There was as then with Palnatoki in Jomsburg these lords, to wit: Bui the Thick of Borgundholm and Sigurd Cape, his brother; and Biorn the Brisk; and those three sons of Strut-Harald that was in that time a famous Earl in Skaney, Sigvaldi namely and Heming and Thorkell the High; and these three were brothers-in-law to Bui and Sigurd, since Sigurd had to wife Tofa the daughter of Strut-Harald. Besides these there were in Jomsburg many lords and men of mark, and all in their prime age and with power and means to hand with their will; blood-suppers, every one ready to leap, like a hand-wolf, into his natural wildness: and yet (which indeed made the main strength and anchor of their state) every one ready to leave, in all things of matter, the whole regiment of that burg and host with Palnatoki.
For every man of them, were he of great estate or were he least among their fellowship, must swear a strong oath to hold by the lay of the Jomsburgers. And therein were these things covenanted:
First, that there should no man be received in that fellowship older than fifty nor any younger than eighteen winters. Nor yet any that would run from another of like strength and like-weaponed with himself. And thirdly, that every man of them should be sworn to avenge another’s slaying, as though he were his own brother. Fourthly, that none should kindle slander among men there. Fifth, though they should take to a man which had slain father or brother of one that was already there before him, or a kinsman of his, if that came to light after their taking to him, then should the whole award and settlement of this lie with Palnatoki. Also, whatsoever of tidings might thither come, none should be so hardy as tell aught thereof, seeing that it was for Palnatoki alone to tell all tidings. And he that should be found in default touching aught of these things aforesaid, the same should be driven away and turned out of their law. None might have a woman in the burg. Nor none might be abroad longer than three nights but by leave of Palnatoki. Whatsoever they might get with harrying they must bear it to the pole, were it much or little, so it were money’s worth; and if it were shown of any man that he did not so, then must that man be put away and out of their law, were it much or little. No man might speak or utter there any craven word, howsoever hopeless a turn their affair might take. There could not anything befall within the burg of such a kind as that they themselves must shape and settle it, but Palnatoki alone must there rule all things according to his will. Nor might ties of kinship nor of friendship sway the matter if men should wish to come thither who were not in their law; no, not though at the bidding of men already there they should come thither, it no whit availed them if they were not fit.
So they sat in the burg in good peace, and kept well their laws. They fared abroad every summer a-harrying in this land and in that and gat them good fee and good renown. And they were held for the greatest champions and men of war, and scarcely was any man thought their match in that time.
Now was summer-day long past of that summer following the things in Sweden we have told of, and they of Jomsburg were home from the sea to discharge their havings and fit their ships anew, and so fare forth again one more voyage afore winter. Palnatoki, walking betimes on the seawall facing the brow of dawn, beheld ships bear down out of the main northeastward under oar and sail: sixty, steering for Jomsburg. There was a land-breeze blowing, light and fitful, and the sea was smooth under Jomsburg walls, with shags fishing and diving and a whirl of white sea-mews screaming and gaffling in the air above them. The ships drew near, till they were come within earshot. And by then were the most of the Jomsburgers stood on the seawall with Palnatoki.
The greatest of those ships drew in nearest under the wall. She was swart-black and fair with gold, and her sail was striped red and blue and green. Her prow was a drake’s head scaled with black iron and scarlet-tongued and with eyes and crest of shining gold, and the shields that hung along her gunwale from bow to stern were painted with many colours and studded with bronze and iron that blinked in the growing light of morning.
There stood on her poop a man in a blue kirtle and a ring-byrny of iron, and helmed with an iron helm burnished and inlaid with gold; and his helm was winged with the wings of a buzzard erect and shadowing above either ear. So when his ship was come over against that place whereas those lords of Jomsburg were stood together on the wall, that man uttered command and the oarsmen backed and held her. And he hailed them on the wall.
Palnatoki gave back his
