sent the Danish King his
men north into Norway even to Harald Grey-cloak, and they were right
well furnished for their journey, and were made welcome with much cheer
and in all courtesy were received by King Harald. They related the
tidings that Earl Hakon was in Denmark, and was lying sick unto death
and well-nigh witless; and the further tidings that Harald the Danish
King bade Harald Grey-cloak to him to take such fiefs as he and his
brothers had held aforetime in Denmark, and to that purpose bade he
Harald come to him in Jutland. Harald Grey-cloak laid the matter before
Gunnhild and other counsellors and their views were not all of one
accord, some fearing that this journey was not without peril by reason
of the men that were set over against them to be dealt with; but the
greater number were desirous that he should go by reason of the great
famine that was at this time in Norway whereby the kings could scarce
feed their men. And it was at this season that the fjord near-by which
the kings most oft abode gat its name of Harding.

In Denmark, as men had marked, the harvest had been at least of goodly
measure, so that men thought to get thence what they required should
King Harald have fief & dominion there. It was agreed therefore ere the
emissaries departed whence they had come, that when summer was at hand
Harald should hie to the Danish King, and pronounce his adhesion to the
conditions King Harald proffered.

|| So in due course when the summer sun shone in the long hours of night
fared forth Harald Grey-cloak towards Denmark in three longships, & one
of these was steered by Arinbiorn, the 'hersir'Sec. of the Fjords.Sec. King
Harald sailed from Vik over to Limfjord and took port at Hals, where it
was told him that the Danish King was expected in a brief space. Now
when King Harald heard of this, hastened he to make sail thither with
nine ships, the which had been whiles mustered and set in readiness to
take the sea. Earl Hakon had likewise armed his men & he also was about
to set forth after the manner of a viking; at his word twelve ships, and
they large ones, set their sails. When Gold Harald had fared forth, Earl
Hakon spake to the King, saying, 'Methinks we are like to row to war and
yet pay the war-fine[Sec.] to boot. Gold Harald will now slay Harald
Grey-cloak and thereafter take himself a kingdom in Norway.

Thinkest thou that he will be loyal to thee when thou givest him so much
power? Thus said he in