ard her that night, for I would
not see Ingvar again just yet.

But in the early morning he sent to beg me to speak with him, and I
came. He sat in his great chair, and I stood before him.

"You have brought me a quiet night, Wulfric," he said. "Tell me how
you came here, for I think it was not that you would wish to see me
again."

So Thormod had told him nothing, and I answered:

"I came with Thormod for more men, for Ethelred the King is growing
strong against you. Have you heard no news?"

"None," he said; "but that is not your errand, but his."

"That will Thormod tell you, therefore," I answered. "As for me, I
came at Halfden's bidding, which Thormod told me."

"What did Halfden bid you come here for?"

"To take Osritha his sister into safety and peace again. Suffer me
to do so," I said, boldly enough, but yet quietly.

Now Ingvar looked fixedly at me from under his brows, and I gave
back his look. Yet there was no silent defiance between us therein.

"Take her," he said at length; "you have saved her from these
Jomsburgers, and you have the right. Take her where you will."

"Do you come back with us, King?" I asked him, giving him no word
of thanks, for I owed him none.

"Tell Guthrum from me that I shall never set foot in England again.
Tell him, if you will, that our shores here need watching against
outland foes, and that I will do it. Let him settle his kingship
with Hubba and Halfden."

Then he paled and looked beyond me, adding in a low voice: "Eadmund
is king in East Anglia yet."

Now I answered him not, fearing lest his terror should come on him
again. And slowly he slipped from his arm the great gold bracelet
that he had so nearly given Eadgyth.

"Tell your people that never should a bridal train cross the Bridge
of the Golden Spurs on the way to the church while the brook flows
to the sea, lest ill should befall both bride and groom, because
thus found I Eadmund the King, whose face is ever before me by
night and day. Take this gold, I pray you, Wulfric, and lay it on
the tomb where his bones are, in token that he has conquered--and
let me fight my shame alone till I die."

Wondering, I took the bracelet, pitying the man again, yet fearing
what he might say and do next, for I thought that maybe he would
slay himself, so hopeless looked he.

"Fain would I have been your friend," he said, "but pride would not
let me. Yet Eadgyth your sister and Egfrid called me so, and maybe
that on