第159章

He invited the king and his retinue home to him to a feast.The king accepted the invitation, went to Thorer's, and was well received.The entertainment was very splendid; they were excellently treated, and all that was set before the guests was of the best that could be got.The king and his people talked among themselves of the excellence of everything, and knew not what they should admire the most, -- whether Thorer's house outside, or the inside furniture, the table service, or the liquors, or the host who gave them such a feast.But Dag said little about it.The king used often to speak to Dag, and ask him about various things; and he had proved the truth of all that Dag had said, both of things that had happened or were to happen, and therefore the king had much confidence in what he said.The king called Dag to him to have a private conversation together, and spoke to him about many things.Afterwards the king turned the conversation on Thorer, -- what an excellent man Thorer was, and what a superb feast he had made for them.Dag answered but little to this, but agreed it was true what the king said.The king then asked Dag what disposition or faith he found in Thorer.

Dag replied that he must certainly consider Thorer of a good disposition, if he be really what most people believe him to be.

The king told him to answer direct what he was asked, and said that it was his duty to do so.Dag replies, "Then thou must allow me to determine the punishment if I disclose his faith."The king replied that he would not submit his decision to another man, but again ordered Dag to reply to what he asked.

Dag replies, "The sovereign's order goes before all.I find this disposition in Thorer, as in so many others, that he is too greedy of money."The king: "Is he then a thief, or a robber?""He is neither."

"What is he then?"

"To win money he is a traitor to his sovereign.He has taken money from King Canute the Great for thy head."The king asks, "What proof hast thou of the truth of this?"Dag: "He has upon his right arm, above the elbow, a thick gold ring, which King Canute gave him, and which he lets no man see."This ended their conference, and the king was very wroth.Now as the king sat at table, and the guests had drunk a while with great mirth, and Thorer went round to see the guests well served, the king ordered Thorer to be called to him.He went up before the table, and laid his hands upon it.

The king asked, "How old a man art thou, Thorer?"He answered, "I am eighteen years old.""A stout man thou art for those years, and thou hast been fortunate also."Then the king took his right hand, and felt it towards the elbow.

Thorer said, "Take care, for I have a boil upon my arm."The king held his hand there, and felt there was something hard under it."Hast thou not heard," said he, "that I am a physician? Let me see the boil."As Thorer saw it was of no use to conceal it longer, he took off the ring and laid it on the table.

The king asked if that was the gift of King Canute.

Thorer replied that he could not deny it was.

The king ordered him to be seized and laid in irons.Kalf came up and entreated for mercy, and offered money for him, which also was seconded by many; but the king was so wroth that nobody could get in a word.He said Thorer should suffer the doom he had prepared for himself.Thereupon he ordered Thorer to be killed.

This deed was much detested in the Uplands, and not less in the Throndhjem country, where many of Thorer's connections were.

Kalf took the death of this man much to heart, for he had been his foster-son in childhood.

176.THE FALL OF GRJOTGARD.

Grjotgard Olverson, Thorer's brother, and the eldest of the brothers, was a very wealthy man, and had a great troop of people about him.He lived also at this time in Hedemark.When he heard that Thorer had been killed, he made an attack upon the places where the king's goods and men were; but, between whiles, he kept himself in the forest and other secret places.When the king heard of this disturbance, he had inquiry made about Grjotgard's haunts, and found out that he had taken up night-quarters not far from where the king was.King Olaf set out in the night-time, came there about day-dawn, and placed a circle of men round the house in which Grjotgard was sleeping.Grjotgard and his men, roused by the stir of people and clash of arms, ran to their weapons, and Grjotgard himself sprang to the front room.

He asked who commanded the troop; and it was answered him, "King Olaf was come there." Grjotgard asked if the king would hear his words.The king, who stood at the door, said that Grjotgard might speak what he pleased, and he would hear his words.

Grjotgard said, "I do not beg for mercy;" and at the same moment he rushed out, having his shield over his head, and his drawn sword in his hand.It was not so much light that he could see clearly.He struck his sword at the king; but Arnbjorn ran in, and the thrust pierced him under his armour into his stomach, and Arnbjorn got his deathwound.Grjotgard was killed immediately, and most of his people with him.After this event the king turned back to the south to Viken.

177.KING OLAF SENDS FOR HIS SHIPS AND GOODS.

Now when the king came to Tunsberg he sent men out to all the districts, and ordered the people out upon a levy.He had but a small provision of shipping, and there were only bondes' vessels to be got.From the districts in the near neighbourhood many people came to him, but few from any distance; and it was soon found that the people had turned away from the king.King Olaf sent people to Gautland for his ships, and other goods and wares which had been left there in autumn; but the progress of these men was very slow, for it was no better now than in autumn to sail through the Sound, as King Canute had in spring fitted out an army throughout the whole of the Danish dominions, and had no fewer than 1200 vessels.

178.KING OLAF'S COUNSELS.