His time came after years. Gram was making slow headway, for not only the Swedes but the Geats fought him stubbornly. So one summer he set off instead against Sumbli, a Norseman who had seized mastery over a goodly number of Finns. Gram wanted that scot of furs, hides, thralls, and other wares, to help him in his Swedish war.

When he got to Finland, Sumbli asked if they could bargain instead of fighting. Gram went to his hall. There he saw his daughter Signy and fell head over heels. He offered peace if he could have her.

But then a stiffly rowed ship brought news from home. While Gram was gone, Svipdag had taken a fleet across the Skagerrak and down the Kattegat. He was harrying throughout Denmark. Gram must needs hasten back. As he sailed near, the Norsemen withdrew, leaving slain folk, burnt homes, and looted burghs. They had also carried off his sister and a daughter he had by Gro.

Yet rather than seek revenge at once, he left as soon as he could for Finland and Signy. Awaiting no trouble, he told most of his earlier following to stay behind, look after their kin and ward the land. With three ships bearing warriors and gifts he beat his way slowly back up the gulf against foul winds and heavy seas.

When at last he reached tis goal, he found more bad tiding. Sumbli had no liking for him nor faith in him. Already before he first came, word had gone back and forth across the water about giving Signy to the Saxon king Henrik. When Gram had hurried off, Sumbli sent after this man, who was swift to heed. The wedding feast was now ready.

Gram’s icy stillness was more frightening than even his outspoken wrath. He had too few spears with him to make a straightforward onslaught. Instead he donned shabby clothes, put on a hooded cloak that shadowed his face, and went on foot to Sumbli’s hall. At such a merry time, strangers were welcome. One or two guards did ask him if he brought anything. He answered that he was skilled in the healing arts. While the – hall filled with guests and the mead horns came forth, he hunkered down among other lowly folk. As everybody grew drunk, he worked his way toward the high seat where Henrik sat with Sumbli, the bride across from them among her women. Once in reach, he whipped a sword from beneath his cloak and slew Henrik in one blow.

No other man had gone in armed at this hallowed time. Gram hewed a path over the hall, snatched Signy up in his left arm, and cut his way onward to a door. Off into the gathering dusk he ran, got to his ships, And put to sea.