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Updated: May 13, 2025
With him, too, was the great earl, and he begged my forgiveness for his doubt of me, though he was proud that his strange manner of finding truth was justified. Good friends were Ulfkytel and I after that, though he knew not that in my mind was the thought of Osritha, to whom he had, as it were, sent me. Now every day brought fear to me that Ingvar's host was on its way overseas to fall on us.
"Now it comes into my mind that hereafter you will know that I do not die for naught. For He whom I worship died for me. Nor may I refuse to spend life in His honour." Then they were silent, until Osritha found her voice and said: "We knew not that. I will not be the one to hold you from what is right."
And it was true, for there would have been no sign of joy among those who had heard the news that waited them there. I knew not how to bear this meeting, but I was not alone in my trouble, for nearer me crept Osritha, saying to me alone, while the people cheered and shouted: "How shall we tell Halfden?"
I would ask nothing of this matter, even of Osritha, having my own thoughts thereon, and not being willing to press her on things she might have been bidden to keep from me. She would ask me of my mother and Eadgyth, as they would ask the jarl of her, and I told her all I could, though that was not much, for a man hardly notes things as a woman will.
Then, though I would not ask in any downright way, I found that Osritha was well, but grieving, as they thought, for the danger of her brothers and of that I had my own thoughts. So with talk of the days that seemed so long past, we went on into Hoxne woods, through which Raud said that he had learnt we must go to meet the host in its onward march from Thetford.
So it came to pass that next day we sailed, Osritha taking her four maidens with her, for they would not leave her; having, moreover, somewhat to draw them overseas even as I had been drawn to this place again. And with us went close on a score of women and children whose menfolk were settled already near to Reedham. These were the first who came into our land, but they were not to be the last.
That, however, I would not suffer, seeing that there was Ingvar to be dealt with. My mother wept, and would have me not go. But here my sister helped me. "Bring Osritha back if you can," she said. "Soon will our house be built again, and we shall go, and you will be lonely." For Egfrid's father had owned Guthrum, and his house and theirs were nigh rebuilt.
But Osritha, knowing his ways, looked long at him, till he turned away again, and would not meet her eyes. "Now go back to your place, my sister," he said. "It is not well for you to bide here just now." "Why not? Let our friend tell me of Father also," she said wilfully. "Because I am going to do justice on Lodbrok's slayer," said Ingvar, in a great voice, swinging an axe again.
"I would that he were back," I answered, and so we ceased speaking. Yet after this, many were the chances I found of the like talk alone with Osritha before the weather broke, and we could once more get into the woods, hunting, and the men began to work in the ship garths on a great ship that was being built.
Then a new hope that came to me made me clasp Osritha's hand and kiss it before I must see to arming myself; but she clung to me yet, and I kissed her gently, then turning away sorely troubled went to work. Soon I was ready for Halfden's word, and Osritha buckled on my sword for me, for she had felt and taken it.
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