Chapter VIII. The Black Twelfth-Night.
When we came to the little out of the way village among the Cornishhills near which Neot, the king's cousin, had his dwelling, Ithought it strange that any one should be willing to give up thestirring life at court for such a place as this. Here was only onefair-sized house in the place, and that was built not long beforeby the king for his own use when he came here, which was often. AndNeot's own dwelling was but a little stone-walled and turf-roofedhut, apart from all others, on the hillside, and he dwelt therewith one companion--another holy man, named Guerir, a Welshman bybirth--content with the simple food that the villagers could givehim, and spending his days in prayer and thought for the king andpeople and land that he loved.
But presently, as I came to know more of Neot, it seemed good thatsome should live thus in quiet while war and unrest were over thecountry, else had all learning and deeper thought passed away. Itis certain from all that I have heard, from the king himself andfrom others, that without Neot's steady counsel and gathered wisdomAlfred had remained haughty and proud, well-nigh hated by hispeople, as he had been when first he came to the throne.
At one time he would drive away any who came to him with plaints ortales of wrong and trouble; but Neot spoke to him in such wise thathe framed his ways differently. And now I used to wonder to see himstay and listen patiently to some rambling words of trifling want,told by a wayside thrall, to which it seemed below his rank tohearken, and next I would know that it was thus he made his peoplelove him as no other king has been loved maybe. There was no manwho could not win hearing from him now.
It is said of him that when Neot showed him the faults in his ways,he asked that some sickness, one that might not make him useless orloathsome to his people, might be sent him to mind him against hispride, and that so he had at first one manner of pain, and now thiswhich I had seen. It may be so, for I know well that so he made itgood for him, and he bore it most patiently. Moreover, I have neverheard that it troubled him in the times of direst need, though thefear of it was with him always.
Now what Alfred and Neot spoke of at this time I cannot say, exceptthat it was certainly some plan for the good of the land. I and mycomrades hunted and hawked day by day until the evening came, andthen would sup plainly with the king, and then sit at Neot's doorin the warm evening, and talk together till the stars came out.
Many things we spoke of, and Neot told me what I would. I cannotwrite down those talks, though I mind every word of them. But therewas never any talk of the runes I had offered.
Neot spoke mostly, but Alfred put in words now and then that everseemed to make things plainer; and I mind how Ethelnoth theealdorman sat silent, listening to questions and answers that maybehe had never needed to put or hear concerning his own faith.
At first I was only asking because the king wished it, then becauseI grew curious, and because I thought it well to know what aSaxon's faith was if I was to bide among Alfred's folk. Kolgrimlistened, saying nought. But presently Harek the scald would askmore than I, and his questions were very deep, and I thought thatas days went on he grew thoughtful and silent.
Then one evening the song woke within the scald's breast, and hesaid to Neot:
"Many and wise words have you spoken, Father Neot. Hear now thesong of Odin--the Havamal--and tell me if you have aught to equalit."
"Sing, my son," the good man answered. "Wisdom is from above, andis taught in many ways."
Then Harek sang, and his voice went over the hillsides, echoingwonderfully; while we who heard him were very still, unwilling tolose one word or note of the song. Many verses and sayings of the"Havamal" I knew, but I had not heard it all before. Now it seemedto me that no more wisdom than is therein could be found {ix}.
So when Harek ended Neot smiled on him, and said:
"That is a wondrous song, and I could have listened longer. Thereis little therein that one may not be wiser in remembering."
"There is nought wiser; it is Odin's wisdom," said Harek.
Now the old hermit, Guerir, Neot's friend, sat on the stone benchbeside the king, and he said:
"Hear the words of the bards, the wondrous 'triads' of old time."
And he chanted them in a strange melody, unlike aught I had everheard. And they, the old savings, were wise as the "Havamal"itself. But he stopped ere long, saying:
"The English words will not frame the meaning rightly. I do nojustice to the wisdom that is hidden."
Then Neot turned to the king, and said:
"Sing to Harek words from the book of Wisdom that we know. I thinkyou can remember it well."
