Egil said:
'It is to me quite clear what this message means;
the king will have you out of the land like others of Arinbjorn's kin,
for I call sending a man of your nobleness on such errand a sending to certain death.
My advice is that you call the king's messengers to conference with you,
and I will be present at your talk,
and we will see what come of it.'
Thorstein did as he bade;
he held conference with them.
The messengers told all the truth of their errand and of the king's message,
that Thorstein must go on this mission or else be outlawed.
Egil said:
'I see clearly about your errand, that if Thorstein refuses to go,
then you will have to go and gather the in the tribute.
' The messengers said that he guessed rightly.
Said Egil:
'Thorstein shall not go on this journey;
for he is in nowise bound thereto, a man of his renown,
to go on such mean missions.
Thorstein will do that whereto he is bound,
to wit, attend the king within the land or without,
if the king demands it.
Also, if ye want to have some men from hence for this journey,
this will be granted you,
and all such furtherance of your journey as ye may name to Thorstein.'
Then the messengers talked among themselves,
and agreed that they would accept these terms,
if Egil would go with them on the journey.
'The king,'
they said,
'bears him great ill-will,
and he will think our journey a right good one if we bring it about that Egil be slain.
He can then drive Thorstein out of the land if he pleases.
' So they told Thorstein that they would be content if Egil went and Thorstein stayed at home.