But before the tables were removed the earl said that they should cast lots to drink together in pairs,
man and woman, so far as numbers would allow, but the odd ones by themselves. They cast then their
lots into the skirt of a cloak, and the earl drew them out. The earl had a very beautiful daughter then in
the flower of youth; the lot decreed that Egil should sit by her for the evening. She was going about
the floor of the hall amusing herself. Egil stood up and went to the place in which the earl’s daughter
had sat during the day. But when all took their several seats, then the earl’s daughter went to her place.
She said in verse:

’Why sittest in my seat, youth?

Thou seldom sure hast given

To wolf his warm flesh-banquet.

Alone I will mine own.

O’er carrion course thou heard’st not

Croak hoarse the joying raven,

Nor wentest where sword-edges

In warfare madly met.’

Egil took her, and set her down by him. He sang:

’With bloody brand on-striding

Me bird of bane hath followed:

My hurtling spear hath sounded

In the swift Vikings’ charge.

Raged wrathfully our battle,

Ran fire o’er foemen’s rooftrees;

Sound sleepeth many a warrior

Slain in the city gate.’

They two then drank together for the evening, and were right merry. The banquet was of the best, on
that day and on the morrow. Then the rovers went to their ships, they and the earl parting in friendship
with exchange of gifts.

Thorolf with his force then stood for the Brenn-islands. At that time these were a great lair of
freebooters, because through the islands sailed many merchant-ships. Aki went home to his farms, and
his sons with him. He was a very wealthy man, owning several farms in Jutland. He and Thorolf
parted with affection, and pledged them to close friendship. But as autumn came on, Thorolf and his
men sailed northward along the Norway coast till they reached the Firths, then went to lord Thorir.

He received them well, but Arinbjorn his son much better, who asked Egil to be there for the winter.
Egil took this offer with thanks. But when Thorir knew of Arinbjorn’s offer, he called it rather a hasty
speech. ’I know not,’ said he, ’how king Eric may like that; for after the slaying of Bard he said that he
would not have Egil be here in the land.’