Audunn answered: I am an Icelander, my Lord, and I came lately from Greenland, and now from Norway, intending to bring you this white bear. I gave all I had for him, but I have had a serious setback, so now I only own half of the beast.—Then Audunn told the King what had happened between him and the steward, Aki.
The King asked: Is that true, what he says, Aki?
True it is, said Aki.
The King said: And did you think it proper, seeing that I had placed you in a high position, to let and hinder a man who had taken it on himself to bring me a precious gift, for which he had given all he had? King Haraldr saw fit to let him go his way in peace, and he is no friend of ours. Think, then, how far this was honest on your part. It would be just to have you put to death, but I will not do that now; you must rather leave this land at once, and never come into my sight again. But to you, Audunn, I owe the same gratitude as if you were giving me the whole of the bear, so now stay here with me.
Audunn accepted the invitation and stayed with King Sveinn for a while.
II
After some time had passed Audunn said to the King: I desire to go away now, my Lord.
The King answered rather coldly: What do you want to do then, since you do not wish to stay with us?
Audunn answered: I wish to go south on a pilgrimage.
If you had not such a good end before you, said the King, I should be vexed at your desire to go away.