The news spread far and wide and many people said that it had not happened any sooner than was likely. Gunnar rode to Bergthorshvol and told Njal of these deeds.
Njal spoke: ‘It’s a big thing you’ve done, but you’ve been greatly provoked.’
‘What will come next?’ said Gunnar.
‘Do you want me to tell you of something which has not yet happened?’ said Njal. ‘You will ride to the Thing and follow my advice and earn great honour from this matter. This will be the beginning of your career of killings.’
‘Give me your sound advice,’ said Gunnar.
‘I will,’ said Njal. ‘Never kill more than once within the same bloodline, and never break any settlement which good men make between you and others, least of all if you have broken my first warning.’
‘I would have expected other men to do these things sooner than me,’ said Gunnar.
‘That’s so,’ said Njal. ‘And yet you must bear in mind that if these two things happen, you will not have long to live–but otherwise you will live to be an old man.’
Gunnar said, ‘Do you know what will be the cause of your death?’
‘I do,’ said Njal.
‘What?’ said Gunnar.
‘Something that people would least expect,’ said Njal.
Then Gunnar rode home.
