King Olaf had not been long here before he one day called his stepfather
King Sigurd, his mother Asta, and his foster-father Hrane to a
conference and consultation. Olaf began thus: "It has so happened," said
he, "as is well known to you, that I have returned to this country after
a very long sojourn in foreign parts, during all which time I and my men
have had nothing for our support but what we captured in war, for which
we have often hazarded both life and soul: for many an innocent man have
we deprived of his property, and some of their lives; and foreigners are
now sitting in the possessions which my father, his father, and their
forefathers for a long series of generations owned, and to which I have
udal right. They have not been content with this, but have taken to
themselves also the properties of all our relations who are descended
from Harald Harfager. To some they have left little, to others nothing
at all. Now I will disclose to you what I have long concealed in my own
mind, that I intend to take the heritage of my forefathers; but I will
not wait upon the Danish or Swedish king to supplicate the least thing
from them, although they for the time call that their property which was
Harald Harfager's heritage. To say the truth, I intend rather to seek
my patrimony with battle-axe and sword, and that with the help of all
my friends and relations, and of those who in this business will take my
side. And in this matter I will so lay hand to the work that one of two
things shall happen,--either I shall lay all this kingdom under my rule
which they got into their hands by the slaughter of my kinsman Olaf
Trygvason, or I shall fall here upon my inheritance in the land of my
fathers. Now I expect of thee, Sigurd, my stepfather, as well as
other men here in the country who have udal right of succession to the
kingdom, according to the law made by King Harald Harfager, that nothing
shall be of such importance to you as to prevent you from throwing off
the disgrace from our family of being slow at supporting the man who
comes forward to raise up again our race. But whether ye show any
manhood in this affair or not, I know the inclination of the people
well,--that all want to be free from the slavery of foreign masters,
and will give aid and strength to the attempt. I have not proposed
this matter to any before thee, because I know thou art a man of
understanding, and can best judge how this my purpose shall be brought
forward in the beginning, and whether we shall, in all quietness, talk
about it to a few persons, or instantly declare it to the people at
large. I have already shown my teeth by taking prisoner the Earl Hakon,
who has now left the country, and given me, under oath, the part of the
kingdom which he had before; and I think it will be easier to have
Earl Svein alone to deal with, than if both were defending the country
against us."
King Sigurd answers, "It is no small affair, King Olaf, thou hast in thy
mind; and thy purpose comes more, methinks, from hasty pride than from
prudence. But it may be there is a wide difference between my humble
ways and the high thoughts thou hast; for whilst yet in thy childhood
thou wast full always of ambition and desire of command, and now thou
art experienced in battles, and hast formed thyself upon the manner of
foreign chiefs. I know therefore well, that as thou hast taken this into
thy head, it is useless to dissuade thee from it; and also it is not
to be denied that it goes to the heart of all who have courage in them,
that the whole Harfager race and kingdom should go to the ground. But
I will not bind myself by any promise, before I know the views and
intentions of other Upland kings; but thou hast done well in letting
me know thy purpose, before declaring it publicly to the people. I will
promise thee, however, my interest with the kings, and other chiefs, and
country people; and also, King Olaf, all my property stands to thy
aid, and to strengthen thee. But we will only produce the matter to the
community so soon as we see some progress, and expect some strength to
this undertaking; for thou canst easily perceive that it is a daring
measure to enter into strife with Olaf the Swedish king, and Canute, who
is king both of Denmark and England; and thou requirest great support
under thee, if it is to succeed. It is not unlikely, in my opinion, that
thou wilt get good support from the people, as the commonalty always
loves what is new; and it went so before, when Olaf Trygvason came here
to the country, that all rejoiced at it, although he did not long enjoy
the kingdom."
When the consultation had proceeded so far, Asta took up the word. "For
my part, my son, I am rejoiced at thy arrival, but much more at thy
advancing thy honour. I will spare nothing for that purpose that stands
in my power, although it be but little help that can be expected from
me. But if a choice could be made, I would rather that thou shouldst be
the supreme king of Norway, even if thou shouldst not sit longer in
thy kingdom than Olaf Trygvason did, than that thou shouldst not be a
greater king than Sigurd Syr is, and die the death of old age." With
this the conference closed. King Olaf remained here a while with all his
men. King Sigurd entertained them, day about, the one day with fish and
milk, the other day with flesh-meat and ale.