outlaw, not to be fed, not to be forwarded, not to be helped or
harboured in any need. I say that all his goods are forfeited.
half to me, and half to the men of the Quarter, who have a right
by law to take his forfeited goods; I give notice of this suit in
the Quarter Court, into which it ought by law to come. I give
notice in the hearing of all men on the Hill of Laws. I give
notice of this suit to be pleaded this summer, and of full
outlawry against Glum Hilldir’s son.”
Kari Solmund’s son declared his suits against Kol Thorstein’s
son, and Gunnar Lambi’s son, and Grani Gunnar’s son, and it was
the common talk of men that he spoke wondrous well.
Thorleif Crow declared his suit against all the sons of Sigfus,
but Thorgrim the Big, his brother, against Modolf Kettle’s son,
and Lambi Sigurd’s son, and Hroar Hamond’s son, brother of
Leidolf the Strong.
Asgrim Ellidagrim’s son declared his suit against Leidolf and
Thorstein Geirleif’s son, Arni Kol’s son, and Grim the Red.
And they all spoke well.
After that other men gave notice of their suits, and it was far
on in the day that it went on so.
Then men fared home to their booths.
Eyjolf Bolverk’s son went to his booth with Flosi, they passed
east around the booth and Flosi said to Eyjolf.
“See’st thou any defence in these suits.”
“None,” says Eyjolf.
“What counsel is now to be taken?” says Flosi.
“I will give thee a piece of advice,” said Eyjolf. “Now thou
shalt hand over thy priesthood to thy brother Thorgeir, but
declare that thou hast joined the Thing of Askel the Priest the
son of Thorkettle, north away in Reykiardale; but if they do not
know this, then may be that this will harm them, for they will be
sure to plead their suit in the Eastfirthers’ court, but they
ought to plead it in the Northlanders’ court, and they will
overlook that, and it is a Fifth Court matter against them if
they plead their suit in another court than that in which they
ought, and then we will take that suit up, but not until we have
no other choice left.”
“May be,” said Flosi, “that we shall get the worth of the ring.”
“I don’t know that,” says Eyjolf; “but I will stand by thee at
law, so that men shall say that there never was a better defence.
Now, we must send for Askel, but Thorgeir shall come to thee at
once, and a man with him.”
A little while after Thorgeir came, and then he took on him
Flosi’s leadership and priesthood.
By that time Askel was come thither too, and then Flosi declared
that he had joined his Thing, and this was with no man’s
knowledge save theirs.
Now all is quite till the day when the courts were to go out to
try suits.
141. NOW MEN GO TO THE COURTS
