Like wildfire through a summer forest, word spread that Sigurd"s estate was open to all those in need of food and shelter for the winter. The only stipulation was submission to Hakon as their king, which, judging by the numbers that soon came, bothered no one. To Hakon"s utter delight, more than fifty refugees from West Trondelag arrived within a few days—far more than they had expected—and more still from the coastline of North More, which Erik had attacked on his southward retreat. Thanes, freemen, and thralls alike came by boat, by horse, and on foot. Most brought their livestock, household utensils, and any food and possessions they"d rescued from the remains of their homes. An unfortunate few, however, arrived with nothing save the clothes that covered their starving frames, and came
