It was yet early in the forenoon when the games began. They were
held on the great plain beyond the gate, where fences were raised
as a girdle round the course. Upon the sunny side was the king's
tent, where Valdemar and Allogia sat, attended by many guests and
courtiers, among whom was Sigurd Erikson.

For a long while Sigurd, who sat near to the queen, was at his
ease in the belief that young Olaf was keeping within doors, and
he paid little heed to those who were within the ring. First there
were jumping matches. Olaf did not join in these, for he was not
yet tall enough to compete with full grown men, and there were
no youths of his own height who were skilled enough to match him.
Neither, for a like reason, did he take part in the sword feats.
But at last it came to a trial of skill with the longbow. The bowmen
were at the far end of the course, and their faces could not well
be seen from the tent, even had Sigurd searched among them for the
face of his wilful nephew. There was one, however, who saw better
than he, and this was Queen Allogia.

She waited until it came to the turn of those who were younger than
eighteen years, and then she watched with keen eyes. Among them she
soon discerned the youth whom she sought; nor did she lose sight
of him until his well aimed arrow shot full into the mark, and he
was proclaimed the victor. Then, when Olaf came before the tent
to make his obeisance, Sigurd saw him, and was very wroth, for he
knew that Klerkon the Viking was among the king's guests.

Now, when Olaf was thus near, it seemed to Klerkon that the lad