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they could。 They told nobody about the murder； but wherever they came called themselves king's men； and met good entertainment everywhere。 One day at last they came towards evening to Giske Isle； to Thorberg Arnason's house。 He was not at home himself； but his wife Ragnhild； a daughter of Erling Skjalgson； was。 There Stein was well received； because formerly there had been great friendship between them。 It had once happened； namely； that Stein； on his voyage from Iceland with his own vessel； had come to Giske from sea； and had anchored at the island。 At that time Ragnhild was in the pains of childbirth； and very ill； and there was no priest on the island； or in the neighbourhood of it。 There came a message to the merchant…vessel to inquire if； by chance； there was a priest on board。 There happened to be a priest in the vessel； who was called Bard； but he was a young man from Westfjord； who had little learning。 The messengers begged the priest to go with them； but he thought it was a difficult matter： for he knew his own ignorance； and would not go。 Stein added his word to persuade the priest。 The priest replies； 〃I will go if thou wilt go with me； for then I will have confidence； if I should require advice。〃 Stein said he was willing； and they went forthwith to the house； and to where Ragnhild was in labour。 Soon after she brought forth a female child； which appeared to be rather weak。 Then the priest baptized the infant； and Stein held it at the baptism； at which it got the name of Thora； and Stein gave it a gold ring。 Ragnhild promised Stein her perfect friendship； and bade him come to her whenever he thought he required her help。 Stein replied that he would hold no other female child at baptism； and then they parted。 Now it was come to the time when Stein required this kind promise of Ragnhild to be fulfilled； and he told her what had happened； and that the king's wrath had fallen upon him。 She answered； that all the aid she could give should stand at his service； but bade him wait for Thorberg's arrival。 She then showed him to a seat beside her son Eystein Orre； who was then twelve years old。 Stein presented gifts to Ragnhild and Eystein。 Thorberg had already heard how Stein had conducted himself before he got home； and was rather vexed at it。 Ragnhild went to him； and told him how matters stood with Stein； and begged Thorberg to receive him； and take care of him。
Thorberg replies； 〃I have heard that the king； after sending out a message…token； held a Thing concerning the murder of Thorgeir； and has condemned Stein as having fled the country； and likewise that the king is highly incensed： and I have too much sense to take the cause of a foreigner in hand； and draw upon myself the king's wrath。 Let Stein； therefore； withdraw from hence as quickly as thou canst。〃
Ragnhild replied； that they should either both go or both stay。
Thorberg told her to go where she pleased。 〃For I expect；〃 said he； 〃that wherever thou goest thou wilt soon come back； for here is thy importance greatest。〃
Her son Eystein Orre then stood forward； and said he would not stay behind if Ragnhild goes。
Thorberg said that they showed themselves very 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。〃
Ragnhild 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 （A。D。 1027）。
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 Fin； told him the circumstances； and asked him to accompany him。 Fin 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 Arnason； 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； without necessity； as to incur the king's indignation。 It might be excused if it were thy relation or foster…brother whom thou hadst thus sheltered； but not at all that thou shouldst take up an Iceland man； and harbour the king's outlaw； to the injury of thyself and all thy relations。〃
Thorberg replies； 〃It stands good； according to the proverb； a rotten branch will be found in every tree。 My father's greatest misfortune evidently was that he had such ill luck in producing sons that at last he produced one incapable of acting； and without any resemblance to our race； and whom in truth I never would have called brother； if it were not that it would have been to my mother's shame to have refused。〃
Thorberg turned away in a gloomy temper； and went home。 Thereafter he sent a message to his brother Kalf in the Throndhjem district； and begged him to meet him at Agdanes； and when the messengers found Kalf he promised； without more ado； to make the journey。 Ragnhild sent men east to Jadar to her father Erling； and begged him to send people。 Erling's sons； Sigurd and Thord； came out； each with a ship of twenty benches of rowers and ninety men。 When they came north Thorberg received them joyfully； entertained them well； and prepared for the voyage with them。 Thorberg had also a vessel with twenty benches； and they steered their course northwards。 When they came to the mouth of the Throndhjem fjord Thorberg's two brothers； Fin and Arne； were there already； with two ships each of twenty benches。 Thorberg met his brothers with joy； and observed that his whetstone had taken effect； and Fin replied he seldom needed sharpening for such work。 Then they proceeded north with all their forces to Throndhjem； and Stein was along with them。 When they came to Agdanes； Kaff Arnason was there before them； and he also had a wellmanned ship of twenty benches。 With this war…force they sailed up to Nidaros； where they lay all night。 The morning 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 Fin and Arne also concurred。 It was accordingly resolved that Fin and Arne； with a few men； sh