leave, he won't be coming back. Ultimately, both predictions are realized when Bard is killed trying to capture Ref, who ends up escaping safely to Norway. Fate was an inescapable part of Norse culture, and it was believed that a baby's death was determined the day it was born by three Norns, or women of destiny. Another theme of the saga was honor, which was considered to be even more valuable to a man than his own life in Norse culture. Being called a coward or effeminate, was considered the greatest insult of all to a man's honor. Because of this, Ref was duty-bound to kill Thorbjorn after being called a coward by his own mother. Another theme of the saga is Ref's name itself. After hearing of the death of Bard, King Harald gives Ref the name of Ref the Sly. Although strong and powerful as well, Ref uses his canniness to outwit his dull opponents, who rely on brute force to get what they want. Ref generally tends to avoid violence and confrontation, unless he is forced to take action. See also Reynard Die Geschichte von Fuchs dem Listigen. Deutsch von F. Niedner. In: Grönländer und Färinger-Geschichten. Düsseldorf: E. Diederichs, 1912 (Thule - Altnordische Dichtung und Prosa. Band Nr. XIII). S. 125ff. Viking ships Lewis Chessmen (possibly similar to the chessboard given to King Harald by Gunnar) Sagas of Icelanders References Other sources Clark, George. "Saga of Ref the Sly". Trans. of Islendinga sogur III, Reykjavik, 1987. Kellogg, Robert, and George Clark. "The Saga of Ref the Sly." The Sagas of Icelanders: A Selection. By Jane Smiley. New York: Viking, 2000. 595-625. Print. Short, William R. "Hurstwic: Honor, Dueling, and Drengskapr in the Viking Age." Hurstwic, 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2015. Hallakarva, Gunnora. "Internet History Sourcebooks Project." The Vikings and Homosexuality. Fordham University, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015. "International World History Project." VIKINGS. History World International, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015. External links Full text (in Icelandic) at the Icelandic Saga Database Proverbs in Króka-Refs saga (in Icelandic and English) at the University of Saskatchewan Vikings and Homosexuality Viking Religion Sagas of Icelanders