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Updated: June 13, 2025
"I shall be in a great hurry if I do not do that," I answered, laughing. But it was my thought that maybe when once my back was turned on the town, I should not have time to think of going near King Alsi's guard. Then I went to find Ragnar the earl, for we thought it well that he should know what was on hand.
"Then," said I, "go and ask Eglaf, the captain of the housecarls, for he knows all about it. We are no raiding Danes, but those who fight for Goldberga of East Anglia." At that a hum of voices went down the English line, and this earl bit his lip in doubt. "Well," he said, "that is Alsi's affair, and I will speak to him.
And he would have died to some purpose here, for he knew that Goldberga would come to her kingdom, ay, and maybe Alsi's as well, for she was his sister's daughter, and his next of kin, and well loved by those who had been allowed to know aught of her. But I would not have any think that the promise of so wondrous a bride was not pleasing to him.
I had thought of that happening before the fight began, but in the turmoil of hottest struggle I had forgotten it. Now Sigurd was before the thick mass of the housecarls, and hand to hand with them; and then he was among them, and he leapt at the bridle of Alsi's horse and grasped it. I saw the king's sword flash down on his helm, and he reeled under the stroke, but without letting go of the rein.
Men had much to say of him here, for, being some far-off kin to Alsi's Welsh mother, he was always about the court, and was hated. He had gone to Dover to fetch the princess before we came here, but it happened that I had once or twice seen him at other times when I was in Lincoln, so that I knew him now.
The Lindseymen drew back a foot's pace as they saw the giant who came on them, and I heard some call that this was Curan of Grimsby, as if in wonder. Then we had to fight hard, and Sigurd fell back past me, with a wound on his shoulder where Alsi's sword had glanced from the helm. No life had been left to Sigurd had a better hand wielded the weapon; but he was not badly hurt.
Yet though one could see that the men shouted and cried, there was no sound at all, and among the wildest turmoil walked the sentries of Alsi's host unconcerned and unknowing. And to me they seemed to be the ghosts, and the phantom strife that which was real. Then I was ware of a stranger thing yet than all I had seen so far, for on the field were more than those whom I knew.
So Withelm sent forth the old man to his own place with a good store of food, going with him for some miles, and promising him help for coming days until the dearth was ended. Now into the palace none might come after the feast was set; and all this time I was on guard, for there were double posts round the place, by reason of Alsi's fear of the attackers of the princess, as was said.
Then I saw that on the far bank was gathered another host, and that was of Alsi's men, and among them I knew the forms of some who had fallen in the first onset when I led the charge. I tried to put forth my hand to wake Withelm, but I could not stir, and when I would have spoken, I could frame no word, so that alone in all the host I saw the slain men fight their battle over again, step by step.
At that Alsi met with more than he bargained for. At once Berthun came forward, and forth came I, and without a word we sat one on each side of him. There were others who would have come also, for I saw even Eglaf take a step towards the high place, had we not done so. Alsi's face became black at that, for here was not the friendless churl he was scoffing at. But he tried to smile, as if pleased.
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