has happened to me that King Olaf is offended
at; but many of his disposition act both for themselves and others, in
a way that only men who are daring can succeed in. But as yet all his
plans have had good success, and I think this will turn out well too; so
I assure you, earl, that I will actually travel to the Swedish king,
and not turn back before I have brought to his ears every word that King
Olaf told me to say to him, unless death prevent me, or that I am in
bonds, and cannot perform my errand; and this I must do, whether you
give any aid or no aid to me in fulfilling the king's wishes."

Then said IngebJorg, "I will soon declare my opinion. I think, earl,
thou must turn all thy attention to supporting King Olaf the king of
Norway's desire that this message be laid before the Swedish king, in
whatever way he may answer it. Although the Swedish king's anger should
be incurred, and our power and property be at stake, yet will I rather
run the risk, than that it should be said the message of King Olaf was
neglected from fear of the Swedish king. Thou hast that birth, strength
of relations, and other means, that here in the Swedish land it is free
to thee to tell thy mind, if it be right and worthy of being heard,
whether it be listened to by few or many, great or little people, or by
the king himself."

The earl replies, "It is known to every one how thou urgest me: it may
be, according to thy counsel, that I should promise the king's men to
follow them, so that they may get their errand laid before the Swedish
king, whether he take it ill or take it well. But I will have my own
counsel followed, and will not run hastily into Bjorn's or any other
man's measures, in such a highly important matter. It is my will that ye
all remain here with me, so long as I think it necessary for the purpose
of rightly forwarding this mission." Now as the earl had thus given them
to understand that he would support them in the business, Bjorn thanked
him most kindly, and with the assurance that his advice should rule them
altogether. Thereafter Bjorn and his fellow-travellers remained very
long in the earl's house.

ENDNOTES: (1) Before writing was a common accomplishment in courts, the
only way of accrediting a special messenger between kings
and great men was by giving the messenger a token; that is.
some article well known by the person receiving the message
to be the property of and valued by the perso