Erik, unwilling to be thought quicker of tongue than of hand, did not refuse the terms.
Now the manner of combat was as follows.

A ring, plaited of withy or rope, used to be offered to the combatants for them to drag away by wrenching it with a great effort of foot and hand; and the prize went to the stronger, for if either of the combatants could wrench it from the other, he was awarded the victory.

Erik struggled in this manner, and, grasping the rope sharply, wrested it out of the hands of his opponent.
When Erode saw this, he said: "I think it is hard to tug at a rope with a strong man." And Erik said: "Hard, at any rate, when a tumour is in the body or a hunch sits on the back." And straightway, thrusting his foot forth, he broke the infirm neck and back of the old man, and crushed him.

And so Westmar failed to compass his revenge: zealous to retaliate, he fell into the portion of those who need revenging; being smitten down even as those whose slaughter he had desired to punish.
Now Frode intended to pierce Erik by throwing a dagger at him.

But Gunwar knew her brother's purpose, and said, in order to warn her betrothed of his peril, that no man could be wise who took no forethought for himself.