Vésteinn

Vestein is the beloved brother-in-law and sworn friend whose secret murder is the killing that shatters the fellowship at the heart of Gísla saga. Bound to Gísli by sworn-brotherhood and marriage, he is a fine, well-liked man caught in the web of jealousy and suspicion tightening among the four friends and in-laws of the Westfjords. Despite warnings to stay away, he comes to Gísli's house — and there, in the night, an unknown hand drives a spear through him as he sleeps. The killing is the saga's hinge: Gísli secretly avenges his friend by killing the man he believes responsible (his own brother-in-law Thorgrím), and the concealment of that vengeance poisons everything and brings the long outlawry down on him. Vestein himself is almost more catalyst than character — the good friend whose death, and the secret revenge it demands, breaks a brotherhood and dooms the man who loved him.