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So Wulfnoth went quickly down the ranks and noted all things as a chief such as he will. But now and then he waxed moody, and growled in his thick beard, "Scatt, forsooth!" So presently he asked Olaf to bring two ship's crews about eight-score men in all against the outlaws. Fifty of his own housecarles would go, and Relf's twenty.
Now when Godwine heard how our errand had failed, he laughed at Relf's downcast looks and said, scanning my weatherbeaten and forest-worn garments: "Maidens love to see warriors go in bright array. She is tired of those old weeds of Redwald's. We must fit him out afresh in the morning, and then she will listen maybe."
Wulfnoth stood with his back to the gate as we entered with the leading files. But when he heard the tramp and ring of warriors in their mail, he started and turned round sharply. I saw his face flush red, and I saw Olaf's smile, and Relf's face of wonder. And then the earl broke out angrily enough for his castle was, as it were, taken by Olaf. "What is the meaning of this?"
Now I wot that Ethelred has a friend who must be reckoned with." "Nay, but you would see the men," said Olaf. "Aye, and I have seen them," answered the earl grimly. When we sat down in the hall that night I was next to the maiden Sexberga, Relf's daughter, at the high table. She was very different from the great ladies of the court, who were all that I knew.
I was glad that the wicket flew open again. Relf stayed his laughter in a moment, and became very grave. "What would she say now?" he whispered. "Enough," I said, for the sister, having seen that we waited, unbarred the gate and let us in. Then she pointed to a door on our right, and went away. I took Relf's arm and led him to this door for he was going to follow the sister and we opened it.
Now Ottar had been to Penhurst with me, and we had come thence together to the ships. And when the old walls of the great castle were lost to sight as the vessel plunged eastward, he said: "Relf's daughter is a fair maiden, friend Redwald. It is in my mind that she will long to see you back again." "Not so," I answered; "she is but friendly."
We rode with twenty housecarles of Relf's behind us, and it was a new thing to me that I should see the wayside folk run out into the trackway to see us pass; that the farm thralls in the fields should but rise up, straightening stiffened backs and laughing, and stay their work for a moment to watch us; that no man who met us should ask with anxious face, "What news of the Danes?"
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