Chapter 3 - Innstein's dreams

When Hodulfr arrived at his birth-home, his stepfather Jarl Jotmundr met him and swore an oath of allegiance to him and invited him as a guest along with half his followers. But the next morning, when Hodulfr had gotten ready and said that half his men were to stay behind, Innsteinn said:

“We will all leave

the camp and kill
Jótsmund's men and
burn his court.”

Hodulfr replied:

“Half this host
of heroes goes
from the camp,
I say, in peace.
To us an offer
Jótmundr granted,
red rings as we
would wish to have.”

Nevertheless, Innstein sought to hold Hodulfr back and said:

“You don't see all
of Jotmund's mind;
that chief conceals
deceit in breast.
You’d set less store
in your stepfather’s
word, my Lord.”

Hodulfr objected:

“Jotmundr has sworn
oaths untold
pledged his friendship,
promised peace.
No chief well-born
would abuse a truce,
betray the trust
of a true ally.”

But then Innsteinn said:

“Ymir’s fury
has befallen you
if Jotmundr you trust.
He’ll us betray,
unless you keep
a look out!”

Hodulfr said:

“You always twist
the talk to terror—
that chief won’t betray
his treaty with us.
Gold we’ll get there
and gleaming gems,
red rings scattered
from the ruler’s hoard.”

But Innstein replied that he had dreamed about a fire that was burning Hodulfr and his men:

“What do you think that dream is, King?”

Hodulfr just said:

“I’ll give a gilt helm
to each gallant hero,
to those bold fellows
who follow me.
That will flash like fire
over the lord’s warband
lighting their heads.”

Innstein nonetheless sought to hold Hodulfr back, saying that in his other dream the fire was burning around their shoulders, but Hodulfr responded:

“Chain-links will chime
on chief’s retainers,
on king’s men clinking
cascades the mail.
That will shine
on shoulders brightly,
of royal drengir¹
quite like fire.”

But Innstein kept insisting and continued with his third dream. Saying that Hodulfr and his men were drowned at sea; certainly, a warning of betrayal. Then Hodulfr got angry and saw that he no longer wanted to listen to his dreams. Innsteinn then sought to warn Hodulf's men:

“Listen up, you two ravens²,
in the ranks of our lord,
and heed these words
of warning, Utsteinn.
Up from the camp
let’s stride together.
The words of our godi
we won’t blame for that.”

But Utsteinn said to his brother:

“We’ll let the Stridsgodi,
our warrior king,
lead with daring
our expeditions.
Let’s chance it, brother,
to please the chief,
risk our bodies
for a brave master.”

When Innsteinn realized it was of no use, he said:

“The ruler’s relied
while roaming abroad,
our lord many times,
on my loyal counsel.
Now though it seems
there’s nothing I can say—
the chief won’t listen
since we came this way.”

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1. one who is courageous or daring; a badass
2. the Hrafn brothers