Grettir - Axe to shoulder

As they passed by a gate, a man with a raised axe jumped out and, using both hands, struck at Grettir, who had let down his guard and was walking slowly. Arnbjorn, however, saw the man and shoved Grettir forward with such force that he fell onto his knees. The axe cut into Grettir's shoulder, slashing down to his armpit; it was a serious wound. Grettir turned quickly and drew his sax. He recognized the attacked as Hjarrandi. The axe had sunk into the roadway, and Hjarrandi was not quick enough in pulling it back. In that instant Grettir struck him. The blow landed just below Hjarrandi's shoulder, taking off his arm. Now five of Hjarrandi's followers attacked. In the brief fight that followed Grettir and Arnbjorn killed the five who were with Hjarrandi. One man, however, escaped and went immediately to the jarl to tell him what had happened.

The jarl was infuriated when he learned of the outcome and summoned an assembly for the next day. Thorfinn went to the Thing.

The jarl blamed Grettir for the killing, and Grettir admitted it, saying that his hands had been full in defending himself. 'Further, I carry the mark of it,' said Grettir. 'I would have been killed if Arnbjorn hadn't saved me.'

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23. Jarl Svein and Grettir