She was a remarkably handsome girl, and lived in King Olaf's court.It was reported this spring that Alfhild was with child, and the king's confidential friends knew that he was father of the child.It happened one night that Alfhild was taken ill, and only few people were at hand; namely, some women, priests, Sigvat the skald, and a few others.Alfhild was so ill that she was nearly dead; and when she was delivered of a man-child, it was some time before they could discover whether the child was in life.But when the infant drew breath, although very weak, the priest told Sigvat to hasten to the king, and tell him of the event.
He replies, "I dare not on any account waken the king; for he has forbid that any man should break his sleep until he awakens of himself."The priest replies, "It is of necessity that this child be immediately baptized, for it appears to me there is but little life in it."Sigvat said, "I would rather venture to take upon me to let thee baptize the child, than to awaken the king; and I will take it upon myself if anything be amiss, and will give the child a name."They did so; and the child was baptized, and got the name of Magnus.The next morning, when the king awoke and had dressed himself, the circumstance was told him.He ordered Sigvat to be called, and said."How camest thou to be so bold as to have my child baptized before I knew anything about it?"Sigvat replies, "Because I would rather give two men to God than one to the devil."The king -- "What meanest thou?"Sigvat -- "The child was near death, and must have been the devil's if it had died as a heathen, and now it is God's.And Iknew besides that if thou shouldst be so angry on this account that it affected my life, I would be God's also."The king asked, "But why didst thou call him Magnus, which is not a name of our race?"Sigvat -- "I called him after King Carl Magnus, who, I knew, had been the best man in the world."Then said the king, "Thou art a very lucky man, Sigvat; but it is not wonderful that luck should accompany understanding.It is only wonderful how it sometimes happens that luck attends ignorant men, and that foolish counsel turns out lucky." The king was overjoyed at the circumstance.The boy grew up, and gave good promise as he advanced in age.
132.THE MURDER OF ASBJORN SELSBANE.
The same spring (A.D.1024) the king gave into the hands of Asmund Grankelson the half of the sheriffdom of the district of Halogaland, which Harek of Thjotta had formerly held, partly in fief, partly for defraying the king's entertainment in guest-quarters.Asmund had a ship manned with nearly thirty well-armed men.When Asmund came north he met Harek, and told him what the king had determined with regard to the district, and produced to him the tokens of the king's full powers.Harek said, "The king had the right to give the sheriffdom to whom he pleased; but the former sovereigns had not been in use to diminish our rights who are entitled by birth to hold powers from the king, and to give them into the hands of the peasants who never before held such offices." But although it was evident that it was against Harek's inclination, he allowed Asmund to take the sheriffdom according to the king's order.Then Asmund proceeded home to his father, stayed there a short time, and then went north to Halogaland to his sheriffdom; and he came north to Langey Island, where there dwelt two brothers called Gunstein and Karle, both very rich and respectable men.Gunstein, the eldest of the brothers, was a good husbandman.Karle was a handsome man in appearance, and splendid in his dress; and both were, in many respects, expert in all feats.Asmund was well received by them, remained with them a while, and collected such revenues of his sheriffdom as he could get.Karle spoke with Asmund of his wish to go south with him and take service in the court of King Olaf, to which Asmund encouraged him much, promising his influence with the king for obtaining for Karle such a situation as he desired;and Karle accordingly accompanied Asmund.Asmund heard that Asbjorn, who had killed Thorer Sel, had gone to the market-meeting of Vagar with a large ship of burden manned with nearly twenty men, and that he was now expected from the south.Asmund and his retinue proceeded on their way southwards along the coast with a contrary wind, but there was little of it.They saw some of the fleet for Vagar sailing towards them; and they privately inquired of them about Asbjorn, and were told he was upon the way coming from the south.Asmund and Karle were bedfellows, and excellent friends.One day, as Asmund and his people were rowing through a sound, a ship of burden came sailing towards them.The ship was easily known, having high bulwarks, was painted with white and red colours, and coloured cloth was woven in the sail.