Thore Klakka’s heart was full of bitterness. Like his master, he still held to the old Asa faith. What religion he had was a strong belief in the power of the sword, fidelity to one’s friends at some times, to one’s enemy never, and to one’s own interest always. He believed that his own downfall and Jarl Haakon’s defeat were to be directly traced to the king’s defiance of the old gods. Of the Christian priests his hatred seemed to be chiefly directed against Father Meilge; and this hate was deepened because, next to Bishop Sigurd, Father Meilge seemed to be Olaf’s closest adviser. In his disappointment, Thore swore many vows of revenge. “My master Haakon,” he muttered, “stopped not at the slaying of his own son, his tenderest and best beloved, to appease the angry gods, and they gave him victory over the Jomsvikings; then why should I hesitate to cut off the life of yon priest who has so angered our father Thor, that he has swept all luck away from us. We are but poor Norsemen to let these canting Christian priests drive out our strong old gods and hurl us down from our place.”
The morning after Earl Haakon’s death, Thore was standing near the house door. Mass had been celebrated in a tent upon the lawn, and at its conclusion, Father Meilge walked beside the king to the hall where breakfast had been prepared. As they walked along, Thore Klakka caught sight of them. He was leaning against a tree waiting to speak to Olaf.
