The Eirspennill version of the saga relates that towards the end of winter, the Norwegian king, Hákon, summoned an assembly at his palace, and granted Uspak the title of king, and bestowed upon the him the royal name Hákon. The Norwegian king decided upon a plan to give Uspak an army to command in the Hebrides. In Spring, Hakon set out for Bergen, and upon his arrival ordered the preparation of the fleet. While preparations were under way, Óláfr came to the king, stating that he had fled from Mann because Ailín had driven him off his lands; he also stated that Ailín had made many threats to the Norwegians. Óláfr stayed in Bergen for several nights, before leaving for Orkney with Páll Bálkason. Before the fleet had left Orkney, it had swelled in size to twenty ships. When, Balki 'the Young' Pálsson, and Óttarr Snækollr, heard of this, they sailed south to Skye, where they came upon Þórkell Þórmóðarson at Vestrajǫrðr, where they fought him. Þórkell was slain along with two of his sons; however, another son, named Þórmóðr, survived by leaping onto a cask which floated beside the ship, and was driven along the shore to Hattarskot. After their victory, Óttarr Snækollr and Bálki 'the Young' sailed to meet Uspak and the fleet.