Northvegr - Viga-Glum's Saga

... In Iron Age Britain two brothers struggle for supremacy. The Archdruid prophesies kingship for one, banishment for the other. But it is the exiled brother who will lead the Celts across the Alps into deadly collision with Rome...

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Viga-Glum's Saga

CHAPTER XXVIII

IT happened one summer that the brothers Gudmund and Einar were riding back from the Thing, when Glum invited some guests to his house, and he sent men up to Öxnadal-heath and asked those brothers also, professing that he wished to be reconciled to them wholly and entirely. “For,” said he, “on account of old age I am fit for nothing, and I will not invite them only to a meal.” Glum was then blind, but he caused a look-out to be kept for their coming. Gudmund wished to accept the invitation, but Einar did not; and each of them rode on his own side of the river, till Glum was told that one of the two troops was coming that way. “Then,” said he, “Einar will not accept the invitation; he is so distrustful that he will put confidence in no man.” It is reported that Einar called out to Gudmund and said, “If you go thither this evening, I will be sure to be there tomorrow;” but Gudmund reflected on those words and said, “Well, you must mean that you will have to take measures for avenging my death;” and so he turned round and followed Einar. It was told to Glum that neither of the two was coming. “Then it is a bad business,” exclaimed he, “for if I had gone to meet them, I had made up my mind not to miss both of them.” He had a drawn sword under his cloak. So this was the last thing which passed between Glum and the men of Eyjafirth.
When Christianity was introduced in these parts Glum was baptized, and lived three winters afterwards. He was confirmed in his last illness by Bishop Kol, and died in white vestments. Márr, Glum’s son, lived at Forn-Hagi, and caused a church to be built there, in which Glum and Márr himself, when he died, were buried. Many other people also were buried there, because for a long time there was but that one church in Hörgárdal. People relate that for twenty years Glum was the greatest chief on Eyjafirth; and for another twenty years there were no greater men there, though some were on an equal footing with him. They say too that of all the valiant men that have been in this land he had the noblest spirit. And so ends the Story of Glum.

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