re already, with two
ships each of twenty benches. Thorberg met his brothers with joy, and
observed that his whetstone had taken effect; and Fin replied he seldom
needed sharpening for such work. Then they proceeded north with all
their forces to Throndhjem, and Stein was along with them. When they
came to Agdanes, Kaff Arnason was there before them; and he also had a
wellmanned ship of twenty benches. With this war-force they sailed up
to Nidaros, where they lay all night. The morning after they had a
consultation with each other. Kalf and Erling's sons were for attacking
the town with all their forces, and leaving the event to fate; but
Thorberg wished that they should first proceed with moderation, and
make an offer; in which opinion Fin and Arne also concurred. It was
accordingly resolved that Fin and Arne, with a few men, should first
wait upon the king. The king had previously heard that they had come so
strong in men, and was therefore very sharp in his speech. Fin offered
to pay mulct for Thorberg, and also for Stein, and bade the king to
fix what the penalties should be, however large; stipulating only for
Thorberg safety and his fiefs, and for Stein life and limb.

The king replies, "It appears to me that ye come from home so equipped
that ye can determine half as much as I can myself, or more; but this I
expected least of all from you brothers, that ye should come against me
with an army; and this counsel, I can observe, has its origin from the
people of Jadar; but ye have no occasion to offer me money in mulct."

Fin replies, "We brothers have collected men, not to offer hostility to
you, sire, but to offer rather our services; but if you will bear down
Thorberg altogether, we must all go to King Canute the Great with such
forces as we have."

Then the king looked at him, and said, "If ye brothers will give your
oaths that ye will follow me in the country and out of the country, and
not part from me without my leave and permission, and shall not conceal
from me any treasonable design that may come to your knowledge against
me, then will I agree to a peace with you brothers."

Then Fin returned to his forces, and told the conditions which the king
had proposed to them. Now they held a council upon it, and Thorberg, for
his part, said he would accept the terms offered. "I have no wish,"
says he, "to fly from my property, and seek foreign masters; but, on the
contrary, will always consider it an honour to fo