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Updated: May 8, 2025
"Godred," he said; for the name by which the king had called himself once it was likely that he would use again. "I know of no thanes," she said, though not at once, so that I was sure she knew somewhat more than she thought safe to tell. Then she was going, but Harek stayed her. "Yours is a good spell against the evil eye, mother," he said, "but I can tell you a better."
Odda the ealdorman of Devon, and one Godred, have spoken to me of yourself one telling of help given freely and without question of reward or bargain made, and the other of certain plain words spoken this morning. Now I would fain see you, and since the said Godred seems to doubt if you will come to me, I ask it under my own hand thus.
Maybe he thinks that I shall be a good ally, and makes more of my power than should be. I told Godred the thane as plainly as I could what I was, this morning." "Why, then," said Neot, smiling, "Godred has told the king, no doubt." "I hope he has," I answered, "but I doubt it. Nevertheless it is easy to tell the king myself when I see him."
"I saw a thane here this morning who was anxious for me to see the king," I said. "A pleasant man enough one Godred." "Ay, Godred is pleasant enough," Odda said, smiling, "but he is a terrible man for asking questions." He laughed again, as if he knew the man well, and was pleased to think of him and his ways. "None of his questions are foolish, however," I said. "I was pleased with him."
The Saxon kissed it, bending one knee, which was doubtless right for him, as owning allegiance thereto. But I shook hands in our own way, saying: "Skoal to Alfred the king." Which seemed to please him, for he answered: "Welcome to King Ranald. I am glad my letter brought you. My counsellor, Godred, feared you might not care to come." "The letter turned the scale, lord king," I said.
Now, coming from bright sunshine into the cool shadow of the place, I was dazzled at first; but Kolgrim's eyes were quick, and we had hardly crossed the threshold, if I might call it so, when he plucked at my cloak. "Master," he whispered, "let me bide with the men; this is no place for me." "Hush," I whispered; "the king is yonder." "Ay, master let me go the king is Godred whom I jested with."
Then I too saw that Godred, as he called himself, was, as the scald had guessed rightly, the king, and I was a little angry that he had tricked me thus. But he was laughing at Kolgrim as he came, and my anger passed at once. King or thane, here was a pleasant greeting enough. He held out his hand to Odda first and then to me.
I would not be where men are jealous of me." "The only man likely to be so is Odda," the king answered. "You must settle that with him. It is the place that he must have held that you are taking. No man in all England can be jealous of a viking whose business is with ships. But Odda put this into my mind at first, and then Godred found out that he was right."
"I wot well that he who bides in Denewulf's cottage is a thane, for he wears a gold ring, and wipes his hands in the middle of the towel, and sits all day studying and troubling in his mind in such wise that he is no good to any one not even turning a loaf that burns on the hearth before his eyes. Ay, they call him Godred."
"I knew he went to the ships yesterday after Godred came back," he added, laughing. "He read my letter for me, and after that I had a good deal of talk with him," I said. "Then," said Sigehelm, "you have spoken with the best man in all our land."
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