"Therefore we are comrades, not master and man," I said.
"Nay, but master and man—lord and thrall," he answered.
So I must let him have his way, but he could not make me think of him as aught but a good and brave comrade whom I loved well.
They hailed me as king when I went on board my ship for the first time with my own men, as I have said. Then our best weapon smith asked for gold from the men, and they gave what they had—it was in plenty with us of Einar's following—and made a golden circlet round my helm, that they might see it and follow it in battle.
It was good to wear the crown thus given willingly, but in the end it sent me from north to south, as will be seen. That, however, is a matter with which I will not quarrel, for it sent me to Alfred the king.
We had left the firth t
