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Updated: June 27, 2025
There was a haze far out at sea, and a fog was coming in with the tide when we came to the mouth of Ingvar's haven; and rounded the spit of land that shelters it from the southerly winds. Soon we cleared it and then saw the town and hall above it at the head of the haven, and what my longings were I need not write.
I saw Ingvar's rage growing, and he cried as his men forbore, shrinking a little from their quiet victim: "Ask for mercy, Christian, at the hands of Ingvar the godar, the priest of Odin and Thor, and you shall go free." But the king met his gaze sadly and firmly, answering: "That were to own that you have power over me through your false gods." "Power I have," said Ingvar; "ask for mercy."
Then he called on the oarsmen, and they cheered and tugged at the oars, the men in the waist helping them, and my fore deck warriors gripping the bulwarks against the shock. Down we swooped like a falcon on a wild duck, and as we came the Jomsburgers howled and left their own ship, climbing into Ingvar's to fly the crash, while some tried to cast off, but too late. "Shoot!"
I asked. "Master," he answered, "they have gone back over the bridge, some of them riding forward towards Hoxne." At that I knew that some plan of Ingvar's was that his men after victory should cross the river at Thetford, and so perhaps strike at Framlingham where the king's household was.
But when the fear passed for a while by reason of the news from Northumbria, the time was fixed for the end of November, just before the Advent season, and not earlier, because of the time of mourning. So the summer wore through slowly to me, for I was sad at heart, having lost so much. And ever from beyond the Wash and from Mercia came news of Ingvar's host.
Many were the tales I had heard of the coming of Ingvar's host in the days of Eadmund our martyred king, who was crowned here at Bures in our own church, and those tales were terrible. Now the like was on us, and I saw that what I had heard was not the half. The old steward rose up now, shaking his head in sorrow. I think he was too old for fear.
Now Eadgyth noted not the war stains on Ingvar's mail, but it was strange and terrible to me to see him sitting there and speaking as though the things of a stricken field were not the last, as it were, on which he had looked. But Eadgyth's eyes were downcast, though she was pleased. "Thanks, Jarl Ingvar," she said; "often have I heard of Osritha.
Then I sent by this man urgent messages to the thane that they should fly coastwards, crossing the river Waveney, perhaps, so as not to fall into the hands of the host at the first starting, for Ingvar's horsemen would be everywhere south of this and Thetford.
Woe for us therefore, for unless a leader was raised up among us, surely all England must own Danish overlords! But I had heard Alfred the Wessex Atheling well spoken of as a warrior. However, what was that to us of East Anglia? We had been deserted by Wessex at our need as it seemed, and these Danes were as near kin to us as Wessex Saxons. "How did you come to leave Ingvar's service?"
Ingvar's face was black as night, and as he came he roared at me: "You here again! Now this passes all. Did I not bid you stand aside and hinder me not?" "Aye, King," I answered, coldly enough. "But I cross you not. I have ransom to offer for the king." "I will have no ransom," he said, very savagely.
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