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Updated: May 15, 2025
So it came to pass that before long Erling and I were together and almost alone; out of earshot from any one else, at all events, for Sighard was behind us with one or two more of our own party, and the Mercians whom we followed were ahead. "What have you done to offend this Gymbert?" asked Erling, of a sudden. "Naught that I ken," I answered.
Now he was more himself, and his eyes sought the pit and the room for all he might learn. I saw that he knew the spear of Gymbert, but he said nothing of it. It came to my mind that to his dying day King Offa would not forget aught that his eyes lit on in that place. "There shall be a reckoning for this," he said at last, turning to me with a stern look on his face.
Nor will I answer for the truth of it all, for part of that I must set down I did not see for myself; only the priests told me, and they heard it from the men who did see. This cart was old and crazy. I think that Gymbert must have taken it from some deserted farm, whence it would not be missed. It was open behind, and its wheels were bad.
Presently one of her ladies, who pitied me, told me that Gymbert had done the deed, as all men knew by this time, and that I was to be brave, for all this must have an end. And that end came as the sun set. I was with the princess, and Quendritha came in.
Your own name shall be free from so much as shadow of blame. Now I would that I myself had made an end before ever I said a word to you." "Had you done so Peace. Let it be. You set strange thoughts, and evil, in my mind, wife." Then she leaves him, and in her face is triumph, for Offa has forbidden her nothing. Outside the door waits Gymbert, as if on guard, alone. "All goes well.
"Mayhap she has drowned herself," said one of the men sullenly. Gymbert growled somewhat, and turned sharply, going back to the wood. The other men looked after him, and one chuckled. "Best thing she could do," he said. "Gymbert would surely have sold her to the Welsh." "Maybe made her his own slave, which were worse." "No, but he is out of favour just now.
Then there was a shout of warning that a boar had broken back. He came into the glade at a swinging trot straight for us. After him were two hounds, who kept him going though they dared not near him. And after boar and hounds came Gymbert himself, on horseback, with his boar spear in his hand.
His sword flashed out, and Gymbert was ware of bent bows on the rampart which had more than a menace for him. He turned his horse slowly and went his way, only quickening his pace when he was out of range. Just before that some man loosed an arrow at him, which missed him but nearly; and at that Jefan's pent up rage found a vent. "Take that man and bind him!" he cried to those on the rampart.
"So you have not been home yet," he said slowly, as if turning over some thought in his mind. "What if I asked you to help me in some small service here and now? You are free, and no man's man, as one may say." "Nor do I wish to be," I answered dryly. I did not like this Gymbert. "No offence," he said quickly.
His men were coming back, laughing and talking fast over the scare they had given their enemy. They had taken one horse also, in the first rush, but Gymbert had escaped. The chief gave a short laugh. "We were in time, indeed," he said; "but your coming fairly frightened our rearguard across the water more quickly than our wont. We could not tell who was coming.
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