Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 6, 2025
"Why, then," said Berthun, "some thane must be bringing a captive shortly. But why Alsi orders these benches, it passes me to make out. They are those that have been used for the weddings of his kin since the days of Hengist. Last time was when Orwenna, his sister, wedded Ethelwald of Norfolk. Maybe he thinks that they need airing."
One came and bade him take the silver pennies that the thanes had set out for the prize, but he shook his head and smiled. "I threw the thing because I was bidden, and not for any prize," he said. "I would have it given to the porter who fairly won it." Then he elbowed his way to Berthun, and said, "let us go, master; we have stayed here too long already."
"Mighty careful of us is Alsi all of a sudden," said Mord. "I suppose he thinks that someone will stick a seax into some of us in all friendly wise while we are talking." But Berthun only laughed, and went to where the nurse was beckoning to him. He told her his own thoughts of Havelok, being glad to have a ready hearer.
And then he added, with a smile, "I think that I can order matters there so that things will be more fair, and that you will have less trouble with that unmannerly scramble." "If you can do that, you are even as your name calls you. Take them and welcome, Curan, and then come here and do what work you will," Berthun said in haste. "Tasks you must set me, or I shall grow idle.
But one day we were fitted out fresh by the king's bounty in blue and scarlet jerkins and hose, and we swaggered after that with the best, as one may suppose. Berthun had the ordering of that business, and he came and sat with Eglaf in the gatehouse and talked of it. "Pity that you do not put your man Curan into decent gear," the captain said.
"All that I know for certain is that you fled with us from Hodulf, the new king, and that for reasons which my father never told me." Then said Havelok, "There was naught worth telling, therefore. I suppose I was the child of some steward like Berthun; but yet " So he went away, and I wondered long if it were not time that Arngeir should tell all that he knew.
So he had not given out anything that was against the princess, but had told all how she had wedded the heir of Denmark, and that she had given up her land to himself, and followed her husband across the sea. It was not hard for him to feign gladness in her well-doing; and Berthun counselled Ragnar to let things be thus, and yet prepare for her return.
He has an honest face, and will be fair to all." That seemed to please the crowd; and after that they said no more, but followed and watched the gathering up of Havelok's mighty burden. And presently there was more than he could manage; and he spoke to Berthun, who checked himself in a half bow as he answered.
When it seemed that there were few more guests to come, and only half a dozen seats were vacant on the high place, Berthun passed into the room beyond the hall, and at once a hush fell on the noisy folk, who had been talking to one another as though they had never met before.
Berthun bowed and went his way; and I wondered how my brother would bear this, for the hall and its ordering was wont, as I have said, to bring back his troubled thoughts of things half remembered.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking