Besides the “Long Serpent” the king had another ship, nearly as handsome as the one which he had captured from Raud, and this latter he called the “Short Serpent.” These two magnificent vessels, with over fifty others, commanded by the chieftains of the different shires, made a gallant fleet.
The galleys, headed by the “Long Serpent,” moved to the south and the fleet landed at Wendland. King Burislav, terrified at the sight of all these men of war upon his shore, feigned to forget that Olaf had taken the bride intended for himself, and seemed to remember only their former friendship, when Olaf’s marriage in his early youth to Burislav’s daughter, Geira, made him the son-in-law of the Wendic king. In spite of Burislav’s politic speeches, Olaf insisted upon the restitution of Queen Thyra’s estates, and in fear of the mighty viking and his formidable fleet, King Burislav gave back the queen’s possessions.
After feasting and renewed promises of friendship, Olaf left Wendland. As the “Long Serpent” and her attendant vessels were sailing away, they met, coming towards them, a small fleet. In the leading ship stood Earl Sigvalde; and when within hailing distance, he called out to Olaf:
“My King! I have ventured out to offer my poor help to thy noble ships. The coast of Wendland is is full of danger; and if thou wilt accept my escort, I will gladly be thy pilot. My wife, thy kinswoman, the Lady Aastrid, with the wife of thy faithful scald,
