Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/225

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 217 Thorberg said that they showed themselves very sagavi* stiff and obstinate in this matter. " And it appears that ye must have your way in it, since ye take it so near to heart ; but thou art reckoning too much, Ragnhild, upon thy descent, in paying so little regard to King Olaf 's word." Eagnhild replied, " If thou art so much afraid to keep Stein with thee here, go with him to my father Erling, or give him attendants, so that he may get there in safety." Thorberg said he would not send Stein there ; " for there are enough of things besides to enrage the king against Erling." Stein thus remained there all winter. After Yule a king's messenger came to Thorberg, with the order that Thorberg should come to him before midsummer; and the order was serious and severe. Thorberg laid it before his friends, and asked their advice if he should venture to go to the king after what had taken place. The greater number dissuaded him, and thought it more advisable to let Stein slip out of his hands than to venture within the king's power; but Thorberg himself had rather more inclination not to decline the journey. Soon after Thorberg went to his brother Finn, told him the circumstances, and asked him to accompany him. Finn replied, that he thought it foolish to be so completely under woman's influence that he dared not, on account of his wife, keep the fealty and law of his sovereign. " Thou art free," replied Thorberg, " to go with me or not ; but I believe it is more fear of the king than love to him that keeps thee back." And so they parted in anger. Then Thorberg went to his brother Arne Arneson, and asked him to go with him to the king. Arne says, " It appears to me wonderful that such a sensible, prudent man, should fall into such a misfortune, with- out necessity, as to incur the king's indignation. It