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The Völsunga Saga on Regin

The Story Of The Volsungs, (Volsunga Saga) > CHAPTER XIII. Of the Birth and Waxing of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane.

relationship: Regin son of Hreidmar became Sigurd's foster-father and taught him arts, chess, runes, and many tongues

"Sigurd's foster-father was hight Regin, the son of Hreidmar; he taught him all manner of arts, the chess play, and the lore of runes, and the talking of many tongues"
attestation: Regin goaded Sigurd about his wealth being held by kings and suggested he prove himself

"A marvellous thing truly that thou must needs be a horse-boy to the kings, and go about like a running knave."
attestation: Regin told Sigurd that the dragon Fafnir lay on Gnita-heath guarding treasure beyond measure

"Fafnir is his name, and but a little way hence he lies, on the waste of Gnita-heath; and when thou comest there thou mayst well say that thou hast never seen more gold heaped together in one place"
attestation: Regin challenged Sigurd's courage by questioning whether he had the heart and mind of his Volsung ancestors

"thou, though thou be of the kin of the Volsungs, shalt scarce have the heart and mind of those, who are told of as the first in all deeds of fame."
attestation: Regin downplayed Fafnir's size, saying he was like any other dragon and the tales were exaggerated

"Nay it is not so, the fashion and the growth of him is even as of other lingworms, (1) and an over great tale men make of it"

attestation: Regin was skilled in metalwork while Otter could take otter form and was a great fisher

"I was cunning to work in iron, and silver, and gold, whereof I could make matters that availed somewhat. Other skill my brother Otter followed, and had another nature withal, for he was a great fisher, and above other men herein; in that he had the likeness of an otter by day"
attestation: Regin became the king's master-smith after being cheated of his share of the treasure

"for me, I went to the king and became his master-smith"

attestation: Regin forged two swords for Sigurd, but both broke when tested against the anvil

"Regin makes a sword, and gives it into Sigurd's hands. He took the sword, and said--

"Behold thy smithying, Regin!" and therewith smote it into the anvil, and the sword brake"

attestation: Regin told Sigurd to go slay Fafnir as he had given his word

"Go thou and slay Fafnir, even as thou hast given thy word."

attestation: Regin instructed Sigurd to dig a pit in Fafnir's path and stab the dragon from below

"Make thee a hole, and sit down therein, and whenas the worm comes to the water, smite him into the heart"

attestation: Regin congratulated Sigurd but expressed guilt that his own brother had been slain

"Mine own brother hast thou slain, and scarce may I be called sackless of the deed."