Óttar worked his fit men very hard, but none complained. The first two months on the bank saw the construction of a D-shaped longphort, whose site extended over an area of about twenty hectares, or half a hide, surrounded by a sub-rectangular ditched enclosure. The jarl insisted that this work be done only after the early morning activities of checking eel and waterfowl traps and fishing nets because the men depended on a nutritious diet to maintain strength or regain it in the case of the wounded. Eel soup seemed to work wonders for the injured men, some of whom, including Ragnall, were able to undertake light tasks already after a month, such as collecting shellfish.
Once the defences were completed with a rampart, comprising a bank and ditch of some 268 yards, Óttar declared his satisf
