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Updated: May 26, 2025
And Ealhstan knew my thoughts and answered them. "Black for the man of dark counsel, bright steel for the warrior, and silver-bright armour for the man who brings back hope when all seems lost." "That is good," said Wislac. "Now read us the meaning of the gold thereon also," for he seemed to see that the bishop had some meaning in that, whereat the bishop smiled.
Now shall you tell your story." But Wislac said he had nought to add to Wulfhere's tale, save that Aldhelm here had saved him at his own cost, and that he had had, moreover, as much fighting as he was like ever to want. But even from him Alfred gained many things about the fighting, and from Aldhelm also, and these he wrote down.
Now when he had read the first few lines, he looked up, and reading from the letter, which doubtless told him the names of the bearers "Heregar I know," he said; "which is Wulfhere?" Then Wulfhere bowed, and the king asked for Wislac and Aldhelm, and then for each of the men in turn.
"Aha!" quoth the bishop, "now know I why Wislac thought well to stop fighting the other day," which pleased the Mercian well enough. "Then, Wulfhere," went on Ealhstan, "here is this black armour and helm and shield for you, and sword or axe as you will." And Wulfhere thanked him, taking the axe, as his own sword was good.
He was very wet, and tired, throwing himself down beside us when he saw where we sat. Ealhstan asked him who bade him come, and how he had followed us. "Nearly had I forgotten a dispute I have with Wislac the Thane here. Wherefore I asked no man's leave, but followed you just too late for the crossing. So needs must swim.
So the bishop, not very willingly, as it seemed to me, let me go, as there was none else who could go direct to the point as I could without loss of time, even as Osric told him. Then I gave the standard into Wulfhere's hand, and must seek one to go with me. First I thought of Wislac, but he was a stranger, and then my eyes lit on my collier, and I knew that I need go no further.
"Wislac, the Thane of Gatehampton by the Thames, am I," he said. "A stranger here, having come on my own affairs to Bridgwater, and so joining in the fight. Also, Osric's thanes having trouble enough on hand, I rode with this letter." "Thanks therefor," said the bishop. "I see that you fought also in a place where blows were thick." "Aye, in the first fight," said Wislac.
So we bade the men sit down, and those who were wet made up the fire afresh: for there was no need to put it out, but rather reason for allowing the Danes to see it burning, as if in safety. When we three sat by the bishop, Wislac asked what we were to wait for, and, indeed, that must be the next thought.
Now knew I not what to say or do, but I knelt before the bishop and kissed his hand, and so he laid it on my head and blessed me, bidding me speak no words of thanks, but only deserve them from him. Now there was a little silence after this, and Wislac, being ever ready, broke it for us, "Much do I marvel," he said, "that these suits of armour should be so exactly fitting to each of us.
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