brother; they were sons of Kettle, the son of Thidrandi the Wise,
the son of Kettle Rumble, son of Thorir Thidrandi. The mother of
Thorkel the Allwise and Thorwalld was Yngvillda, daughter of
Thorkel the Wise. Flosi got a hearty welcome there, he told
those brothers plainly of his errand, and asked for their help;
but they put him off until he gave three marks of silver to each
of them for their aid; then they agreed to stand by Flosi.
Their mother Yngvillda was by when they gave their words to ride
to the Althing, and wept. Thorkel asked why she wept; and she
answered, “I dreamt that thy brother Thorwalld was clad in a red
kirtle, and methought it was so tight as though it were sewn on
him; methought too that he wore red hose on his legs and feet,
and bad shoethongs were twisted round them; methought it ill to
see when I knew he was so uncomfortable, but I could do naught
for him.”
They laughed and told her she had lost her wits, and said her
babble should not stand in the way of their ride to the Thing.
Flosi thanked them kindly, and fared thence to Weaponfirth and
came to Hof. There dwelt Bjarni Broddhelgi’s son (1). Bjarni
took Flosi by both hands, and Flosi bade Bjarni money for his
help.
“Never,” said Bjarni, “have I sold my manhood or help for bribes,
but now that thou art in need of help, I will do thee a good turn
for friendship’s sake, and ride to the Thing with thee, and stand
by thee as I would by my brother.”
“Then thou hast thrown a great load of debt on my hands,” said
Flosi, “but still I looked for as much from thee.”
Thence Flosi and his men fared to Crosswick. Thorkell Geitis’
son was a great friend of his. Flosi told him his errand, and
Thorkel said it was but his duty to stand by him in every way in
his power, and not to part from his quarrel. Thorkel gave Flosi
good gifts at parting.
Thence they fared north to Weaponfirth and up into the Fleetdale
country, and turned in as guests at Holmstein’s, the son of Bersi
the Wise. Flosi told him that all had backed him in his need and
business well, save Saurli Broddhelgi’s son. Holmstein said the
reason of that was that he was not a man of strife. Holmstein
gave Flosi good gifts.
Flosi fared up Fleetdale, and thence south on the fell across
Oxenlaya and down Swinehorndale, and so out by Alftafirth to the
west, and did not stop till he came to Thvattwater to his father-in-law Hall’s house. There he stayed half a month, and his men
with him and rested him.
Flosi asked Hall what counsel he would now give him, and what he
should do next, and whether he should change his plans.
“My counsel,” said Hall, “is this, that thou goest home to thy
house, and the sons of Sigfus with thee, but that they send men
to set their homesteads in order. But first of all fare home,
and when ye ride to the Thing, ride all together, and do not
scatter your band. Then let the sons of Sigfus go to see their
