Viking
The Most Famous Last Stand of All
“They attacked harder than every, thrusting at Gisli with their spears until guts spilled out. Gisli gathered the guts up together in his shirt, and bound them with a cord.” […]
Gisli's Saga
Human Affairs
A Model Viking Wife
“I want to make a deal with you, Aud,” he said. “You tell me where Gisli is and I will give you three hundred pieces of silver, which I have received as the price on his head. In addition, I will arrange a marriage for you that will be superior in every way to this one.” […]
Humor
A Bumbling Spy
“At that very moment, Thorgerd returned and Helgi turned round quickly and fell off the partition. Thorgerd asked him what he was doing climbing up the rafters instead of lying still. He said he was so racked with pains in his joints that he could not lie still.” […]
Humor
A Shrew Saves the Day
” They continued to search the place even so, but not as carefully as they might have done if they had not had to suffer such a torrent of abuse from the farmer’s wife. Having found nothing, they left and wished the farmer well.” […]
Human Affairs
A Fine Tale Quickly Told
“Bjorn gave Ari a choice: either he fight him on the island of Stokkaholm in Surnadal or hand over his wife, Ingibjorg.” […]
Viking
Death by Stupidity
“The young man took it, turned to one side, unfastened the peace straps and drew the sword. When Thorkel saw that he said, “I did not give you permission to draw the sword.”
“I did not ask your permission,” said the lad.” […]
Viking
Duel of Swords and Words
“Gisli, who was out in the woods, heard this and answered, “Find some better employment for your farmhands. Here is a man who dares to fight you.” […]
Human Affairs
Brothers Sworn in Blood
“Then they drew blood and let it drip down on to the soil beneath the turf strip and stirred it together – the soil and the blood.” […]
Viking
A Killer in the Dark
“Gisli then pulled the bedclothes off them with one hand, and with the other he plunged his spear through Thorgrim so that he stuck fast in the bed.” […]
Human Affairs
Rough Games for Rough Men
“Running, Gisli took the ball and pitched it between Thorgrim’s shoulder-blades. The blow pushed him flat on his face.” […]