h him to the peasant Reas, and
when they were come to the churl paid he him what price was covenanted
between them for the boys and bare them with him to Holmgard. But never
a word did he relate of the lineage of Olaf, yet held he him in high
favour.

|| It was that one day in the marketplace lingered Olaf Tryggvason when
there was a gathering of many people. And it chanced that amongst them,
spied he Klerkon who had slain his fosterfather Thorolf Louse-Beard. Now
Olaf had a small axe in his hand, and he drave it into the head of
Klerkon so that it went right down into his brain: forthwith ran he home
to his lodging and told his kinsman Sigurd thereof. Straightway did
Sigurd take Olaf to the house of the Queen, and to her made known what
had befallen. Her name was Allogia, and Sigurd prayed for her grace to
protect the lad. The Queen beheld the boy and said that one so young and
so well favoured must not be slain, and proclaimed her readiness to
summon men fully armed. Now it fell in Holmgard that so great was the
respect paid unto peace that it was lawful to slay any man who himself
had slain another who was uncondemned; and therefore in accordance with
their law and custom the people made assemblage together to take into
custody the person of the boy.

Then were they told that he was in the house of the Queen in the midst
of an armed band; and this was also brought to the ears of the King.

He made him ready to go over to these armed men & give them his
commission not to fight, and forthwith did he, the King, adjudge the
geld-levy, the fine thereof being paid down by the Queen. Thereafter did
Olaf abide in the house of the Queen and waxed to find much favour in
her eyes.

|| Now it was the law in Garda that men of royal blood should not dwell
there save with the consent of the King, therefore Sigurd made known
unto the Queen from what stock Olaf was descended and in what manner he
had come thither, saying that because of dissensions he could not
prudently be in his own country, and he prayed her to speak with the
King upon this matter. Then did she approach the King beseeching him
that he would help this son of a king even because so hard a fate had
befallen him: & the outcome of her prayers was that the King pledged her
his word and taking Olaf under his protection treated him with honour,
as it was seemly the son of a king should be held in honour.

Olaf was nine winters old when he came to Garda, & nine mo