Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 6, 2025
Now one will ask concerning Ecgbert the atheling, whose friend I had been for so long. All men know that today he is the king of all England, and the greatest who ever sat on her throne. But for long years we waited till the time for his return came. While Bertric lived, to whom he had sworn fealty, he would do naught, in utmost loyalty, and with the Mercian throne he had no mind to meddle.
Then there climbed on the bows of the trader a tall, handsome young man, at the sight of whom I could not withhold a cry of wonder, for I knew him well. He was Ecgbert the atheling, nephew of our great king Ina, and the one man whom Bertric feared as a rival when he came to the throne.
Little enough there was, in truth; but what I had was from Ecgbert or Carl, with one little East Anglian brooch, set with garnets, from the lost king himself, and these I would not lose. Money I had in plenty for all needs and more, as may be expected of a warrior who has seen success with Carl.
Once I was sorely wounded, and Ecgbert tended me through that as a brother rather than as my lord even as I would have tended him, only that he was never hurt.
Little enough there was to tell me, save of the village happenings; and that was well, for it meant that there had in every way been peace. Two days after I came home my cousin came from Weymouth, rejoicing to see me safe and well once more, for he had ever blamed himself for my loss. Presently we spoke of Ecgbert, but there was yet no chance for him to return.
For us it was fighting, and always fighting, and little of that most splendid court of the king did we see; for Ecgbert had set himself to learn all that he might, and he was not one to do things by halves. Nor had I any wish to be anywhere but near him. They were good years, therefore, if we had our share of danger and hardship to the full, and must needs bear the marks of it ever after.
Presently, if we are careful, I may be able to speak to Offa of him again. Nay, but have no fear; I understand how matters are with Bertric, and will risk naught. I think we may find that Offa, who is friendly with King Carl, knows more of Ecgbert than you might guess." So that matter dropped, and I had done my errand.
Ecgbert bided with Carl the emperor, learning all he might of statecraft and of war until his time came, and well he learned his lesson. Then at last, through Quendritha's teaching, came the end of the Wessex line, and thereafter the fall of Mercia from her first place among the English kingdoms.
I think that Ecgbert envied me, with the same longing on him; but one could only know it from his silences, or from the way in which he would talk to me of all that I should see again. Two days before we sailed I was sent for by Carl himself; which was an honour indeed for me.
Moreover, it always seemed to come on the wrong day for me, when I needed to be most busy, so that over and over again Ecgbert had to ride out without me. There were plenty more of us in the same case that year, when we were hunting Frisian heathen rebels to their strongholds in their fens. "I must lose you in one way or the other, comrade," Ecgbert said.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking