Bertric and I have drawn sword together against Danes before now, but I do not know whether Malcolm may not owe some fealty to Eric, my half brother.

I am going to try to turn him out of Norway--as men have begged me to do--and I would sooner have you on my side than against me." "Thanks, King Hakon," I answered.

"I have owned no king as yet.

My sword is yours to command; but first I have promised to see Queen Gerda into safety, at least, in Norway, if her home may not be won again for her." Hakon laughed, as if pleased enough.
"I think you have done the first already," he said.

"As for the winning her home afresh, who knows if you may not be in a fair way to do so from this moment?
It is likely." "Hakon does not forget the friends of the house of Harald," Thoralf the Tall said.