The men asked whither Hall meant to go.
“Thither to Holt,” he said.
They said they were sure he went on a good errand.
He stayed there some while and baited their horses, and after
that they mounted their horses and rode to Solheim about even,
and they were there that night, but the day after they rode to
Holt.
Thorgeir was out of doors, and Kari too, and their men, for they
had seen Hall’s coming. He rode in a blue cape, and had a little
axe studded with silver in his hand; but when they came into the
“town,” Thorgeir went to meet him, and helped him off his horse,
and both he and Kari kissed him and led him in between them into
the sittingroom, and sate him down in the high seat on the dais,
and they asked him tidings about many things.
He was there that night. Next morning Hall raised the question
of the atonement with Thorgeir, and told him what terms they
offered him; and he spoke about them with many fair and kindly
words.
“It may be well known to thee,” answers Thorgeir, “that I said I
would take no atonement from the burners.”
“That was quite another matter then,” says Hall; “ye were then
wroth with fight, and, besides, ye have done great deeds in the
way of manslaying since.”
“I daresay ye think so,” says Thorgeir, “but what atonement do ye
offer to Kari?”
“A fitting atonement shall be offered him,” says Hall, “if he
will take it.”
Then Kari said, “I pray this of thee, Thorgeir, that thou wilt be
atoned, for thy lot cannot be better than good.”
“Methinks,” says Thorgeir, “it is ill done to take in atonement,
and sunder myself from thee, unless thou takest the same
atonement as I”
“I will not take any atonement,” says Kari, “but yet I say that
we have avenged the burning; but my son, I say, is still
unavenged, and I mean to take that on myself alone, and see what
I can get done.”
But Thorgeir would take no atonement before Kari said that he
would take it ill if he were not atoned. Then Thorgeir
handselled a truce to Flosi and his men, as a step to a meeting
for atonement; but Hall did the same on behalf of Flosi and the
sons of Sigfus.
But ere they parted, Thorgeir gave Hall a gold ring and a scarlet
cloak, but Kari gave him a silver brooch, and there were hung to
it four crosses of gold. Hall thanked them kindly for their
gifts, and rode away with the greatest honour. He did not draw
bridle till he came to Swinefell, and Flosi gave him a hearty
welcome. Hall told Flosi all about his errand and the talk he
had with Thorgeir, and also that Thorgeir would not take the
atonement till Kari told him he would quarrel with him if he did
not take it; but that Kari would take no atonement.
