Just then came in the viands, and afterwards players with harps and
fiddles and other music, and then drink was served. The King was very
merry, and had many great men as his guests, and thought no more of
Emund. He drank for the rest of the day, and slept that night.
But in the morning, when the King waked, then he bethought him of what
Emund had talked of the day before. And so soon as he was dressed he had
his wise men summoned to him. King Olaf had ever about him twelve of the
wisest men; they sate with him over judgments and counselled him in
difficulties; and that was no easy task, for while the King liked it ill
if judgment was perverted, he yet would not hear any contradiction of
himself. When they were met thus in council, the King took the word,
and bade Emund be called thither.
But the messenger came back and said: 'Sire, Emund the lawman rode away
yesterday immediately after he had supped.'
Then spake the King: 'Tell me this, noble lords, whereto pointed that
law question of which Emund asked yesterday?'
They answered: 'Sire, thou wilt have understood it, if it meant more
than his mere words.'
The King said: 'By those two nobly-born men of whom he told the story
that they disputed, the one more powerful than the other, and each
wrought the other harm, he meant me and Olaf Stout.'
'It is even so, sire,' said they, 'as thou sayest.'
The King went on: 'Judgment there was in our cause at the Upsala Thing.
But what did that mean which he said about the under-payment, wildgoose
for goose, little pig for old swine, half clay for gold?'
Arnvid the Blind answered: 'Sire,' said he, 'very unlike are red gold
and clay, but more different are king and thrall. Thou didst promise to
Olaf Stout thy daughter Ingigerdr, who is of royal birth on both sides,
and of Up-Swedish family, the highest in the North, for it derives from
the gods themselves. But now King Olaf has gotten to wife Astridr. And
though she is a king's child, yet her mother is a bondwoman and a
Wendlander.'
There were three brothers then in the council; Arnvid the Blind, whose
sight was so dim that he could scarce bear arms, but he was very
eloquent; the second was Thorvid the Stammerer, who could not speak more
than two words together, he was most bold and sincere; the third was
called Freyvid the Deaf, he was hard of hearing. These brothers were all
powerful men, wealthy, of noble kin, prudent, and all were dear to the
King.
Then said King Olaf: 'What means that which Emund told of Atti the
Silly?'
None answered, but they looked at one another.