Kolgrímur's Tale, Part 5

After the defeat of the Red Men, there was a time of rest. Kolgrímur Ráðersson, Goði of the Mjolkvatn people, mortally wounded in the battle, left the Hrimtindur and returned home. Eiriek Karvelsson, blood-brother of Hafni Friðsson, father of Mardis, praised the Álvarhamrmaðr and went with him. His settlement with Rúrik Þengumrsson would wait until the Alþing.

Bard of the Álvarhamrmaðr took possession of the fallen Grímþór Algeirsson's wolf-cape and was dismayed to find evidence of magic among the Ulfhednar's property. He did not share this with his friends, having no wish to shame his dead comrade.

Ægur's father Olmur blessed the rebuilt hall at Sulturforstófa and there were muted celebrations, tempered by their recent losses.

When a fortnight had passed and the men of Hrimtindur began to make preparations for the Al þing, a great war-party arrived from the lowlands. It was led by t he surviving Helvegrmaðr, who had come to kill the Iotun at last. The Helvegrmaðr were angry about the death og their kinsman Grímþór Algeirsson by Eyfrið, and insisted on just compensation for his family. They were four: Konólfur Bjarnmarsson, the war leader, Jövald Álfgursson, the Alvar-hunter, Ara Raffreðsdottir, Helvegrmaðr healer, who had recovered from wounds she received at the hands of Bloðtókumaðr the Iotun, and Gunnhildur Sæhildursdottir, Helvegrmaðr Skaldmey.

They brought with them Aðala Sigridsdottir, sister of Bard, who aspired to join their ranks and was a skjaldmey of some reknown. Bryndis Oddvarsdottir, sister to the slain Skula, also came, and mourned her skjaldmey kin. Korsteinn Open-Hand and Smiðni Kolusson joined them, too, having recently made good matches in Hveitifoss with Bard's sisters M ira and Hilfinna Sigridsdottir. These matches were duly celebrated.

The Helvegrmaðr also brought a seiðmaðr named Vorðus Flókisson, whom they had enslaved, and his two children. They intended to force the magician to grant them power over the giant, and had chopped off his rune-carving hands to prevent any mischief. His children were to be killed if he did not behave sensibly. He was very apprehensive and the Helvegrmaðr treated him cruelly.

Ingol Grettirson was the first to voice his scorn at the behavior of the Helvegrmaðr, and his disdain was shared by many of his friends in the Álvarhamrmaðr. Bryndis Oddvarsdottir was outspoken in her intemperate criticism. They felt it cowardly and craven to threaten children, and they felt it blasphemous to use magic to fight magic.

“Think what you will,” said Konólfur Bjarnmarsson, “but remember that you are mere whelps in this world of Álvar, and we are hunt-hardened wolves. You would do well to speak less and listen more.”

In preparation for the battle wit the Iotun, the Helvegrmaðr carved themselves Hlutur, witching poles, which are bones with runes carved on them that render Alvar artifice useless as long as they are held. Hlutur last until the next sunset and are complicated to prepare, and again the Álvarhamrmaðr scorned them for this.

“Very well,” said Jövald Álfgursson, “since you refuse what aid we can give, and you insist on throwing your lives away against magic you cannot possibly withstand, we will give you the honor of leading the way. This way, when your minds are turned against you, we will not be stabbed in the back.”

To this the Álvarhamrmaðr readily agreed, and they left at once for the ice hall of Bloðtókumaðr.

The giant was not in his hall, but lay in wait in the snow, concealed nearby. While the Álvarhamrmaðr explored his ancient, glacier-bound hall, the Iotun revealed himself and attacked the Helvegrmaðr. He slew Jövald Álfgursson and ran away toward Askafjall mountain with the Helvegrmaðr and their companions and thræll Varðus in pursuit.

When the Álvarhamrmaðr rushed to follow, they were hindered by a blinding snowstorm caused by an evil Illviðriskraka, a weather-bird, that cursed them with foul winds and snow. In time they made their way to the base of Askafjall, where the Helvegrmaðr lay in wait for the Iotun, who had retreated into an ancient temple hewn from the stone beneath the peak.

It was concealed by powerful magic, but the Helvegrmaðr could easily penetrate the artifice with their Hlutur. The Álvarhamrmaðr were not so fortunate, and were guided by their erstwhile allies, for whom they had developed a loathing, into the doorway to hunt the giant.

Æggur noted that, worked into the carving above the stone doorway, was the symbol of Faðir Bal, Father Fire, ancient God of slaughter and destruction, proving that the temple of Askafjell was once a place of men.

Inside they were welcomed by the Iotun, whose proper name was Ir Bloðtókumaðr, and who owed them a courtesy. They asked to be treated as guests and equals, and the Iotun readily complied, granting him the run of the ancient temple.

“The Helvegrmaðr will enter soon enough, giant, and slay you ignomiously,” Bard said, “allow us to fight you and slay you with honor instead.”

The Iotun was reluctant, but could not refuse the challenge. He fought each Álvarhamrmaðr individually, allowing each to yield rather than be destroyed. He was an excellent warrior and held many blows in deference to their honorable intent. His life was ended by a cowardly spear-thrust that came suddenly, from behind, by the hand of the Helvegrmaðr Konólfur Bjarnmarsson. He sawed off the Álvar's head and returned at once to the Hrimtindur. Bard's sister Aðala remained behind to tend her brother's wouonds.

“It is a sad day in Ferðuhvalurland,” said Bryndis, “When an Álvar has more honor than our own champions.”

All agreed, but no more was said of this.