"I have not rhymed it," the king answered; "but sometimes the songshapes itself when it is needed."
He took Guerir's little harp and tuned it afresh and sang. And inthe words were more wisdom than in the Havamal or in the song ofthe bards, so that I wondered; and Harek was silent, looking out tothe sunset with wide eyes.
Not long did the king sing, as it seemed to us; and when he ceased,Harek made no sign.
"Sing now, my cousin, words that are wiser than those; even singfrom the songs of David the king."
So said Neot; and Alfred sang again very wondrously, and as withsome strange awe of the words he said. Then to me it seemed thatbeside these the words of Odin were as nought. They became as wordsof the wisdom of daily life, wrung from the lips of men forced tolearn by hardness and defeat and loss; and then the words thatAlfred had first sung were as those of one who knew more than Odin,and yet spoke of daily troubles and the wisdom that grows thereout.But now the things that he sang must needs have come from wisdombeyond that of men--wisdom beyond thought of mine. And if so itseemed to me, I know not how the heart of the scald, who was morethoughtful and knew more than I, was stirred.
He rose up when Alfred ceased, and walked away down the hillsideslowly, as in a dream, not looking at us; and the kindly Saxonssmiled gently, and said nothing to rouse him.
It is in my mind that Harek's eyes were wet, for he had lostsomewhat--his belief in things he held dearest and first ofall--and had as yet found nothing that should take its place. Thereis nought harder than that to a man.
When he had passed out of hearing, I said:
"Are there wiser things yet that you may sing?"
"Ay, and that you may learn, my son," answered Neot. "Listen."
Then he spoke words from Holy Writ that I know now--the words thatspeak of where wisdom may be found. And he said thereafter, andtruly, that it was not all.
Then I seemed to fear greatly.
"Not now, my king, not now," I said; "it is enough."
Then those two spoke to me out of their kind hearts. Yet to me theold gods were very dear, and I clung to them. Neither Neot nor theking said aught against them, being very wise, at that time.
Presently Harek came back, and his eyes were shining.
"Tell me more of this learning," he said, casting himself down onthe grass at Alfred's feet. "Scald have I been since I could sing,and nought have I heard like this."
"Some day," Neot said; "it is enough now that you should know whatyou have heard."
So ended that strange song strife on Neot's quiet hillside. The sunset, and the fleecy mists came up from the little river below, andwe sat silent till Alfred rose and said farewell, and we went tothe guest house in the village.
Now I think that none will wonder that after we had been with Neotfor those ten days, we were ready and willing to take on us the"prime signing," as they called it, gladly and honestly. So we weresigned with the cross by Neot, and Alfred and Ethelnoth and Guerirwere our witnesses.
I know that many scoff at this, because there are heathen who takethis on them for gain, that they may trade more openly, or findprofit among Christian folk, never meaning or caring to seekfurther into the faith that lies open, as it were, before them. Butit was not so with us, nor with many others. We were free to serveour old gods if we would, but free also to learn the new faith; andto learn more of it for its own sake seemed g
ood to us.
So we went back to Exeter with the king, and Neot came for a fewmiles with us, on foot as was his wont, parting from us with manygood words. And after he was gone the king was cheerful, and spokewith me about the ordering of the fleet we were to build, as thoughhe were certain that I should take command of it in the spring.
And, indeed, after that time there was never any question among usthree vikings about it. It seemed to us that if we had lost Norwayas a home, we had gained what would make as good a country; and,moreover, Alfred won us to him in such wise that it seemed we coulddo nought but serve him. There can be few who have such power overmen's hearts as he.
Exeter seemed very quiet when we came back; for the Danes weregone, and the king's levies had dispersed, and only the courtremained, though that was enough to make all the old city seem verygay to those who had known it only in the quiet of peace.
One man was there whom I had hardly thought to meet again, and thatwas Osmund the Danish jarl. For he was a hostage in the king'shands, to make more sure that the peace would be kept. I knew therewere hostages to be given by the beaten host; but I had not askedwho they were, and had been at the ships when they were given up,ten of them in all, and of the best men among the Danes.
