I did not know that so it would be at that time--it is well that one sees not far into things to come--but even now all my home seemed to be with Einar; and that also was not to last long, as things went.

How that came about I must tell, for the end was that I came to Alfred the king.
When we came back to Kirkwall, I told the jarl all that I had done and learned; and grieved for me he was when he heard of my mother's death.

Many things he said to me at that time which made him dearer to me.

Then after a while he spoke of Harald, who, as it seemed, might come at any time.
"We cannot fight Norway," he said, "so we must even flit hence to the mainland and wait until Harald is tired of seeking us.

It is in my mind that he seeks not so much for revenge as for payment of scatt from our islands.