here they might lurk. Now Astrid being great
with child of King Tryggvi caused herself to be transported to an islet
on a lake & there took shelter with but few of her company.

In due time she bare a man-child, and at his baptism he was called Olaf
after his father's father. All that summer did she abide there in
hiding. But when the nights grew as long as they were dark and the
weather waxed cold, she set forth once more and with her fared Thorolf
and the others of her train. Only by night could they venture in those
parts of the country that were inhabited being in fear lest they should
be seen of men or meet with them. In time, at even, came they to the
homestead of Eirik of Oprostad. And since they were journeying by
stealth, Astrid sent a messenger to the goodman of the house, who bade
them to be led to an outhouse & there had set before them the best of
cheer. Thence, when Astrid had abided for a while, her followers went
unto their homes, but she remained there & with her to bear her company
were two women, her babe Olaf, Thorolf Louse-Beard and his son Thorgills
who was six winters old. They rested in that place until the winter was
done.

|| After they had made an end to slaying Tryggvi Olafson, Harald
Grey-Cloak and Gudrod his brother hied them to the homesteads that had
been his. But ere they came thither Astrid had fled & of her learned
they no tidings save a rumour that she was with child of King Tryggvi.

In the autumn fared they to the north, as has been related beforetime,
and when they were face to face with their mother Gunnhild, told they
her all that had befallen them on their journey. Closely did she
question them concerning Astrid, and they imparted to her what they had
heard. But because the sons of Gunnhild were that same autumn and the
next winter at strife with Earl Hakon, as hath already ere now been set
forth, made they no search for Astrid and her son.

|| When the spring was come, Gunnhild despatched spies to the Uplands,
and even as far as Vik, to get news of Astrid. And when the spies
returned it was with the tidings that she was with her father Eirik &
there most like was she rearing the son that she had borne to King
Tryggvi that was dead. Forthwith Gunnhild chose messengers and equipped
them handsomely both with weapons and wearing apparel: thirty men chose
she, and their leader was Hakon, a man of influence and a friend to
herself. She bade them make their way to Oprostad to E