"Is this tale true ?" And he stared at me as at one who had dealings with the other world.
I knew that my story must have come into this shape through some tales that the goldsmith had set about.
"Hardly," said I; "but it is a long story.

Maybe Eadmund the Saint had more to do with it than I know; but I saw him not." "Well then, Redwald, it seems unsafe for you to go near Streone--" "It will be unsafe for him," I said savagely, for my temper was sorely tried by my failure, as I have said.
Egil laughed.
"Why, then, all the more must I keep you out of his way." "Hang me and have done," I said; "I am of no more use." "That," quoth Egil, "is what I thought concerning myself when you had me down in the fight.

Now I am here to let you go, and bid you take heart.

This is but chance of war, and one must take it as it comes." Now it was so plain that the honest chief wished me well, that I could not but thank him for his words, though, indeed, just at this time I seemed to care little for what became of me.
"You are a generous foe, Egil Thorarinsson," I said.
"You and I shall be good friends some day, as I hope," he said; "meanwhile we will be fair foes.

You slew me not, because I had fallen more or less by chance.