to help him. Erling took up
the word first, and said, "My relation, Asbjorn, it is reported to me,
has been guilty of misdemeanor, king; and it is a great one, if he has
done anything that incurs your displeasure. Now I am come to entreat for
him peace, and such penalties as you yourself may determine; but that
thereby he redeem life and limb, and his remaining here in his native
land."

The king replies, "It appears to me, Erling, that thou thinkest the case
of Asbjorn is now in thy own power, and I do not therefore know why thou
speakest now as if thou wouldst offer terms for him. I think thou hast
drawn together these forces because thou are determined to settle what
is between us."

Erling replies, "Thou only, king, shalt determine, and determine so that
we shall be reconciled."

The king: "Thinkest thou, Erling, to make me afraid? And art thou come
here in such force with that expectation? No, that shall not be; and if
that be thy thought, I must in no way turn and fly."

Erling replies, "Thou hast no occasion to remind me how often I have
come to meet thee with fewer men than thou hadst. But now I shall not
conceal what lies in my mind, namely, that it is my will that we now
enter into a reconciliation; for otherwise I expect we shall never meet
again." Erling was then as red as blood in the face.

Now Bishop Sigurd came forward to the king and said, "Sire, I entreat
you on God Almighty's account to be reconciled with Erling according to
his offer,--that the man shall retain life and limb, but that thou shalt
determine according to thy pleasure all the other conditions."

The king replies, "You will determine."

Then said the bishop, "Erling, do thou give security for Asbjorn, such
as the king thinks sufficient, and then leave the conditions to the
mercy of the king, and leave all in his power."

Erling gave a surety to the king on his part, which he accepted.

Thereupon Asbjorn received his life and safety, and delivered himself
into the king's power, and kissed his hand.

Erling then withdrew with his forces, without exchanging salutation with
the king; and the king went into the hall, followed by Asbjorn. The king
thereafter made known the terms of reconciliation to be these:--"In the
first place, Asbjorn, thou must submit to the law of the land, which
commands that the man who kills a servant of the king must undertake
his service, if the king will. Now I will that thou shalt undertake the
office