Now they spoke no more about it.
After that the sons of Sigfus busked them and those men with them
who were meant to go with them. They were eight in all, and then
they rode away, and ere they went they kissed Flosi, and he bade
them farewell, and said he and some of those who rode away would
not see each other more. But they would not let themselves be
hindered. They rode now on their way, and Flosi said that they
should take his wares in Middleland, and carry them east, and do
the same in Landsbreach and Woodcombe.
After that they rode to Skaptartongue, and so on the fell, and
north of Eyjafell Jokul, and down into Godaland, and so down into
the woods in Thorsmark.
Bjorn of the Mark caught sight of them coming, and went at once
to meet them.
Then they greeted each other well, and the sons of Sigfus asked
after Kari Solmund’s son.
“I met Kari,” said Bjorn, “and that is now very long since; he
rode hence north on Goose-sand, and meant to go to Gudmund the
Powerful, and methought if he were here now, he would stand in
awe of you, for he seemed to be left all alone.”
Grani Gunnar’s son said, “He shall stand more in awe of us yet
before we have done with him, and he shall learn that as soon as
ever he comes within spearthrow of us; but as for us, we do not
fear him at all, now that he is all alone.”
Kettle of the Mark bade them be still, and bring out no big
words.
Bjorn asked when they would be coming back.
“We shall stay near a week in Fleetlithe,” said they, and so they
told him when they should be riding back on the fell.
With that they parted.
Now the sons of Sigfus rode to their homes, and their households
were glad to see them. They were there near a week.
Now Bjorn comes home and sees Kari, and told him all about the
doings of the sons of Sigfus, and their purpose.
Kari said he had shown in this great faithfulness to him, and
Bjorn said, “I should have thought there was more risk of any
other man’s failing in that than of me if I had pledged my help
or care to any one.”
“Ah,” said his mistress, “but you may still be bad and yet not be
so bad as to be a traitor to thy master.”
Kari stayed there six nights after that.
149. OF KARI AND BJORN
Now Kari talks to Bjorn and says, “We shall ride east across the
fell and down into Skaptartongue, and fare stealthily over
Flosi’s country, for I have it in my mind to get myself carried
abroad east in Alftafirth.”
“This is a very riskful journey,” said Bjorn, “and few would have
the heart to take it save thou and I.”
“If thou backest Kari ill,” said his housewife, “know this, that
thou shalt never come afterwards into my bed, and my kinsmen
