When I entered, bearing a lamp, Steinar sat up blinking his eyes, for the light, feeble as it was, hurt them, and I saw that his face was white and drawn, and the hand he held to shade his eyes was wasted.

I looked at him and my heart swelled with pity, so that I could not speak.
"Why have you come here, Olaf ?" asked Steinar when he knew me.

"Is it to take my life?
If so, never were you more welcome." "No, Steinar, it is to bid you farewell, since to-morrow at the feast you die, and I am helpless to save you.

In all things else men will obey me, but not in this." "And would you save me if you could ?" "Aye, Steinar.

Why not?
Surely you must suffer enough with so much blood and evil on your hands." "Yes, I suffer enough, Olaf.