Hakon Haraldsson, whom some called “the Good” and others Athelstanfostri, or the foster-child of Athelstan, was laid to rest not far from Fitjar, at the very place he was born — a place beside the water called Hakonarhella. He was buried with his weapons and his armor and covered with a mound of dirt that resembled an upside-down ship. The ship"s form was marked with simple stones. At its prow stood a wooden cross that Egbert had fashioned.
Messengers had gone out far and wide, and those who heard had come in haste to see their king laid to rest. Alongside Hakon"s hirdmen stood Eyvind and what remained of his comrades, as well as Astrid, Thora, Egbert, Unn, and the locals. Even Harald Eriksson had come, though he remained on his ship, offshore, out of respect for the ceremony and the mour
