The summons went out to the local areas and several days later the bonders arrived. It was raining outside again, so Hakon held the meeting in Gudrod"s hall. Though the hall was large, the men stood shoulder to shoulder from the dais to the door. The stench of stale ale, venison, leeks, and body odor hung thickly on them. It was early and the mood of the men was as sour as the air.
“By now,” Hakon began, getting straight to the point, “most of you have heard of or seen the priests from Engla-lond who have come to our shores.” At his words, the assembly cast malignant glances at the priests, who stood off to Hakon"s right just below the dais. “If you have not seen them yet, then you see them now before you. They are men like you and me, only they wear funny robes and strange hair and bow t
