The chiefs in Norway had their spies east in Svithjod, and south in
Denmark, to find out if King Olaf had come from Russia. As soon as these
men could get across the country, they heard the news that King Olaf was
arrived in Svithjod; and as soon as full certainty of this was obtained,
the war message-token went round the land. The whole people were called
out to a levy, and a great army was collected. The lendermen who were
from Agder, Rogaland, and Hordaland, divided themselves, so that some
went towards the north, and some towards the east; for they thought they
required people on both sides. Erling's sons from Jadar went eastward,
with all the men who lived east of them, and over whom they were chiefs;
Aslak of Finey, and Erlend of Gerde, with the lendermen north of them,
went towards the north. All those now named had sworn an oath to King
Canute to deprive Olaf of life, if opportunity should offer.