It so happened once, that King Sigurd sat in a gloomy mood among many
worthy men. It was Friday evening, and the kitchen-master asked what
meat should be made ready.
The king replies, "What else but flesh-meat?" And so harsh were his
words that nobody dared to contradict him, and all were ill at ease.
Now when people prepared to go to table, dishes of warm flesh-meat were
carried in; but all were silent, and grieved at the king's illness.
Before the blessing was pronounced over the meat, a man called Aslak
Hane spoke. He had been a long time with King Sigurd on his journey
abroad, and was not a man of any great family; and was small of stature,
but fiery. When he perceived how it was, and that none dared to accost
the king, he asked, "What is it, sire, that is smoking on the dish
before you?"