So I said: "I thank you, Jarl.

I will fight willingly for my faith." "Fight for what you like," said Ingvar, "but make haste over it." Then Hubba and Guthrum placed me at one side of the square, and Rorik at the opposite.

And I faced the image of Thor, so that under the very eyes of the idol I hated I must prove my faith.
Then came a longing into my mind to lift my axe in Thor's face and defy him, but I put it away, for how should an idol know of threat or defiance?
Surely that would be to own some power of his.
When we were ready, Hubba and Guthrum, each with drawn swords, stood on either side of the spear-marked square, and signed to Ingvar to give the word.

At once he did so.
Then I strode forward five paces and waited, but Rorik edged round me, trying to gain some vantage of light, and I watched him closely.
And all the host stood silent, holding breath, and the altar smoke rose up over our heads, and the ravens croaked in the trees, and over all stared the great statue of Thor, seeing naught.
Then like a wolf Rorik sprang at me, smiting at my left shoulder where no shield was to guard me.

And that was Rorik's last stroke, for even as I had parried Thormod's stroke in sport, the man's wrist lit on the keen edge of my axe, so that hand and weapon flew far beyond me with the force of his stroke.