I have seen such things before."
"Then must the Lady Alswythe fly," I said: "but where is Matelgar?"
"Struck down as he fled," said Wulfhere grimly. "I saw Osric and twenty
of his men close round him and beat back the Danes for a moment: but I
could not win to them, and so came back to you as you rallied us. That
was well done," he said again.
"I left when Osric came up. Matelgar I saw not," I said.
"Osric saw you, though," answered Wulfhere, "and, moreover, knew you.
And I heard him cry out when he saw the white horse riderless; for the
arrows were still flying, and he thought you slain, I think."
Now I wondered if Osric would be wroth with me, thinking I had fought
against his orders; but I had little time to think of myself, all my
care being for Alswythe, who had lost home and father in one day; being
left to Wulfhere, and me--an outlaw.
Then Wulfhere and I took counsel about flight, being troubled also about
the holy women in this place; for the heathen would not respect the
walls of a nunnery. But for them we thought Osric would surely care.
Now there came to us as we stood and talked, a housecarle in a green
cloak, and asked us if we had seen a warrior, wounded maybe, riding a
great white horse, which, he added, had been Edred the Thane's, who was
killed.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134