And I doubt not that all may deny this counsel, because few, methinks, know themselves guiltless,
were the truth to come out. Now this is my counsel, O king, that thou keep Thorolf near thee, and let
him be in thy guard, and bear thy standard, and be in the forecastle of thy ship; for this duty no man is
fitter. Or if thou wilt have him to be a baron, then give him a grant southwards in the Firths, where are
all his family: thou mayest then keep an eye on him, that he make not himself too great for thee. But
the business here in Halogaland put thou into the hands of men who are moderate and will serve thee
faithfully, and have kinsfolk here, men whose relatives have had the same work here before. We two
brothers are ready and willing for such service as thou wilt use us in; our father long had the king’s
business here, and it prospered in his hands. It is difficult, O king, to place men as managers here,
because thou wilt seldom come hither thyself. The strength of the land is too little to need thy coming
with an army, yet thou must not come hither again with few followers, for there are here many disloyal
people.’

The king was very angry at these words, but he spoke quietly, as was always his wont when he heard
tidings of great import. He asked whether Thorolf were at home at Torgar. Harek said this was not
likely.

’Thorolf,’ said he, ’is too wise to be in the way of thy followers, O king, for he must guess that all will
not be so close but thou wilt get to know these things. He went north to Alost as soon as he heard that
thou wert on thy way south.’

The king spoke little about this matter before other men; but it was easy to see that he inclined to
believe the words that had been spoken.

After this the king went his way, Hildirida’s sons giving him honourable escort with gifts at parting,
while he promised them his friendship. The brothers made themselves an errand into Naumdale, and
so went round about as to cross the king’s path now and again; he always received their words well.

Chapter 13 - Thorgils goes to the king.
There was a man named Thorgils Yeller, a house-carle of Thorolf’s, honoured above all the rest of his
household; he had followed Thorolf in his roving voyages as fore-castle man and standard-bearer. He
had been in Hafr’s Firth, in the fleet of king Harold, and was then steering the very ship that Thorolf
had used in his roving. Thorgils was strong of body and right bold of heart; the king had bestowed on
him friendly gifts after the battle, and promised him his friendship. Thorgils was manager at Torgar,
and bore rule there when Thorolf was not at home.

Before Thorolf went away this time he had counted over all the king’s tribute that he had brought from
the fells, and he put it in Thorgils’ hand, bidding him convey it to the king, if he himself came not
home before the king returned south. So Thorgils made ready a large ship of burden belonging to
Thorolf, and put the tribute on board, and taking about twenty men sailed southward after the king,
and found him in Naumdale.

But when Thorgils met the king he gave him greeting from Thorolf, and said that he was come thither
with the Finns’ tribute sent by Thorolf. The king looked at him, but answered never a word, and all
saw that he was angry. Thorgils then went away, thinking to find a better time to speak with the king;
he sought Aulvir Hnuf, and told him what had passed, and asked him if he knew what was the matter.