Þorvarðs þáttr krákunefs

There was a man named Thorvard, called Crow-Nose, a Westfjords man by descent, wealthy and of good character. He travelled widely between lands and was well received wherever he went. One summer he sailed his ship north to Nidaros, where King Harald was in town, along with Eystein Orri, his son-in-law, son of Thorberg Arnason, who was the bravest of men and most honoured by the king.

Thorvard unloaded his ship and rented quarters. Then he went to meet King Harald, who was drinking. He came up toward the hall, but the king was outside. As he was about to go in, Thorvard said:

“Greetings, lord. I have a sail on my ship that I would like you to accept.”

The king, somewhat frowning, said:

“Once I accepted a sail from you Icelanders, and suspected it would bring me trouble. It split apart while sailing, and I do not wish to accept another.”

Eystein said:

“Go on, lord, and have a look. It may seem fine to us. You are more likely to accept things of lesser worth than what he chose for you.”

The king replied:

“I know what is best for me, and you for yourself,”

and then turned into the hall, and nothing more could be said to him.

Thorvard then asked Eystein to accept the sail. “Come with me,” he said.

Eystein did so and thought he had never seen a finer treasure in a single sail. He thanked him warmly for the gift and invited him to visit that winter and see his estate in Nordmaeri on Gizka.

Winter passed quietly. When spring came, Thorvard prepared his ship and sailed south along the coast from Solskel, and there they put out to sea. One day they saw a ship racing past them, fully manned at every post. Standing in the stern was a handsome and accomplished man, dressed in a red scarlet tunic. He asked whether Thorvard was aboard. Thorvard answered and welcomed Eystein warmly.

Eystein said:

“You took your time coming to visit me. Come aboard with us now, with as many men as you wish, for the wind is not favourable.”

He did so, taking a few men with him, and they rowed to the island of Gizka. There he was warmly received, and a great feast was prepared. The buildings there were large and fine.

As evening passed and night wore on toward morning, Thorvard woke and saw that Eystein was already up. He said, “The weather is not favourable. Stay with us today and let me keep an eye on it for you, and you shall not sit here and let the fair wind pass you by.”

Later that day, when they had been drinking and were in good spirits, Eystein said, “Because you left your ship ready and came here home with me, accept this tunic from me.”

It was richly embroidered and cut from fresh scarlet cloth. Thorvard thanked him for the gift.

Eystein said:

“This will not be the payment for the sail.”

They spent the day there, with no lack of good drink. The next morning Eystein said:

“You shall stay today, for there is no wind.”

Thorvard replied:

“You may see to that.”

More drink and festivity was brought out, and then Eystein had a cloak carried un. It was of wholly grey fur, worked with the greatest skill, and had a scarlet mantle over it. Eystein said:

“This cloak you shall accept, and with that the sail is repaid. For just as that sail surpasses most sails, so does this cloak surpass most others.”

Thorvard thanked him well for the gift.

During the night Thorvard slept, and early in the morning he was awakened. Eystein had come and said:

“You must not delay now, for a fair wind has risen.”

They ate breakfast and drank before departing. Then Eystein said:

“The king did not accept your sail, but I believe that if he had, he would have repaid it as I have. Still, you have not received any reward from him, and I cannot alter that, though I am of lower rank. But because of the difference in our stations, you shall accept this gold ring,”

and drew it from his hand. Thorvard thanked him for the ring, and afterwards they went to the ship. They got a good wind, and he sailed out to Iceland and became a man of great standing.

Now that summer, when King Harald and Eystein were sailing along the coast, Eystein’s ship ran ahead. Then the king said, “Where did you get that fine sail you have?”

Eystein answered, “This is the sail you refused, lord.”

The king said, “I have never seen a better sail, and have declined something fine.”

Eystein said, “Shall we bring the ships alongside each other, lord?”

The king smiled and said, “Why not?” and then stepped up beside the mast.

Eystein said, “Do not put yourself to shame, and take whichever sail you prefer. It is only right that you should know what you refused.”

The king thanked him and set that sail on his ship, and it did not fall behind the royal vessel in the race, though the king’s ship was the larger. Yet it was thought to be the greatest of treasures.