Afterwards, when winter was advanced, it was told the king that the
people of the interior of Throndhjem had assembled in great number at
Maerin, and that there was a great sacrifice in the middle of winter,
at which they sacrificed offerings for peace and a good season. Now
when the king knew this on good authority to be true, he sent men and
messages into the interior, and summoned the bondes whom he thought
of most understanding into the town. The bondes held a council among
themselves about this message; and all those who had been upon the same
occasion in the beginning of winter were now very unwilling to make
the journey. Olver, however, at the desire of all the bondes, allowed
himself to be persuaded. When he came to the town he went immediately
before the king, and they talked together. The king made the same
accusation against the bondes, that they had held a mid-winter
sacrifice. Olver replies, that this accusation against the bondes was
false. "We had," said he, "Yule feasts and drinking feasts wide
around in the districts; and the bondes do not prepare their feasts so
sparingly, sire, that there is not much left over, which people consume
long afterwards. At Maerin there is a great farm, with a large house on
it, and a great neighbourhood all around it, and it is the great delight
of the people to drink many together in company." The king said little
in reply, but looked angry, as he thought he knew the truth of the
matter better than it was now represented. He ordered the bondes to
return home. "I shall some time or other," said he, "come to the truth
of what you are now concealing, and in such a way that ye shall not be
able to contradict it. But, however, that may be, do not try such things
again." The bondes returned home, and told the result of their journey,
and that the king was altogether enraged.