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So I grinned back, without a word, lest Matelgar should hear my voice and know it, and began to pretend to knot the thong round the scabbard. All the same, I was not going to fasten it so that I could not draw if need were, and only kept on plaiting and twisting. Then I heard Matelgar's voice and footstep, and I desisted, and, taking the arrow from my belt, stood up and ready.
Now whither I went for the next two hours I cannot tell, for my mind was heedless of time or place or direction only full of burning hate of all men, and of Matelgar most of all.
Then I said "Is Matelgar the Thane with him?" and he answered that Matelgar was slain before the stand was made. Then I said I would go, if only to ask Osric for a guard to keep the Lady Alswythe safe in her flight. And Wulfhere agreed, but doubtfully, saying that nevertheless he would make ready the horses and provisions for a journey, biding till I came back, or sent a messenger.
Now I ask only to be allowed to fight alongside your men in this levy, and after that it is over if I live I will go my way again." That was all I had to say, and when I ceased a talk buzzed up among the thanes. But Matelgar looked black, and Osric made no answer, frowning, indeed, but more I think at the doubt he was in than with anger at me.
At that laugh and it sounded not like my own, even to myself the man writhed, and besought me again for mercy. But I had no mind to kill him, and a thought crossed me. "Matelgar bade you slay me," I said, "that I know. Tell me why he has sought my life and I will spare you." "Master," said the man hastily, "I knew not whom I was to slay.
Wulfhere laid hand on sword as I came up, doubting if I were not a Dane, but I cried to him who I was, and he came out a step or two to me, asking for news. And when I told him what I had seen and done, he, too, said I had done well, and that I had saved Alswythe, if not many more. Also, that he had sent a man to tell Matelgar of his plans.
Yet I will say it truly, that thought of her had no share in bringing me on this mad errand, which might have ending in such fashion as would break her heart. One man, as my guide had said, sat just inside the hall, but I knew him not. Since he had my hall and his own to tend, Matelgar must have hired more and new housecarles.
So I bowed, and then, thinking it foolish to waste time, begged her to forgive bluntness, and told her of the death of Matelgar and of the sore danger of the town, and of how Osric had hidden me take Alswythe to Glastonbury to the bishop, and how he would himself care for her own safety. She was a brave lady, and worthy of the race of Offa from which she sprung.
So we started in the bright early morning, and he guided me well. There is little to say of that journey, but finding from the man's talk that the Moot rose not until the next day, I thought, with a lifting of my heart, how Matelgar would likely enough be yet there, and that I might almost in safety, unless he had sent word back concerning me to his men, go and try to gain speech of Alswythe.
So I stood before those two judges and looked them in the face; and then one moved uneasily in his seat to their left, and my eyes were drawn to him. It was Matelgar, and, as I saw him, I smiled for I thought him a friend at least; but he looked not at me. Then from him I turned to seek the face of some other whom I might know.
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