he looked into his uncle's face and added: "Do not fear, hersir.
Klerkon shall not take me from you."

Now, very soon after Sigurd had gone out to attend upon the king,
Olaf quitted the house and went by secret ways to the stables,
where he found his foster brother at work combing out the mane of
Sigurd's fighting steed. A very tall and powerful animal it was,
with a glossy brown coat and a long tail that reached nearly to
the ground. It was well trained, and many a well won fight had it
fought. Sleipner was its name, and it was so called after the eight
footed horse of Odin.

Olaf went to Thorgils' side and greeted him with friendly words.
Then, when they had spoken for a while together, Olaf bent his head
close to Thorgils' ear, and said he:

"I have news, brother."

"Ill news or good?" asked Thorgils.

"Judge for yourself," answered Olaf. "It is that our old enemy
Klerkon the Viking has come into Holmgard, with many men and a
mighty horse that is to be pitted against Sleipner."

Thorgils drew back with a sudden start.

"Then has our good time come," he cried. "Our vow of vengeance
must be fulfilled. No longer are we little boys, weak of arm and
failing in courage. Never again shall Klerkon sail the seas."