Ingebjorg was particularly kind to them; and Bjorn often spoke with her
about the matter, and was ill at ease that their journey was so long
delayed. Hjalte and the others often spoke together also about the
matter; and Hjalte said; "I will go to the king if ye like; for I am not
a man of Norway, and the Swedes can have nothing to say to me. I
have heard that there are Iceland men in the king's house who are my
acquaintances, and are well treated; namely, the skalds Gissur Black
and Ottar Black. From them I shall get out what I can about the Swedish
king; and if the business will really be so difficult as it now appears,
or if there be any other way of promoting it, I can easily devise some
errand that may appear suitable for me."
This counsel appeared to Bjorn and Ingebjorg to be the wisest, and they
resolved upon it among themselves. Ingebjorg put Hjalte in a position to
travel; gave him two Gautland men with him, and ordered them to follow
him, and assist him with their service, and also to go wherever he might
have occasion to send them. Besides, Ingebjorg gave him twenty marks of
weighed silver money for travelling expenses, and sent word and token by
him to the Swedish king Olaf's daughter, Ingegerd, that she should give
all her assistance to Hjalte's business, whenever he should find himself
under the necessity of craving her help. Hjalte set off as soon as he
was ready. When he came to King Olaf he soon found the skalds Gissur and
Ottar, and they were very glad at his coming. Without delay they went to
the king, and told him that a man was come who was their countryman,
and one of the most considerable in their native land, and requested
the king to receive him well. The king told them to take Hjalte and his
fellow-travellers into their company and quarters. Now when Hjalte had
resided there a short time, and got acquainted with people, he was much
respected by everybody. The skalds were often in the king's house, for
they were well-spoken men; and often in the daytime they sat in front of
the king's high-seat, and Hjalte, to whom they paid the highest respect
in all things, by their side. He became thus known to the king, who
willingly entered into conversation with him, and heard from him news
about Iceland.