"I say that I ask Athalbrand's blood to wash away that stain, not his gold, and that if need be I will seek it alone and die upon his spears.

Also I say that if Olaf, my brother, turns his back upon this vengeance, I name him niddering." "No man shall name me that," I said, flushing, "and least of all Ragnar." So, amidst shouts, for there had been long peace in the land, and all the fighting men sighed for battle, it was agreed that war should be declared on Athalbrand, those present pledging themselves and their dependents to follow it to the end.
"Go back to the troth-breaker, Athalbrand," said my father to the messengers.

"Tell him that we will not accept his fine of gold, who come to take all his wealth, and with it his land and his life.

Tell him also that the young lord Olaf refuses his daughter, Iduna, since it has not been the fashion of our House to wed with drabs.

Tell Steinar, the woman-thief, that he would do well to slay himself, or to be sure that he is killed in battle, since if we take him living he shall be cast into a pit of vipers or sacrificed to Odin, the god of honour.