battle too?"Thormod replied, "I was with them who had the best.""Art thou wounded?" says Kimbe.

"Not much to signify," replies Thormod.

As Kimbe saw that Thormod had a gold ring on his arm, he said, "Thou art certainly a king's man.Give me thy gold ring, and Iwill hide thee.The bondes will kill thee if thou fallest in their way."Thormod says, "Take the ring if thou canst get it: I have lost that which is more worth."Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring; but Thormod, swinging his sword, cut off his hand; and it is related that Kimbe behaved himself no better under his wound than those he had been blaming just before.Kimbe went off, and Thormod sat down in the barn, and listened to what people were saying.The conversation was mostly about what each had seen in the battle, and about the valour of the combatants.Some praised most King Olaf's courage, and some named others who stood nowise behind him in bravery.Then Thormod sang these verses: --"Olaf was brave beyond all doubt, --At Stiklestad was none so stout;

Spattered with blood, the king, unsparing, Cheered on his men with deed and daring.

But I have heard that some were there Who in the fight themselves would spare;Though, in the arrow-storm, the most Had perils quite enough to boast."247.THORMOD'S DEATH.

Thormod went out, and entered into a chamber apart, in which there were many wounded men, and with them a woman binding their wounds.There was fire upon the floor, at which she warmed water to wash and clean their wounds.Thormod sat himself down beside the door, and one came in, and another went out, of those who were busy about the wounded men.One of them turned to Thormod, looked at him, and said, "Why art thou so dead-pale? Art thou wounded? Why dost thou not call for the help of the wound-healers?" Thormod then sang these verses: --"I am not blooming, and the fair And slender girl loves to care For blooming youths -- few care for me;With Fenja's meal I cannot fee.