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276 wife is his kinswoman and is as firm a Christian. For myself, I hold my Jomsvikings together and Olaf Tryggevesson will need to treat us gently. We will brook no show of authority from the king.”

“Thou art not keeping full faith with the king, my Earl Sigvalde,” said Thorgills sternly. “And thy lady is of such fealty.”

“Oh, my Lady Aastrid!” laughed the old earl cynically. “She hath all the virtues in the books of the Christian priests. So many hath she taken there were none left for me. Moreover I am a true Norseman, and when my own welfare needs a blow, I strike no blow for any other man. But I must part with thee here, for I see thou art going toward the palace, and my way no longer lies in that direction. Before I go, I must report to thee that Thore Klakka, the former steward of Jarl Haakon, hath joined my crew of vikings, at our stronghold, at Jomsborg.”

Thorgills walked thoughtfully along after parting with Sigvalde. He was now thoroughly distrustful of the Earl of the Jomsvikings, and Thore Klakka he had never liked. It boded no good to the king when these two were joined together.

One day as Thorgills was walking he met Lady Aastrid. “Ah! Thorgills,” she exclaimed, “where is thy master?”

“Hast thou not heard?” the scald answered, his face beaming.

“What good news is there of King Olaf? Tell