‘Do you, with your cohort, cross the rampart and occupy the hill opposite with your archers till we join you.’
Thorgrim and his men did as they were told and crossed over, but when they were across they put their shields on their backs and fled to the ships. When Magnus saw them he shouted:
‘Is it thus you run, you coward? I was a fool to send you instead of Sigurd, who would not thus desert me.’
Magnus fought like a lion, but soon he was pierced through the thigh by a spear. He pulled it out and snapped it beneath his feet, crying:
‘Thus we, young warriors, break these twigs. Fight on bravely, my men, and fear no danger for me.’
His men prayed him to try to spare himself, but he said:
‘Better for a people to have a brave king than an old king!’
And so saying, foremost in the battle, he met his death.