There was a man named Sigurd Thoreson, a brother of Thorer Hund of
Bjarkey Island. Sigurd was married to Sigrid Skjalg's daughter, a sister
of Erling. Their son, called Asbjorn, became as he grew up a very
able man. Sigurd dwelt at Omd in Thrandarnes, and was a very rich and
respected man. He had not gone into the king's service; and Thorer in so
far had attained higher dignity than his brother, that he was the king's
lenderman. But at home, on his farm, Sigurd stood in no respect behind
his brother in splendour and magnificence. As long as heathenism
prevailed, Sigurd usually had three sacrifices every year: one on
winter-night's eve, one on mid-winter's eve, and the third in summer.
Although he had adopted Christianity, he continued the same custom with
his feasts: he had, namely, a great friendly entertainment at harvest
time; a Yule feast in winter, to which he invited many; the third feast
he had about Easter, to which also he invited many guests. He continued
this fashion as long as he lived. Sigurd died on a bed of sickness when
Asbjorn was eighteen years old. He was the only heir of his father, and
he followed his father's custom of holding three festivals every year.
Soon after Asbjorn came to his heritage the course of seasons began to
grow worse, and the corn harvests of the people to fail; but Asbjorn
held his usual feasts, and helped himself by having old corn, and an old
provision laid up of all that was useful. But when one year had passed
and another came, and the crops were no better than the year before,
Sigrid wished that some if not all of the feasts should be given up.
That Asbjorn would not consent to, but went round in harvest among his
friends, buying corn where he could get it, and some he received in
presents. He thus kept his feasts this winter also; but the spring after
people got but little seed into the ground, for they had to buy
the seed-corn. Then Sigurd spoke of diminishing the number of their
house-servants. That Asbjorn would not consent to, but held by the old
fashion of the house in all things. In summer (A.D. 1022) it appeared
again that there would be a bad year for corn; and to this came the
report from the south that King Olaf prohibited all export of corn,
malt, or meal from the southern to the northern parts of the country.
Then Asbjorn perceived that it would be difficult to procure what was
necessary for a house-keeping, and resolved to put into the water a
vessel for carrying goods which he had, and which was large enough to
go to sea with. The ship was good, all that belonged to her was of the
best, and in the sails were stripes of cloth of various colours. Asbjorn
made himself ready for a voyage, and put to sea with twenty men. They
sailed from the north in summer; and nothing is told of their voyage
until one day, about the time the days begin to shorten, they came to
Karmtsund, and landed at Augvaldsnes. Up in the island Karmt there is
a large farm, not far from the sea, and a large house upon it called
Augvaldsnes, which was a king's house, with an excellent farm, which
Thorer Sel, who was the king's bailiff, had under his management. Thorer
was a man of low birth, but had swung himself up in the world as an
active man; and he was polite in speech, showy in clothes, and fond
of distinction, and not apt to give way to others, in which he was
supported by the favour of the king. He was besides quick in speech,
straightforward, and free in conversation. Asbjorn, with his company,
brought up there for the night; and in the morning, when it was light,
Thorer went down to the vessel with some men, and inquired who commanded
the splendid ship. Asbjorn named his own and his father's name. Thorer
asks where the voyage was intended for, and what was the errand.
Asbjorn replies, that he wanted to buy corn and malt; saying, as was
true, that it was a very dear time north in the country. "But we are
told that here the seasons are good; and wilt thou, farmer, sell us
corn? I see that here are great corn stacks, and it would be very
convenient if we had not to travel farther."
Thorer replies, "I will give thee the information that thou needst not
go farther to buy corn, or travel about here in Rogaland; for I can tell
thee that thou must turn about, and not travel farther, for the king
forbids carrying corn out of this to the north of the country. Sail back
again, Halogalander, for that will be thy safest course."
Asbjorn replies, "If it be so, bonde, as thou sayest, that we can get
no corn here to buy, I will, notwithstanding, go forward upon my errand,
and visit my family in Sole, and see my relation Erling's habitation."