Alfred treated his captives very well, giving them good lodgings,and bating them often at his own table, so that I saw much ofOsmund. And more than that, I saw much of the Lady Thora, hisdaughter, who would not leave him. I do not think that there couldbe more certain manner of beginning a close friendship between awarrior and the lady whom he shall learn to hold first in hisheart, than that in which I first met this fair maiden.
Now one will say that straightway I must fall in love with her, butit was not so: first of all, because I had not time, since everyday Alfred planned new ships with me and Thord; and next, because Iwas his guest, and Osmund was his hostage. Maybe I thought not muchof that, however, not having the thoughts of a Saxon towards aDane. But I will say this, that among all the fair ladies of thequeen's household there was none of whom I thought at all; while ofwhat Thora would say I thought often, and it pleased me that theLady Etheldreda, Odda's fair eldest daughter, took pity on thelonely maiden, and made much of her after a time.
Three weeks I was in Exeter, and then the king went eastwardthrough his country to repair what damage had been done. Then Itook up my work for him, and got out my ship and sailed westward,putting into every harbour where a ship might be built, and set theshipwrights to work, having with me royal letters to sheriffs andport reeves everywhere that they should do what I ordered them. Ineach yard I left two or three of my men, that they should overseeall things; because if one Saxon thinks he knows better than hisfellow, he will not be ruled by him, whereas no man can disputewhat a born viking has to say about ship craft. It seemed that allwere glad of our coming, and the work began very cheerfully.
All this took long, but at last I came up the Severn, and so intothe river Parret--for the weather would serve me no longer and laidup the ship in a creek there is at Bridgwater, where Heregar, theking's standard bearer, was sheriff. He made me very welcome at hisgreat house near by, at Cannington, and then rode with me toBristol; and there I set two ships in frame, and so ended all Icould do for the winter. King Alfred would have a fleet when thespring came.
Then Heregar and I would go to Chippenham, to spend the time of theYule feast with King Alfred; and we rode there with Harek andKolgrim, and were made most welcome. Many friends whom I had madeat Exeter were there, and among them, quiet and yet hopeful ofrelease, were the hostages.
That was a wonderful Yule to me; but I will say little of it, forthe tale of the most terrible Twelfth Night that England has everknown overshadows it all, though there were things that I learnedat that time, sitting in the church with Harek, at the west end,and listening, that are bright to me. But they are things bythemselves, and apart from all else.
Now peace was on all the land, and the frost and snow were brightand sharp everywhere; so that men said that it was a hard winter,and complained of the cold which seemed nothing to us Northmen.Maybe there was a foot of snow in deep places, and the ice was sixinches thick on the waters; and the Saxons wondered thereat, sayingthat they minded the like in such and such years before. Then Iwould tell them tales of the cold north to warm them, but I thinkthey hardly believed me.
The town was full of thanes and their families who had been calledto Alfred's Yule keeping, and it was very bright and pleasant amongthem all, though here and there burnt ruins made gaps between thehouses, minding one that the Danes had held the place not so longsince.
So they kept high feasting for Yule and the New Year, and the lastgreat feast was for Twelfth Night, and all were bidden for that,and there was much pleasant talk of what revels should be in theevening.
The day broke very bright and fair, with a keen, windless frostthat made the snow crisp and pleasant to ride over, hindering onein no way. And there was the sun shining over all in a way thatmade the cold seem nought to me, so that I had known nothing morepleasant than this English winter, having seen as yet nothing ofthe wet and cold times that come more often than such as this.Then, too, the clear ringing of the bells from every village nearand far was new to me, and I thought I had heard nothing sweeterthan the English call to the church for high festival {x}.
So I went to the king, and asked him if I might take with me theDanish jarl for a ride beyond the town; for the hostages were onlyfree inside the walls, and I knew this would please Osmund andThora well. I said that I would see to his safety and be answerablefor him.
"This must be Osmund, I suppose," the king said, smiling. "I haveheard how you came to know him and his fair daughter at Wareham. Itwas well done, though maybe I should blame you for runningover-much risk."
