_Sigurd_.--That is, all the North Quarter and the Westfirths!
_Brand_.--About the Westfirths we have been at war until now.
_Einar_.--And his heir? (_All look at_ BRAND.) They say that it is the wish of Lady Helga to set Thorolf Bjarnason over all the dominions.
_Broddi_.--It would mean the death of one man or many men.
_Brand_.--Helgi Skaftason, have the saddles laid upon twelve horses! I and eleven men shall ride forthwith to Flugumyr. (_Exit_ HELGI.)
_Kalf_.--Lay saddle on my horse also. I shall ride to Flugumyr to my foster-mother.
_Broddi_.--What will you of her, my young fellow?
_Kalf_.--I want to get the weapons she has promised to give me.
_Jorun_.--No weapons, Kalf! You will not go to Flugumyr, this time; rather too long you have been there as a child. (_Towards_ BRAND KOLBEINSSON.) My husband, remember my words. To kill one of my kinsman Kolbein's or Lady Helga's men is to conjure up odds against you, whatever be the provocation. (_Exit with the boys_.)
_Broddi_.--Never shall that come to pass that a man of low birth govern so large a dominion. (_Exeunt all_.)
(_Room at Flugumyr_. LADY HELGA _and the woman physician_ SALVOR _enter_.)
_Helga_.--I have much to do about the house and can attend the patient but little. How is my husband, Salvor?
_Salvor_.--Rather poorly! He is now confessing to Bishop Botolf, Lady Helga.
_Helga_.--Confessing? Did he speak about the disposition of his dominions after his death?
_Salvor_.--The bishop touched upon that, but Kolbein said that this would have to wait until his kinsmen were assembled.
_Helga_.--To what purpose is the advice of his kinsmen in that matter? I see how it will end.
_Salvor_.--I have hopes that your husband will again recover his health this time.
_Helga_.--And how long will he keep it then?
_Helga_.--My husband will have to go to war and do battle as long as he lives.
_Helga_.--Then is he surely sick! (_Vehemently_.) My husband must not be sick; he will have to speak with his kinsmen, when they come. Give him strong drugs that he may have strength to do so. His sickness must not become known in the Westfirths by Thord Kakali.
_Salvor_.--Such strong drugs are not without danger.
_Salvor_.--That he loses possession of his senses, and becomes even more sick thereafter.