He was giddy and retching from weariness, and something inside him was cold as ice, though his head burned.It was not rage or grief, but awe, for his father had fallen and the end of the world had come.The noise of the battle died, as the two pushed through the undergrowth and came into the open spaces of the wood.It was growing very dark, but still Leif dragged him onwards.Then suddenly he fell forward on his face, and Biorn, as he stumbled over him.found his hands wet with blood.
"I am for death," Leif whispered."Put your ear close, prince.I am Leif the Outborn and I know the hidden things....You are the heir of Thorwald Thorwaldson and you will not die....I see a long road, but at the end a great kingdom.Farewell, little Biorn.We have been good comrades, you and I.Katla from Sigg spoke the true word..."And when Biorn fetched water in his horn from a woodland pool he found Leif with a cold brow.
Blind with sorrow and fatigue, the boy stumbled on, without purpose.He was lonely in the wide world, many miles from his home, and all his kin were slain.Rain blew from the south-west and beat in his face, the brambles tore his legs, but he was dead to all things.Would that the Shield Maids had chosen him to go with that brave company to the bright hall of Odin!