"I think I ran little, lord king," I said; "and I could have doneno less for the poor maiden."
"Surely; but I meant that to go at all was over dangerous."
"I am ready to do the same again for you, my king," I said. "Andafter all I was in no danger."
Then said the king, smiling gravely at me:
"Greater often are the dangers one sees not than those which onehas to meet. I have my own thoughts of what risk you ran.
"Well, take your fair lady and the jarl also where you will. Butthe feast is set for two hours after noon, and all must be there."
So I thanked him, and he bade me ask his steward for horses if Iwould, and I went straight to Osmund from his presence.
"I think it will be a more pleasant ride than our last," saidThora. "Yet that is one that I shall not forget."
Then I tried to say that I hoped she did not regret it either, butI minded me of the loved nurse she had to leave, and was silent intime. Yet I thought that she meant nothing of sorrow in theremembrance as she spoke.
We called out my two comrades, for Osmund liked them well, and rodeaway northward, that the keen air might be behind us as wereturned. That was all the chance that led us that way, and it waswell that we were so led, as things turned out.
The white downs and woodlands sparkling with frost were verybeautiful as we rode, and we went fast and joyously in the freshair; but the countryside was almost deserted, for the farmsteadswere burned when the Danes broke in on the land last spring, andfew were built up as yet. The poor folk were in the town now, forthe most part, finding empty houses enough to shelter them, andnone left to whom they belonged.
Now we rode for twelve miles or so, and then won to a hilltop whichwe had set as our turning place. I longed to stand there and lookout over all this country, that seemed so fair after the ruggednorthern lands I had known all my life. But when we were there wesaw a farmstead just below us, on the far slope of the gentle hill;and we thought it well to go there and dismount, and maybe findsome food for ourselves and the horses before turning back.
So we went on. It was but a couple of furlongs distant, and thebuildings lay to the right of the road, up a tree-shaded lane oftheir own.
We tur
ned into this, and before we had gone ten yards along it Ihalted suddenly. I had seen somewhat that seemed strange, andunmeet for the lady to set eyes on.
"Bide here, jarl," I said, "and let us go on and see what is here;the place looks deserted."
And I looked meaningly at him, glancing at Thora.
But he had seen what had caught my eye, and he stayed at once,turning back into the main road, and beckoning Harek to come withhim and Thora, for some reason of his own.
Then Kolgrim and I went on. What we had seen was a man lyingmotionless by the farm gate, in a way that was plain enough to me.And when we came near, we knew that the man had been slain. He wasa farm thrall, and he had a pitchfork in his hand, the shaft ofwhich was half cut through, as with a sword stroke that he hadwarded from him, though he had not stayed a second cut, for so hewas killed.
"Here is somewhat strangely wrong," I said.
"Outlaws' work," answered Kolgrim; for the wartime had made themasterless folk very bold everywhere, and the farm was lonelyenough.
We rode through the swinging gate, and then we saw three horses bythe stable yard paling, and with them was an armed man, who saw usas we came round the house, and whistled shrilly. Whereon twoothers came running from the building, and asked in the Danishtongue what he called for. The first man pointed to us, and allthree mounted at once. They were in mail and helm, fully armed.
Now we were not, for we had thought of no meeting such as this, androde in woollen jerkins and the like, and had only our swords andseaxes, as usual; but for the moment I did not think that we shouldneed either. Outlaws such as I took them for do not make any standunless forced.
Presently one of the men, having mounted leisurely enough, calledto us.
"There is no plunder to be had," he said, "even if you were not toolate; our folk cleared out the place over well last time."
Then a fourth man, one who seemed of some rank, rode from beyondthe house, passing behind us without paying any heed to us, exceptthat he called to the men to follow him, and so went down the lanetowards where Osmund was waiting with Harek.
All this puzzled me, and so I cried to the three men:
"What do you here? Whose men are you?"
At that they looked at one another--they were not more than tenyards from us now--and halted.
"You should know that," one said; and then he put his hand to hissword suddenly, adding in a sharp voice:
"These be Saxons; cut them down."
