well content with him."

"Of what is Guthrum king?" I asked, for I had not heard him called
by that name before. The only other king of the host beside the
three jarls was Bagsac.

"Why, of East Anglia. He holds it for Ingvar, while he tries to add
Wessex for his own to Mercia. Halfden will be king in Northumbria,
maybe, and Hubba over another of the kingdoms."

So they had already parted out the land among them beforehand! Woe
for us therefore, for unless a leader was raised up among us,
surely all England must own Danish overlords! But I had heard
Alfred the Wessex Atheling well spoken of as a warrior.

However, what was that to us of East Anglia? We had been deserted
by Wessex at our need as it seemed, and these Danes were as near
kin to us as Wessex Saxons.

"How did you come to leave Ingvar's service?" I asked, not being
willing to dwell on this matter.

"I think my face spoke to him too plainly of that which was in
Hoxne wood--and so he bade me stay with Guthrum. Nor was I loth,
for I would find you again."

Then I was touched a little by the kindness of this rough warrior,
and thanked him. After that we sat silent for a while, and the good
dame brought out food and ale for Raud, and I envied his pleasure
therein, for I took little as yet.

Now for many days past a great longing to be away from this place
had filled my mind, and now seemed to be the time.

"Take me to London, Raud," I said.

"Why, that is part of my errand here," he answered, smiling. "I
have a message to you from Guthrum the King."

"What might that be?"

"He wants to speak to you as one who is known to be friend to Dane
and Anglian alike, and being blamed by neither for friendship with
the other. So he would have you give him counsel."

"Let me get to London," I said, "and then I will answer. I cannot
now."

So Raud bided in the farm with me for a while, and now with new
thoughts and with his talk of Halfden and Osritha, I mended
quickly, for it was my troubled mind that had kept me back mostly,
as I cared for nothing.

One day I felt strong again, waking up and taking delight in the
smell of the fresh morning and in the sunlight. And I ate heartily
of the brown bread and milk they gave me, and afterwards told Raud
of what I had been long thinking.

"All things are quiet in the land now. Let us gather a few of my
people and seek the head of our king, if you fear not to go into
Hoxne woods."

Raud thought for a while befo