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Yet almost did she weep, when I stood beside her and spoke, putting my hand on her arm. "Mother," I said, "I must go to Wormingford and warn them also. My horse will be ready, and I will return to you." Then she looked at me, for as I go over these things I know that this was the first time that I had ever said to her "I must," without asking her leave, in aught that I would do.
For the Danes swept us from the field at the last like dead leaves in the wind, and there was nought left us but to fly. Two long hours we fought first, and then came flight. They say one man began it. I know not; but it was no man of ours. Now the Danes are marching hitherwards to Colchester." "What of Osgod of Wormingford?" I asked. "He lies beside our lord. There is a ring of slain round them.
Will none come to greet me?" There was no answer, and Olaf lifted up his clear voice: "Ho, Ethelred's men! here is help against the Danes." Then from under the staging by the riverside where the boats land their cargo, crept two men and came towards us slowly. And one was that thrall of mine who would have gone to Wormingford for me on the night when we fled.
I would I were there also," the warrior answered. "Then were there one less to care for our helpless ones," I said. "All are preparing for flight at Bures. Come with me to Wormingford, and we will warn them. There is work to do for us who are left." "Aye, master, that is right," he said; "we may fight again and wipe out this business."
For at the great house just across the river below the hills lived the one who should be my wife in the days to come Hertha, daughter of Osgod, the Thane of Wormingford. It was now three years since we had been betrothed with all solemnity in our church, and that had seemed but fit and right, for we were two children who had played together since we could run hand in hand.
I went and loosed him, while a groom saw me and ran to help, and as I swung into the saddle I saw his face marked with new lines across his forehead. "Do you fly first, master?" he said, with strange meaning in his voice. "I go to Wormingford," I answered. "Likely enough, therefore, that I fly last," and I laughed. "Aye, let me go, master, let me go," he said.
I would go to Wormingford now and then to see that all was going well with the rebuilding of Hertha's home, for Cnut's gift was enough for that also, seeing that all one needed was at hand and did but require setting up by skilled workers. Our priest, Father Oswin, found me such craftsmen as I needed. "Let me rebuild the church first, father," I had said to him when I returned thus rich.
I do not altogether hold with these early betrothals; but what is, must be. Wait a little, and then when peace comes, and you can dwell, one at Bures and one at Wormingford in the old way seeing one another and learning what shall be best for both all will be well. Be content. Your place and hers lie in ruins. Why, Redwald, what home have you to give her?"
Danes hear everything in some way." "Well, you can tell me safely enough." "We think it is witchcraft of the old dame's, and that she and the lady Hertha live with the White Lady in the mere of Wormingford." Then I was fain to laugh, for it was witchcraft more than even Gunnhild could compass, by which she might find refuge in the depths of that bottomless mere where the White Lady dwells.
Many thralls stood at the gate of Osgod's courtyard as we came there, and they were staring at the beacon fires around us, and listening to the wild bells that rang so strangely. There was a fire blazing now on the green before our own house, and one on the hill above the Wormingford mere, which men say is haunted. "I would see your mistress," I said as they came and held my horse.
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