When hand goes to sword hilt one knows what is coming, and even asthe man said his last words I was on them, and Kolgrim was not apace behind me. The Dane's sword was out first; but I was upon himin time. His horse swerved as mine plunged forward, and I rode himdown, horse and man rolling together in the roadway. Then the manto my right cut at me, and I parried the blow and returned it. Thenthat horse was riderless, and I heard Kolgrim laugh as his man wentdown with a clatter and howl.
My horse plunged on for a few steps, and then I turned. Kolgrim hadone horse by the bridle, and was catching that which had fallen. Icaught the other, and so we looked at each other.
"This is your luck, master," said Kolgrim.
"Well," said I, "these are Danes, and I do not think they arewanderers either. Here are forage bags behind the saddles. Onewould say that they were on the march if this were not mid-winterand time of peace. The horsemen in advance of a host, or the like."
Then Kolgrim said:
"Where has the other man gone? I had forgotten him for the moment."
"Bide here and see if any poor farm folk are yet alive," I said. "Iwill ride after him."
So I gave the horse I was holding to my comrade, and went backquickly down the lane to where Osmund and the other two were. Theman I sought was speaking with the jarl, whose face was white andtroubled. Harek was looking red and angry, but on Thora's face waswritten what I could not understand--as it were some fear of a newterror.
Now it was plain that all three were very glad of my coming; butthe stranger looked round for a single glance, and then went onspeaking to Osmund.
"Be not a fool, jarl," he said angrily. "Here is your chance; letit not slip."
"I tell you that my word shall not be broken," Osmund replied, verycoldly and sternly.
"What say you, girl?" the man said then, turning to Thora. "Shortshrift will be the jarl's when Alfred finds that we are on him."
But Thora turned away without a word, and then the Dane spoke tome:
"Here! you are another hostage, I suppose."
"I am not," I answered.
"Well, then, here is Jarl Osmund, if you know him not, and he isone. Tell him that what I say is true, and that Chippenham townwill be burned out tonight king and all."
I saw that the Dane, seeing that I was armed, and not clad in theSaxon manner altogether, took me for one of his own people. Andfrom his words it was plain that some of the Danish chiefs hadbroken away from Guthrum, and were making this unheard-ofmid-winter march to surprise Alfred. Most likely they werenewcomers into Mercia, and had nought to do with the Exeter host.
"Maybe it is true," I answered; "but I am no Dane."
He laughed loudly.
"Why, then, you are one of Alfred's Norsemen! Now I warn you to getaway from Chippenham, for it is unsafe, and there will be no kingto pay you tomorrow. I think that you will say with me that it werebetter for Osmund to come with me to meet the host than to go backto Alfred and be hung before he flies--if he gets news of us intime to do so."
Herein the man was right, for Alfred had warned the chiefs atExeter that he held the hostages in surety for peace on the part ofall and any Danes. But I thought I might learn more, so I said:
"Guthrum thinks little of his friends' lives."
"Guthrum!" the Dane answered sneeringly; "what have we to do withhim and his peace making?"
"What then are you Hubba's men?"
"He is in Wales. Think you that we are all tied to the sons ofLodbrok?"
"You might have worse leaders," I said.
And just then Kolgrim came along the lane, leading the threehorses, and on them were the armour and weapons of the slain. Itwas not my comrade's way to leave for other folk aught that wasworth having.
At once the Dane knew what had happened, and he swung his horseround and spurred it fiercely, making for flight. Then Harek lookedat me and touched his sword hilt, and I nodded. It was well to letno tidings of our knowledge go back to the host. After the Danetherefore went Harek, and I looked at Osmund.
"Jarl," I said, "I am in a strait here. If you go back, your lifeis in Alfred's hands."
"I know it," he said, smiling faintly. "It is a hard place maybefor us both, but there is only one way. You must get back to theking, and I with you; for you have to answer for me, and my word ispassed not to escape."
Then Thora said:
"The king is just, as all men know. How should he slay you for whatyou cannot help?"
"Ay," he answered, smiling at her, "that is right."
