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Updated: May 15, 2025
"Mostly the Mercians care little to follow us. There lies our mistake." "Then it may be that Gymbert is after us," said I, "and this has happened because he knows that we are here. He is doing Quendritha's bidding." "Not likely in the least," said Kynan; "it is just a cattle affair. It is my fault for suggesting a raid last evening. I would go, though Jefan had no mind for it." "Wrong, brother.
We have found, at least, the cart Gymbert used, and it cannot be far thence. We think that the cart was left close to the hiding place." Then one of the priests said eagerly: "Father, the moon lies bright on all the meadows, and we might well seek in the place the thane has found. This is a thing done at night in most seemly wise, as I think." "Ay," answered the archbishop thoughtfully.
Then was a yell from the Welsh, and past us back they came with a rush that told of hate for Gymbert. For a moment the longing to get but one blow at that villain took hold of me, and I half turned also. "No, no," said Hilda at my side, and I remembered I might not go from her. So I passed through the water, and on the far bank turned to see what I might.
Then it was to be seen who should win the honour of first spear to touch that dun hide. Gymbert was already waiting his time, wheeling his horse round to find an opening among the hounds, and Sighard cried to him to let us have a chance, laughing. Whereon he reined his horse back somewhat, and we paid no more heed to him. One has no time to mind aught behind one when the boar is at bay.
And soon I had no arrows to waste on anything less than a stag of ten, leaving aught else to be dealt with by the foresters behind me. Once or twice Gymbert rode across the rear of the line, and called to me in cheery wise as he did so. He seemed to be seeing that no man was out of his place; which was somewhat needful, since as we drew together the arrows must be aimed heedfully.
But you say this message is from Offa?" "Ay. You have here with you a Frankish thane, so called, being a Wessex man in disguise, a heathen Dane his servant, and a girl, escaped thrall of the queen. Doubtless you have apprehended them for us, and I only need ask you to give them up." "This needs no answering, Gymbert. You never were known as a truth teller.
Whereon he told all, and it is an evil tale." He paused, and wiped his forehead, looking round as if he would have any man but himself tell it; but none else spoke. "Yesterday Gymbert's men sawed the floor through and made this trapdoor. Then they waited underneath, and the king fell, as they had expected, into the ready arms that waited him. There were Gymbert and half a dozen of his men.
Now, while we waited there and doubted, word came from Gymbert secretly to Quendritha that her bidding had been done, and that Ethelbert stood in her way no longer. In the darkness a thrall crept to where the queen sat at a window and watched, and made some sign which she understood, and then in a little while our waiting was at an end.
The one thing that the man begged us was that he might not be delivered to the king. And he said that Gymbert and his men would hide till Offa's wrath was past." "There is but one other at whose word this could have been done," I said. "Ay," said Witred, "I know. Yet Ethelbert was to be the bridegroom of our princess.
After that we had no more fear of Gymbert and his men, and went easily. In that time I heard what had happened in the palace, and how this strange meeting had come about. "Offa the king has shut himself up, and will see no man," Hilda said. "Nor will he go near the queen or suffer her to see him.
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