EARL VALTHIÓF’S DEATH.
WHEN Swein and Margad had left Lambaborg,[366] those that were in the
fort resolved to surrender it to Earl Rögnvald. He asked them what they
knew last of Swein and Margad, and they told the truth.
When the Earl heard it, he said: “To tell the truth, Swein has no equal
among those that are now with us, and such feats are both brave and
hardy; but I will not abuse my power over you, although you were
involved in these troubles with Swein. Every one of you shall go home in
peace as far as I am concerned.”
The Earl went home to the Orkneys, and sent Thorbiörn Klerk in a ship
with forty men south to Breidafiord (the Moray Firth), to search for
Swein; but he heard nothing of him.
Thorbiörn then said to his men: “Our journey is a strange one; we are
all this time wandering after Swein, but I have heard that Earl
Valthióf, who slew my father,[367] is not far off, with but a few men;
and if you will attack him with me, I will promise you that I shall not
act as Swein did—namely, to deprive you of your share if we get any
booty, for you shall have all we get, except what you wish to give me,
because I think glory is better than booty.”
Then they went to the place where Earl Valthióf was at a banquet, and
surprised them in the house, and set it on fire immediately. Valthióf
and his men ran to the door, and asked who was the raiser of the fire.
Thorbiörn told his name. Valthióf offered compensation for Thorstein’s
slaying, but Thorbiörn said it was useless to ask for peace. They
defended themselves bravely for a time; but when the fire pressed them
they ran out; after that their defence was short, because the fire had
overcome them. Earl Valthióf fell, and thirty men with him. Thorbiörn
and his men got a great deal of booty, and he kept all his promises to
them faithfully. Then they went to the Orkneys to Earl Rögnvald, who was
well satisfied with what they had done. Then there was peace and quiet
in the Islands.
At that time a young man lived in the Islands,[368] by name Kolbein
Hruga (heap), a very overbearing man; he built a fine stone castle,[369]
which was a strong defence. Kolbein’s wife was Herbiörg, the sister of
Hákon Barn (child), but their mother was the daughter of Herborg, Paul’s
daughter. Their children were Kolbein Karl, Bjarni Skáld, Sumarlidi,
Aslák, and Frída; they were all well mannered.