The king said, "My doom is soon delivered.He shall fly the country, and never come back to Norway as long as the kingdom is mine; and he shall leave all his goods behind.""But will it not be more for thy honour," said Kolbjorn, "and give thee a higher reputation among other kings, if, in banishing him from the country, thou shouldst allow him to keep his property, and show himself among other people? And we shall take care that he never comes back while we live.Consider of this, sire, by yourself, and have respect for our assurance."The king replied, "Let him then go forth immediately."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.
9.KING MAGNUS MAKES WAR ON THE SOUTHERN HEBUDES.
King Magnus undertook an expedition out of the country, with many fine men and a good assortment of shipping.With this armament he sailed out into the West sea, and first came to the Orkney Islands.There he took the two earls, Paul and Erlend, prisoners, and sent them east to Norway, and placed his son Sigurd as chief over the islands, leaving some counsellors to assist him.From thence King Magnus, with his followers, proceeded to the Southern Hebudes, and when he came there began to burn and lay waste the inhabited places, killing the people and plundering wherever he came with his men; and the country people fled in all directions, some into Scotland-fjord, others south to Cantire, or out to Ireland; some obtained life and safety by entering into his service.So says Bjorn Krephende: --"In Lewis Isle with fearful blaze The house-destroying fire plays;To hills and rocks the people fly, Fearing all shelter but the sky.
In Uist the king deep crimson made The lightning of his glancing blade;The peasant lost his land and life Who dared to bide the Norseman's strife.
The hunger battle-birds were filled In Skye with blood of foemen killed, And wolves on Tyree's lonely shore Dyed red their hairy jaws in gore.
