Part 246 - Of Thormod Kolbrunarskald

Thormod Kolbrunarskald was under King Olaf's banner in the battle; but when the king had fallen, the battle was raging so that of the king's men the one fell by the side of the other, and the most of those who stood on their legs were wounded. Thormod was also severely wounded, and retired, as all the others did, back from where there was most danger of life, and some even fled.

Now when the onset began which is called Dag's storm, all of the king's men who were able to combat went there; but Thormod did not come into that combat, being unable to fight, both from his wound and from weariness, but he stood by the side of his comrade in the ranks, although he could do nothing. There he was struck by an arrow in the left side; but he broke off the shaft of the arrow, went out of the battle, and up towards the houses, where he came to a barn which was a large building.

Thormod had his drawn sword in his hand; and as he went in a man met him, coming out, and said,

"It is very bad there with howling and screaming; and a great shame it is that brisk young fellows cannot bear their wounds: it may be that the king's men have done bravely to-day, but they certainly bear their wounds very ill."

Thormod asks.

"What is thy name?"

He called himself Kimbe.

Thormod:

"Wast thou in the battle, too?"

"I was with the bondes, which was the best side,"

says he.

"And art thou wounded any way?"

says Thormod.

"A little,"

said Kimbe.

"And hast thou been in the battle too?"

Thormod replied,

"I was with them who had the best."

"Art thou wounded?"

says Kimbe.

"Not much to signify,"

replies Thormod.

As Kimbe saw that Thormod had a gold ring on his arm, he said,

"Thou art certainly a king's man.
Give me thy gold ring, and I will hide thee.
The bondes will kill thee if thou fallest in their way."

Thormod says,

"Take the ring if thou canst get it: I have lost that which is more worth."

Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring; but Thormod, swinging his sword, cut off his hand; and it is related that Kimbe behaved himself no better under his wound than those he had been blaming just before.

Kimbe went off, and Thormod sat down in the barn, and listened to what people were saying. The conversation was mostly about what each had seen in the battle, and about the valour of the combatants. Some praised most King Olaf's courage, and some named others who stood nowise behind him in bravery.

Then Thormod sang these verses: —

"Olaf was brave beyond all doubt, —
At Stiklestad was none so stout;
Spattered with blood, the king, unsparing,
Cheered on his men with deed and daring.
But I have heard that some were there
Who in the fight themselves would spare;
Though, in the arrow-storm, the most
Had perils quite enough to boast."