held in Denmark; and appointing a meeting in Jutland. Harald Grafeld
laid the matter before his mother and other friends. Their opinions were
divided. Some thought that the expedition was not without its danger,
on account of the men with whom they had to deal; but the most were in
haste to begin the journey, for at that time there was such a famine in
Norway that the kings could scarcely feed their men-at-arms; and on this
account the Fjord, on which the kings resided, usually got the name
of Hardanger (Hardacre). In Denmark, on the other hand, there had been
tolerably good crops; so that people thought that if King Harald got
fiefs, and something to rule over there they would get some assistance.
It was therefore concluded, before the messengers returned, that Harald
should travel to Denmark to the Danish king in summer, and accept the
conditions King Harald offered.

12. TREACHERY OF HARALD AND HAKON.

Harald Grafeld went to Denmark in the summer (A.D. 969) with three
long-ships; and Herse Arinbjorn, from the Fjord district, commanded one
of them. King Harald sailed from Viken over to Limfjord in Jutland, and
landed at the narrow neck of land where the Danish king was expected.
Now when Gold Harald heard of this, he sailed there with nine ships
which he had fitted out before for a viking cruise. Earl Hakon had also
his war force on foot; namely, twelve large ships, all ready, with which
he proposed to make an expedition. When Gold Harald had departed Earl
Hakon says to the king, "Now I don't know if we are not sailing on an
expedition, and yet are to pay the penalty of not having joined it. Gold
Harald may kill Harald Grafeld, and get the kingdom of Norway; but you
must not think he will be true to you, although you do help him to so
much power, for he told me in winter that he would take your life if he
could find opportunity to do so. Now I will win Norway for you, and kill
Gold Harald, if you will promise me a good condition under you. I will
be your earl; swear an oath of fidelity to you, and, with your help,
conquer all Norway for you; hold the country under your rule; pay you
the scat and taxes; and you will be a greater king than your father, as
you will have two kingdoms under you." The king and the earl agreed upon
this, and Hakon set off to seek Gold Harald.

13. DEATH OF HARALD GRAFELD.

Gold Harald came to the neck of land at Limfjord, and immediately
challenged Harald Grafeld to battle;