So she was satisfied, knowing nought perhaps of what the place of ahostage is.
So we started back to Chippenham quickly, and after us I heardHarek coming. He had a led horse when he joined us, and I knew thatnone would take word to the Danish host that the king was warned.
When we came to the hilltop over which we had ridden so blithely anhour ago or less, we looked back, and at first saw nothing. Thenover the white brow of a rolling down that shone in the levelsunlight came a black speck that grew and lengthened, sliding, asit were, like a snake down the hillside. And that line sparkledlike ice in the sunlight from end to end; for it was the Danishhost on the march, and in two hours they would be where we stood,and in two more they who were mounted would be in Chippenhamstreets, where Alfred had not enough men even to guard the gatesagainst such a force as was coming.
Then we rode hard for the lives of all who were in the town, and asI went I thought also that we rode to the death of the brave,honest jarl who was beside me, saying nothing, but never let
tinghis horse falter. Just as bravely rode Thora.
In an hour we were at the gates, and I rode straight to the king'shouse, and sought him on urgent business.
Ethered of Mercia came out to me.
"What is it, Ranald?" he said. "The Witan is set now."
I told him in few words, and his face changed.
"It seems impossible in frost and snow," he said.
"Ay; but there are proofs," I said, pointing through the greatdoorway.
There was my party, and Kolgrim was binding a wound on Harek's armof which I knew nought till that moment, and the led horses andspoils were plain enough to say all.
Then Ethered made haste and took me to the great hall, where Alfredsat with some thirty thanes of his Witan {xi}, and many clergy.I knew they were to meet on some business that I had nought to dowith. Ethered went to the king without any ceremony, and speakinglow told him my message. Whereon the king's face grew white andthen red, and he flashed out into terrible wrath:
"Forsworn and treacherous!" he cried, in a thick voice that shookwith passion. "The hostages--chain them and bring them here. Theirfriends shall find somewhat waiting them here that shall make themwish they had kept their oaths!"
Then he said to me:
"Speak out, Ranald, and tell these thanes your news."
I spoke plainly, and they listened with whitening faces andmuttered oaths. And when I ceased, one cried, hardly knowing whathe said, as I think:
"This outlander rode with Osmund the Dane to bring them on us evennow."
"Silence!" Alfred said; and then in a cold voice he asked me:
"Where is this Osmund? I suppose he has fled to his people."
"That he has not, though he could have done so," I answered."Moreover, the Dane I spoke with said in so many words that this isno host of Guthrum's."
At that Alfred frowned fiercely.
"Whose then? What good is a king if he cannot make his people keeptheir oaths?"
There was a stir at the door, and the eyes of all turned that way.And when the thanes saw that the hostages were being led in, withOsmund at their head, a great sullen growl of wrath broke fromthem, and I thought all hope was gone for the lives of thosecaptives.
"Hear you this?" the king said, in a terrible voice, when the noiseceased. "By the deed of your own people your lives are forfeit.They have broken the peace, and even now are marching on us. Yourleader, Osmund himself, has seen them."
"It is true," Osmund said. "We are in the king's hands."
Then Alfred turned to the Witan, who were in disorder, and inhaste, as one might see, to be gone to their houses and fly.
"You heard the Danish oath taken at Exeter; what is your word onthis?"
They answered in one voice:
"Slay them. What else?"
"You hear," said the king to the Danes. "Is not the sentence just?"
"It is what one might look for," Osmund answered, "but I will saythis, that this is some new band of Danes, with whom we have noughtto do."
"What!" said Alfred coldly; "will you tell me that any Dane in thecountry did not know that I held hostages for the peace? Go to.
"See to this matter, sheriff."
Then the sheriff of Chippenham came forward, and it seemed to methat it was of no use for me to say aught; yet I would try what Icould do, so I spoke loudly, for a talk had risen among the thanes.
"What is this, lord king? Will you slay Osmund the jarl, who haskept his troth, even to coming back to what he knew would be hisdeath? You cannot slay such a man for the oath breaking of others."
