This is a Norse tale of Howard the Halt, or Howard the Lame. It tells of a man named Thorbiorn who had the priesthood over Icefirth. A mighty chief, but the most unjust of men. Throughout Icefirth all spoke ill of him. He would take maidens, handfast them awhile before sending them home. From others he took their goods and chattels or their lands. He had taken a young high-born woman, Sigrid, as his housekeeper. And then there is our hero - Howard. He too was of great kin, but now in the Autumn of his life. In his earlier days he had been a great Viking and the best of champions. In one of his bouts he was badly wounded and incurred a knee injury. Ever after he was halt, hence his name. Howard"s wife was Biargey, a stirring woman of good kin. They had one son, Olaf, a most resolute young man. Great of growth, and goodly of aspect. Olaf was keen on Sigrid as was she on him. One of Thorbiorn"s henchmen, Vakr, was also keen on Sigrid, but she rejected his advances. Thorbiorn, Vakr...