King Olaf made ready in spring (A.D. 1027) to leave Nidaros, and many
people were assembled about him, both from Throndhjem and the Northern
country; and when he was ready he proceeded first with his men to More,
where he gathered the men of the levy, and did the same at Raumsdal. He
went from thence to South More. He lay a long time at the Herey Isles
waiting for his forces; and he often held House-things, as many reports
came to his ears about which he thought it necessary to hold councils.
In one of these Things he made a speech, in which he spoke of the loss
he suffered from the Farey islanders. "The scat which they promised me,"
he said, "is not forthcoming; and I now intend to send men thither after
it." Then he proposed to different men to undertake this expedition; but
the answer was, that all declined the adventure.
Then there stood up a stout and very remarkable looking man in the
Thing. He was clad in a red kirtle, had a helmet on his head, a sword
in his belt, and a large halberd in his hands. He took up the word and
said, "In truth here is a great want of men. Ye have a good king; but ye
are bad servants who say no to this expedition he offers you, although
ye have received many gifts of friendship and tokens of honour from him.
I have hitherto been no friend of the king, and he has been my enemy,
and says, besides, that he has good grounds for being so. Now, I offer,
sire, to go upon this expedition, if no better will undertake it."
The king answers, "Who is this brave man who replies to my offer? Thou
showest thyself different from the other men here present, in offering
thyself for this expedition from which they excuse themselves, although
I expected they would willingly have undertaken it; but I do not know
thee in the least, and do not know thy name."
He replies, "My name, sire, is not difficult to know, and I think thou
hast heard my name before. I am Karl Morske."
The king--"So this is Karl! I have indeed heard thy name before; and, to
say the truth, there was a time when our meeting must have been such, if
I had had my will; that thou shouldst not have had to tell it now. But
I will not show myself worse than thou, but will join my thanks and my
favour to the side of the help thou hast offered me. Now thou shalt come
to me, Karl, and be my guest to-day; and then we shall consult together
about this business." Karl said it should be so.