at hand when here was his own thrall. Olaf looked curiously at the man.
“Dost thou know where the Jarl Haakon is? If thou wilt tell me, I will give thee full gold.”
“How much gold?” anxiously asked the thrall.
“How certain are thy tidings?” answered the king smiling.
There was a pause. Olaf was looking steadily at the thrall, who seemed to be growing blacker and surlier. Thore Klakka was terrified at the evident intention of the thrall to betray his master, and the steward thought quickly as he waited. Father Meilge looked in horror at the wretched thrall. A presentiment of the repulsive revelation of that ungainly bundle entered the priest’s keen mind. Thore’s thoughts came fast, for the suddenness and enthusiasm with which the Norsemen had accepted the great viking as their king had upset all his plans. Now he eagerly desired to find Earl Haakon, for he and the overlord were so united in their interests that he would urge Earl Haakon to submit to King Olaf. Thore believed that Olaf was generous enough to pardon Earl Haakon. Then he and the earl could return to Hlade to enjoy their wealth. Thore had no prospect so desirable as serving Earl Haakon; and if the earl lost power and wealth at once, how would he himself fare? So the steward began to plan for an advantageous submission to the new king. With Erlend dead and Earl Erik in the South, Earl Haakon
