They went back, therefore, to Sveinke, and told him the king's words;
and also that the king had ordered him out of the country, and he should
show his obedience, since he had forgotten himself towards the king.
"It is for the honour of both that thou shouldst show obedience to the
king."
Then Sveinke said, "There must be some great change if the king speaks
agreeably to me; but why should I fly the country and my properties?
Listen now to what I say. It appears to me better to die upon my
property than to fly from my udal estates. Tell the king that I will not
stir from them even an arrow-flight."
Kolbjorn replied, "This is scarcely prudent, or right; for it is
better for one's own honour to give way to the best chief, than to make
opposition to one's own loss. A gallant man succeeds wheresoever he
goes; and thou wilt be the more respected wheresoever thou art, with men
of power, just because thou hast made head so boldly against so powerful
a chief. Hear our promises, and pay some attention to our errand. We
offer thee to manage thy estates, and take them faithfully under our
protection; and also never, against thy will, to pay scat for thy land
until thou comest back. We will pledge our lives and properties upon
this. Do not throw away good counsel from thee, and avoid thus the ill
fortune of other good men."
Then Sveinke was silent for a short time, and said at last, "Your
endeavours are wise; but I have my suspicions that ye are changing
a little the king's message. In consideration, however, of the great
good-will that ye show me, I will hold your advice in such respect that
I will go out of the country for the whole winter, if, according to your
promises, I can then retain my estates in peace. Tell the king, also,
these my words, that I do this on your account, not on his."
Thereupon they returned to the king, and said, that Sveinke left all in
the king's hands. "But entreats you to have respect to his honour. He
will be away for three years, and then come back, if it be the king's
pleasure. Do this; let all things be done according to what is suitable
for the royal dignity and according to our entreaty, now that the matter
is entirely in thy power, and we shall do all we can to prevent his
returning against thy will."
The king replied, "Ye treat this matter like men, and, for your sakes,
shall all things be as ye desire. Tell him so."
They thanked the king, and then went to Sveinke, and told him the
king's gracious intentions. "We will be glad," said they, "if ye can
be reconciled. The king requires, indeed that thy absence shall be for
three years; but, if we know the truth rightly, we expect that before
that time he will find he cannot do without thee in this part of the
country. It will be to thy own future honour, therefore, to agree to
this."
Sveinke replies, "What condition is better than this? Tell the king that
I shall not vex him longer with my presence here, and accept of my goods
and estates on this condition."
Thereupon he went home with his men, and set off directly; for he had
prepared everything beforehand. Kolbjorn remains behind, and makes
ready a feast for King Magnus, which also was thought of and prepared.
Sveinke, on the other hand, rides up to Gautland with all the men he
thought proper to take with him. The king let himself be entertained in
guest-quarters at his house, returned to Viken, and Sveinke's estates
were nominally the king's, but Kolbjorn had them under his charge. The
king received guest-quarters in Viken, proceeded from thence northwards,
and there was peace for a while; but now that the Elfgrims were without
a chief, marauding gangs infested them, and the king saw this eastern
part of the kingdom would be laid waste. It appeared to him, therefore,
most suitable and advisable to make Sveinke himself oppose the stream,
and twice he sent messages to him. But he did not stir until King Magnus
himself was south in Denmark, when Sveinke and the king met, and made
a full reconciliation; on which Sveinke returned home to his house and
estates, and was afterwards King Magnus's best and trustiest friend,
who strengthened his kingdom on the eastern border; and their friendship
continued as long as they lived.