Then Asbjorn perceived that it would be difficult to procure what was necessary for a house-keeping, and resolved to put into the water a vessel for carrying goods which he had, and which was large enough to go to sea with.The ship was good, all that belonged to her was of the best, and in the sails were stripes of cloth of various colours.Asbjorn made himself ready for a voyage, and put to sea with twenty men.They sailed from the north in summer; and nothing is told of their voyage until one day, about the time the days begin to shorten, they came to Karmtsund, and landed at Augvaldsnes.Up in the island Karmt there is a large farm, not far from the sea, and a large house upon it called Augvaldsnes, which was a king's house, with an excellent farm, which Thorer Sel, who was the king's bailiff, had under his management.Thorer was a man of low birth, but had swung himself up in the world as an active man; and he was polite in speech, showy in clothes, and fond of distinction, and not apt to give way to others, in which he was supported by the favour of the king.He was besides quick in speech, straightforward, and free in conversation.Asbjorn, with his company, brought up there for the night; and in the morning, when it was light, Thorer went down to the vessel with some men, and inquired who commanded the splendid ship.Asbjorn named his own and his father's name.Thorer asks where the voyage was intended for, and what was the errand.
Asbjorn replies, that he wanted to buy corn and malt; saying, as was true, that it was a very dear time north in the country.
"But we are told that here the seasons are good; and wilt thou, farmer, sell us corn? I see that here are great corn stacks, and it would be very convenient if we had not to travel farther."Thorer replies, "I will give thee the information that thou needst not go farther to buy corn, or travel about here in Rogaland; for I can tell thee that thou must turn about, and not travel farther, for the king forbids carrying corn out of this to the north of the country.Sail back again, Halogalander, for that will be thy safest course."Asbjorn replies, "If it be so, bonde, as thou sayest, that we can get no corn here to buy, I will, notwithstanding, go forward upon my errand, and visit my family in Sole, and see my relation Erling's habitation."Thorer: "How near is thy relationship to Erling?"Asbjorn: "My mother is his sister."Thorer: "It may be that I have spoken heedlessly, if so be that thou art sister's son of Erling."Thereupon Asbjorn and his crew struck their tents, and turned the ship to sea.Thorer called after them."A good voyage, and come here again on your way back." Asbjorn promised to do so, sailed away, and came in the evening to Jadar.Asbjorn went on shore with ten men; the other ten men watched the ship.When Asbjorn came to the house he was very well received, and Erling was very glad to see him, placed him beside himself, and asked him all the news in the north of the country.Asbjorn concealed nothing of his business from him; and Erling said it happened unfortunately that the king had just forbid the sale of corn."And I know no man here." says he, "who has courage to break the king's order, and I find it difficult to keep well with the king, so many are trying to break our friendship."Asbjorn replies, "It is late before we learn the truth.In my childhood I was taught that my mother was freeborn throughout her whole descent, and that Erling of Sole was her boldest relation;and now I hear thee say that thou hast not the freedom, for the king's slaves here in Jadar, to do with thy own corn what thou pleasest."Erling looked at him, smiled through his teeth, and said, "Ye Halogalanders know less of the king's power than we do here; but a bold man thou mayst be at home in thy conversation.Let us now drink, my friend, and we shall see tomorrow what can be done in thy business."They did so, and were very merry all the evening.The following day Erling and Asbjorn talked over the matter again, and Erling said."I have found out a way for you to purchase corn, Asbjorn.
It is the same thing to you whoever is the seller." He answered that he did not care of whom he bought the corn, if he got a good right to his purchase.Erling said."It appears to me probable that my slaves have quite as much corn as you require to buy; and they are not subject to law, or land regulation, like other men."Asbjorn agreed to the proposal.The slaves were now spoken to about the purchase, and they brought forward corn and malt, which they sold to Asbjorn, so that he loaded his vessel with what he wanted.When he was ready for sea Erling followed him on the road, made him presents of friendship, and they took a kind farewell of each other.Asbjorn got a good breeze, landed in the evening at Karmtsund, near to Augvaldsnes, and remained there for the night.Thorer Sel had heard of Asbjorn's voyage, and also that his vessel was deeply laden.Thorer summoned people to him in the night, so that before daylight he had sixty men; and with these he went against Asbjorn as soon as it was light, and went out to the ship just as Asbjorn and his men were putting on their clothes.Asbjorn saluted Thorer, and Thorer asked what kind of goods Asbjorn had in the vessel.
He replied, "Corn and malt."
Thorer said, "Then Erling is doing as he usually does, and despising the king's orders, and is unwearied in opposing him in all things, insomuch that it is wonderful the king suffers it."Thorer went on scolding in this way, and when he was silent Asbjorn said that Erling's slaves had owned the corn.
Thorer replied hastily, that he did not regard Erling's tricks.
