For their fellowship and love were so strong, that each determined he would not prolong his days when the other was cut off by death.
After this Frode gathered together a host of all his subject nations, and attacked Norway with his fleet, Erik being bidden to lead the land force.

For, after the fashion of human greed, the more he gained the more he wanted, and would not suffer even the dreariest and most rugged region of the world to escape this kind of attack; so much is increase of wealth wont to encourage covetousness.

So the Norwegians, casting away all hope of self-defence, and losing all confidence in their power to revolt, began to flee for the most part to Halogaland.

The maiden Stikla also withdrew from her country to save her chastity, proferring the occupations of war to those of wedlock.
Meanwhile Aswid died of an illness, and was consigned with his horse and dog to a cavern in the earth.

And Asmund, because of his oath of friendship, had the courage to be buried with him, food being put in for him to eat.
Now just at this time Erik, who had crossed the uplands with his army, happened to draw near the barrow of Aswid; and the Swedes, thinking that treasures were in it, broke the hill open with mattocks, and saw disclosed a cave deeper than they had thought.