When the king had said this he sat down, and made them take off his
shoes, and put corduvan boots on, to which he bound his gold spurs.
Then he put off his cloak and coat, and dressed himself in his finest
clothes, with a scarlet cloak over all; girded on his sword, set
a gilded helmet upon his head, and mounted his horse. He sent his
labouring people out to the neighbourhood, and gathered to him thirty
well-clothed men, and rode home with them. As they rode up to the house,
and were near the room, they saw on the other side of the house the
banners of Olaf coming waving; and there was he himself, with about
100 men all well equipped. People were gathered over all upon the
house-tops. King Sigurd immediately saluted his stepson from horseback
in a friendly way, and invited him and his men to come in and drink a
cup with him. Asta, on the contrary, went up and kissed her son, and
invited him to stay with her; and land, and people, and all the good she
could do for him stood at his service. King Olaf thanked her kindly for
her invitation. Then she took him by the hand, and led him into the room
to the high-seat. King Sigurd got men to take charge of their clothes,
and give their horses corn; and then he himself went to his high-seat,
and the feast was made with the greatest splendour.