THE SCENE: After sneaking up on King Didrik in the middle of the night, the rogue knight Eckia subjects him to a “challenge” that eventually degenerates into a drawn-out juvenile boast about all the great stuff Eckia owns.
THE TEXT: Sir Eckia said: “My helmet is all gilded. My armour is also laid with gold. There have never been more hold and precious stones on a shield than there are on mine. I have no horse, and you are rising. So you may flee if you want. It would, though, be braver to challenge a man. Unfortunately, I left my horse at home. If it was here then you would fight with me whether you wanted to or not.”
Still Sir Eckia said: “Challenge me, Didrik. You are a good man. I have here a sword that I can tell you much about. The same dwarf Alfrik made it, who made your sword, Nagelring. He was making it for a long time under the ground before it was finished. He searched in 9 king’s realms and couldn’t find the water that he wanted to harden the sword in there, both the hilt and the pommel.
The hilt is beaten with red gold, and the sheath is all overlaid with red gold. The sword’s belt and belt-buckle are of gold. The blade shines well, and in many places it is marked with gold. When you set the tip down on the ground is like seeing a snake of red gold running up the blade. When you raise the tip up, the snake runs from the hilt to the tip. It is so sharp that nothing it touches stays in one piece. The sword is called Eckiasax. It is said that no sword to match it was ever brought out of the fire, though you may search over all the world.
The sword was stolen and hidden for a long time. The great thief Alfrik dwarf did that. He stole it from his own father and gave it to a king who was called Rosleff. He had it for a long time. After the young Rosleff got it, he struck many men down with it, and many kings’ sons. If you get this sword from me without injury then may God grant that you use it well, I would rather die than spare it when I was in need.”
Sir Didrik answered “How can I fight with you when I cannot see you? I know no more about you than what I have heard you say. I have both lost my way and also lost those who came with me, and I am very upset about that. As soon as day comes, you will no longer challenge me to fight. And this will cost your life, for you talk so big.”
Sir Eckia said: “Go now, healthy and happy. Still I want to say something to you about my coin-belt. In it there is 12 pounds of red gold. If you strike me down, then it will be yours. Then you will have won much praise. My heart bursts so sore in my breast, for I cannot fight with you.
– The Saga of Didrik of Bern, 15th Century AD
