The next morning dawned on a meeting of the entire Njalsson legal team – Asgrim, Thorhall, Gizur, Hjalti, Gudmund’s brother Einar – and Mord Valgardsson.
“Why are you here?” said Njal icily.
“In my capacity as surprise witness for the defense,” said Mord, crossing one knee smugly over the other. “Never fear – the Sigfussons have formally taken over the prosecution.”
Asgrim turned to Gizur, Hjalti, and Einar. “In case you’re confused, Mord started the case against the Njalssons, but he was secretly one of the murderers and was responsible for the unattributed wound. It should invalidate the entire case.”
“Wow,” said Hjalti. “We need to inform the court!”
“No,” said Thorhall. “We need to keep it a secret. If we bring it up now, they still have time to re-file.”
Asgrim thumped his son on the back. “I knew that legal education was going to pay off!”
“Wait.” Hjalti shook his head in confusion. “This is our defense? How does it make us look good?”
“One can hardly become the best lawyer in Iceland by entertaining such qualms,” pointed out Mord.*
The first session was set for Friday, and a line of people went to talk to Flosi, who was adamant, though not raging.
“A peaceful settlement is what I want,” he told every visitor.
“So will you accept one?”
“Not at the moment.”
The days dragged on, and Friday evening saw both sides staring each other down on opposite sides of Law Rock, bristling with weapons.
Ketil and the other Sigfussons followed proceedings to the letter. Oaths, from both sides; charges; witnesses, for the announcement of the killing, and the seating of the panel Mord had called.
That was Thorhall Asgrim-Ellida-Grimssonsson’s time to shine. “Objection!” he called out.
“Which member of the panel are you objecting to?” asked Flosi, quite calmly.
“The entire panel,” said Thorhall. “The person who called it was one of the murderers.”
Flosi consulted his paperwork. “It was…”
“Mord Valgarsson, yes,” said Thorhall. “He was party to the murder, and delivered one of the wounds – a three-inch gash between the third and fourth ribs on the left, which penetrated the intercostal muscles but no viscera. Then he fled the scene, announced the murder under the pretense of being a third party, and opened the case. These despicable actions invalidate your case. And Mord should probably be outlawed.”
* Njal could not be reached for comment.
Saxo Dramaticus 