Byzantine Service
He then went to the Byzantines,who were enemies and rivals of the Kievan Rus. The 500 men that he acquired while in the service of Keivan Rus went with him. Harald decided to stay because he took interest in Byzantine lifestyle. During his stay he joined the Varangain Guard and served in it. From 1038 - 1041 he went with the Varangain Guard on their expedition to sicily where they tried to retake the island from the muslims. The expedition was successful but they were called back. When he came back his men that were loyal to Kievan Rus brought him back to Keiven Rus where he was imprisoned because a revolution had taken place and there was a new emperor. He may have been imprisoned not for betraying the Kievan Rus but for his loyalty to the old emperor. However, he escaped with help from revolting citizens who were against the shift in power.