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Then Quendritha rose from her seat and took a beaker from the steward, and filled the king's golden horn from it. As she did so I saw Offa look at her with a little questioning smile, as if asking her somewhat; but she did not answer in words. She passed him, and filled the cup of the young king who was her guest, and so sat down again.
And even as we closed the ill-fated rooms behind us, from his own door came forth Quendritha and moved swiftly toward him. "My king," she said, "they told me that somewhat was amiss." "Ay," he said, and his words were like ice, "there is, and more than amiss. Get you to your bower, and we will speak thereof in private." He did not look at her, and went to pass her, almost thrusting her aside.
And so, maybe knowing only too well what lies behind the words of the queen, he goes his way, wrathful for the moment. And presently he forgets it all, for the spell of his love for Quendritha is strong, and by this time he knows that her longing for power is apt to lead her too far, in word at least, sometimes. But we knew naught of this.
I thought the best thing was to tell them the truth, and I told all the tale of the night's doings in as few words as I could, and at the end said that offence having been given to Quendritha, it had seemed safest for those of whom he spoke to get out of her way for a while. Whereat the thanes made no denial, but seemed to agree that it was the best way for all concerned.
Long ago the Welsh had bared all this hillside, and there was no cover for a foe as he came up the hill. Across the grass came one man alone, and that man was Gymbert, as I had half expected. It was ourselves whom he was after. Maybe his only chance of regaining favour with the king being through Quendritha, he was trying his best to pleasure her. Or else she had threatened him.
"Reach down your arm," he said. I did so, and he laughed again. "Very wet," he said. "But the lady?" "Very wet also," answered Hilda. "I pray you, sir, let us pass on, if only for that reason. I would fain get to the archbishop at Fernlea shortly." "Why to him, lady?" "Because even Quendritha will fear to take me thence." "Eh, but you are flying from her! Then speed you well, lady and good sirs.
It is not to be supposed that his thanes would hear one word which seemed to hint that he had had any hand in this deed; but it was plain enough that they feared what evil Quendritha might not have urged him to, else had they made haste to call him.
Take it all round, it was hard to see how Gymbert expected to take the place, or why he would try it at all. "Quendritha is driving him," said Kynan, laughing, when I said as much. "If that woman bids a man do a thing, he has to do it, or woe betide him. But it will be a fight, for a time."
Now, from all you have told me, there is a chance that through her daughter Quendritha may yet try to harm you." "I think she cannot," I said. "So far as I know, she has never learned where my home is." "Yet," he said, "go home and see how things are for you. Well I know that your first thought is for the Lady Hilda, and that is right. I am going to see your wedding.
She had much to say of her; and it seemed that the wedding was to be in three days' time, here in the palace chapel. But presently she spoke of Quendritha, and as she did so her face clouded. "I am afraid of her," she said at last. "She is terrible to me, and why I cannot tell. She is naught but kind to me. All the ladies fear her but one or two who are her close friends."
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