The Tale of Æggur, part 2

For many long seasons Æggur, son of Ölmar, whose surname was Árráðson, lived in misery and shame as a thræll to the mad Jarl of Drammland. Each day the descendant of Árráð would arise and look for the sails of his kinsman Arnor on the horizon, and each night he would pray to the Gods for understanding.

At last, while prying stones from the frozen earth of his Jarl's miserable shieling, Æggur was at last touched by a vision. The land was torn asunder, and the oceans clashed before a raging storm. He was witnessing the end of the First Age of man, when the Ferðu were enslaved by the Álvar. Æggur watched as the True Gods rose and fought them. He watched as Giptu-Móðir birthed the Seiðrslatur, enchanting the sails of the warship of Or-Æfi to drive all but the final thread of magic from the world. Æggur saw how the Alvar were driven into hiding and the bondage of man was broken.

Finally, Æggur heard a voice.

“Bondage is not your destiny,” it said, “Look not for your kinsman of old, but to his kin, to break your chains. The ancient Álvar fyrir returns to this world- the Alvarhamrmaðr must find the final thread.” Although the words held little meaning for him then, the young priest had at last found his way.

That spring, as the southerners readied for war against their north Myrkyrlandi enemies, a fierce band of Ferðu came to the isle of Dramm. This friðavigr was led by the Bjorn Stone-Skull, who was from the Mjolkvatn and was a cousin of Arnor Jatvarsson.

In the Jarl's hall Æggur called to him, and Stone-Skull was much surprised. “A Ferðu as thræll? Who suffers such an outrage?” Æggur gave his name and surname, and Stone-Skull shook his head in disbelief. “All in Ingolfur's hall say that you are dead. So it was sworn to us by my cousin. And yet, Arnor's ways are doubtful, and he earns new enemies every day.”

Stone-Skull, who already had earned much honor in the eyes of the Myrkyrlandi Huscarls, bargained with Jarl Hallebrg for Æggur's release. Known widely among Ferðu for his generous spirit, Stone-Skull readily paid the bond price of 6 marks, and further provided Æggur with arms and shield once more.

Æggur promised to follow him, and honored him for this.