On Monday, when King Harald Sigurdson had taken breakfast, he ordered
the trumpets to sound for going on shore. The army accordingly got
ready, and he divided the men into the parties who should go, and who
should stay behind. In every division he allowed two men to land, and
one to remain behind. Earl Toste and his retinue prepared to land with
King Harald; and, for watching the ships, remained behind the king's son
Olaf; the earls of Orkney, Paul and Erlend; and also Eystein Orre, a son
of Thorberg Arnason, who was the most able and best beloved by the king
of all the lendermen, and to whom the king had promised his daughter
Maria. The weather was uncommonly fine, and it was hot sunshine. The men
therefore laid aside their armour, and went on the land only with their
shields, helmets and spears, and girt with swords; and many had also
arrows and bows, and all were very merry. Now as they came near the
castle a great army seemed coming against them, and they saw a cloud
of dust as from horses' feet, and under it shining shields and bright
armour. The king halted his people, and called to him Earl Toste, and
asked him what army this could be. The earl replied that he thought it
most likely to be a hostle army, but possibly it might be some of his
relations who were seeking for mercy and friendship, in order to obtain
certain peace and safety from the king. Then the king said, "We must all
halt, to discover what kind of a force this is." They did so; and the
nearer this force came the greater it appeared, and their shining arms
were to the sight like glancing ice.