The Hervarar Saga ok Heiðreks on Thrain

Stories And Ballads > Chapter 4 also has a special interest of its own. Breaking into > The Saga Of Hromund Greipsson

• attestation: Thrain's ghost challenged Hromund to wrestle rather than fight with a sword

  "There is no glory in attacking me with a sword when I am unarmed. I would rather try my strength in wrestling with you."

• attestation: Thrain's ghost had crooked hands with talons for fingernails and wore a gold-wrought mantle

  "Thrain was wearing a gold-wrought mantle. Both his hands were crooked and his finger nails were like talons."

• attestation: The ghost had a cauldron above him with a big flame beneath its feet

  "he took down his cauldron which he kept above him. He was by no means pleasant to watch as he blew up his fire"

• attestation: Thrain lamented that he formerly was the first to fight and must have become a coward

  "Formerly," he continued, "I used to be the first to fight. I must have become a great coward if I let you rob me of my wealth single handed"

• attestation: Thrain's barrow contained a sword, armour and great treasure

  "He was put into a barrow with a sword, armour and great treasure"

• attestation: Thrain warned Hromund to beware of him even dead

  "you had better beware of me, dead though I am."

• attestation: The ghost claimed to have fought 144 times without a scratch

  ""A hundred and forty four," said the ghost, "and I never got a scratch."