Now we must again take up our story where we left it,--that Erling
and his son Skjalg held a council on this affair, and according to
the resolution of Erling, and of Skjalg and his other sons, it was
determined to assemble a force and send out message-tokens. A great
multitude of people accordingly came together. They got ready with all
speed, rigged their ships, and when they reckoned upon their force they
found they had nearly 1500 men. With this war-force they set off, and
came on Sunday to Augvaldsnes on Karmt Island. They went straight up to
the house with all the men, and arrived just as the Scripture lesson was
read. They went directly to the church, took Asbjorn, and broke off
his chains. At the tumult and clash of arms all who were outside of the
church ran into it; but they who were in the church looked all towards
them, except the king, who stood still, without looking around him.
Erling and his sons drew up their men on each side of the path which led
from the church to the hall, and Erling with his sons stood next to the
hall. When high mass was finished the king went immediately out of the
church, and first went through the open space between the ranks drawn
up, and then his retinue, man by man; and as he came to the door Erling
placed himself before the door, bowed to the king, and saluted him. The
king saluted him in return, and prayed God to help him. Erling took up
the word first, and said, "My relation, Asbjorn, it is reported to me,
has been guilty of misdemeanor, king; and it is a great one, if he has
done anything that incurs your displeasure. Now I am come to entreat for
him peace, and such penalties as you yourself may determine; but that
thereby he redeem life and limb, and his remaining here in his native
land."
The king replies, "It appears to me, Erling, that thou thinkest the case
of Asbjorn is now in thy own power, and I do not therefore know why thou
speakest now as if thou wouldst offer terms for him. I think thou hast
drawn together these forces because thou are determined to settle what
is between us."
Erling replies, "Thou only, king, shalt determine, and determine so that
we shall be reconciled."
The king: "Thinkest thou, Erling, to make me afraid? And art thou come
here in such force with that expectation? No, that shall not be; and if
that be thy thought, I must in no way turn and fly."
Erling replies, "Thou hast no occasion to remind me how often I have
come to meet thee with fewer men than thou hadst. But now I shall not
conceal what lies in my mind, namely, that it is my will that we now
enter into a reconciliation; for otherwise I expect we shall never meet
again." Erling was then as red as blood in the face.
Now Bishop Sigurd came forward to the king and said, "Sire, I entreat
you on God Almighty's account to be reconciled with Erling according to
his offer,--that the man shall retain life and limb, but that thou shalt
determine according to thy pleasure all the other conditions."