Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/227

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 219 to Nidaros, where they lay all night. The morning saga vn after they had a consultation with each other. Kalf and Erling's sons were for attacking the town with all their forces, and leaving the event to fate; but Thorberg wished that they should first proceed with moderation, and make an offer; in which opinion Finn and Arne also concurred. It was accordingly re- solved that Finn and Arne, with a few men, should first wait upon the king. The king had previously heard that they had come so strong in men, and was therefore very sharp in his speech. Finn offered to pay mulct for Thorberg, and also for Stein, and bade the king to fix what the penalties should be, however large ; stipulating only for Thorberg safety and his fiefs, and for Stein life and limb. The king replies, " It appears to me that ye come from home so equipped that ye can determine half as much as I can myself, or more ; but this I expected least of all from you brothers, that ye should come against me with an army : and this counsel, I can observe, has its origin from the people of Jederen ; but ye have no occasion to offer me money in mulct." Finn replies, " We brothers have collected men, not to offer hostility to you, sire, but to offer rather our services ; but if you will bear down Thorberg alto- gether, we must all go to King Canute the Great with such forces as we have." Then the king looked at him, and said, " If ye brothers will give your oaths that ye will follow me in the country and out of the country, and not part from me without my leave and permission, and shall not conceal from me any treasonable design that may come to your knowledge against me, then will I agree to a peace with you brothers." Then Finn returned to his forces, and told the con- ditions which the king had proposed to them. Now they held a council upon it, and Thorberg, for his