But when we went back to the abbey, the bishop sent for us, and we were
taken into a room we had not seen before, and there on the table were
laid out three suits of mail, helmets, and arms.
"Now," said Ealhstan, as he saw our eyes go, as a man's eyes will,
straight to these things, "if you thanes are not too proud to accept
such as I can give, let me arm you, and tell you where you shall bear
these arms."
And that was what we longed for, for as yet we had no post in the levy,
and we told him as much.
"That is well," he answered. "See, Wislac, here is bright steel armour
and helm and shield for you. Sword also, if you need it, for maybe you
will scarce part from your own tried weapon?"
But Wislac smiled at that, and took hold of his sword hilt, loosening
the strings which bound it to the sheath. There were but eight inches of
blade left, and these were sorely notched.
"Aha!" quoth the bishop, "now know I why Wislac thought well to stop
fighting the other day," which pleased the Mercian well enough.
"Then, Wulfhere," went on Ealhstan, "here is this black armour and helm
and shield for you, and sword or axe as you will."
And Wulfhere thanked him, taking the axe, as his own sword was good.
"Now, Heregar, my son, this is yours," said the bishop, looking kindly
at me.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198