Then the king looked long at me, and the sheriff stayed, and atfirst I expected passionate words; but the king's rage was cold anddreadful now.
"His friends slay him--not I," he answered.
Then of a sudden I minded somewhat, and clear before me stood atest by which I might know certainly if it were good that I shouldleave the Asir and follow the way of the white Christ.
"King Alfred," I said, "I have heard the bishop tell, in the greatchurch here, of a king who slew the guiltless at Christmastide.There was nought too hard for any to say of that man. Moreover, Ihave heard strange and sweet words of peace at this time, offorgiveness of enemies and of letting go of vengeance. Are thesethings nought, or are they indeed those by which you guideyourselves, as Neot says?"
He was silent, gazing fixedly on me; and all the Witan werespeechless, listening.
"These men are enemies maybe, but they at least have done nought.Shall you avenge yourself on them for the wrongdoing of others?"
Then the king's face changed, and he looked past me, and in hiseyes grew and shone a wondrous light, and slowly he lifted up hishand, and cried, in a great voice that seemed full of joy:
"Hear this, O ye Danes and foes of the Cross. For the love ofChrist, and in His name, I bid you go in peace!"
And then, as they stared at him in wonder and awe at his look andwords, Alfred said to me:
"Unbind them, my brother, and let them go--nay, see them safely tosome strong house; for the poor folk may slay them in their blindanger, even as would I have done."
Then no man hindered me--for it seemed as if a great fear, as ofthe might of the holy name, had fallen on all--and I went and cutthe bonds of the captives. And as I did so, Osmund said in a lowvoice to me:
"First daughter and then father. We owe our lives to you."
"Nay," I answered, "but to the Christians' faith."
Then I hurried them out before news of what was on hand could getamong the townsfolk, and we went quickly to my lodgings; for thatwas a strong house enough, and could be barred in such wise thateven if any tried to attack the place in the flight that wouldbegin directly, it would take too long to break the doors down tobe safe with the host at hand.
Then came Heregar, armed and mounted, with a single man behind him,and he called for me.
"Ride out with me, King Ranald, for we must count these Danes, andsee that we are not overrating their number. After that we willjoin the king, who goes to Glastonbury."
So I bade farewell to Osmund and to Thora, who said nought, butlooked very wistfully, as if she would say words of thanks butcould not; and at that I went quickly, for it seemed hard to leaveher, in some way that was not clear to me, amid all the turmoil ofthe place.
But when we were on the road, Heregar said to me:
"It is in my mind that Osmund, your friend, will fare ill amongthese Danes. They will hear how he rode back, and will hold that byhis means the king escaped."
"What can be done?"
"The man is one of a thousand, as it seems to me. Let us bid himleave the town and get back to Guthrum as he can."
"He can have the Danish horses," I said.
Now before sunset we had seen the Danish force, and our heartssank. There were full ten thousand men, many of whom were mounted.
Then we rode back, and found the town in such tumult as it is notgood to think on. There is nothing more terrible to see than such aflight, and in midwinter.
When we came to my lodging, Heregar went in to find Osmund. I wouldnot see him again, lest Thora should weep. But in a few minutes hecame out with the jarl.
"Here is a wise man," said Heregar. "He says that he swore to keepthe peace with Alfred, and he will do it. He and the Lady Thorawill go with us. There are one or two also of the other hostageswho blame him for returning. He cannot stay among the Danes here."
Then I was very glad, and we made haste to have all ready forThora's comfort on the ride that might be so long. And so we rodeout after the king along the road to Glastonbury, and I think thatthe Danes were in the town half an hour after we left it.
Next we knew that Danes were on the road before us, and that morewere hard after us. Some had skirted the town in order to cut offthe king, and were pursuing him. So we struck off the road intoby-lanes that Heregar knew, resting at lonely houses as we went on.And when we came to Glastonbury at last, the king was not there,nor did any know of his fate.
Then we
rode, with the Danes swarming everywhere, through theSedgemoor wastes to Bridgwater, and found rest at Cannington,Heregar's great house not far off.
King Alfred's Viking Page 9
