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"Surely not," he said, "for he was sore cast down once, on the hill, thinking him slain. But men had seen him remount and ride on, And Osric bid me, and all of us who seek him, pray Heregar if Heregar it be to come to him in all honour. Let me go and seek him." Then Wulfhere turned to me and asked if I would go. And at that the man made reverence to me, giving his message again.
Wulfhere was waiting for me, looking anxious; but his brow cleared as he saw me, and he asked for the news, saying that he feared I had fallen into the wrong hands. Then I told him I had, as I thought, no more to fear, showing him the sheriff's ring and telling him of my errand. "That is nigh as good as inlawed again," he said gladly. "Anyway, you ride as the sheriff's man now."
At that we were fain to laugh, so dismally did the broad-shouldered Mercian blame himself. But the bishop said that if I went, needs must that he came also. But he did not dissuade me in any way. "Wulfhere the Counsellor," he said then, "have you no plan?" "To cross the river?" answered the veteran. "Aye, many, if they may be managed. Rafts for those who cannot swim, surely."
So he too laughed, and went back to the bishop; and I found Wulfhere and Wislac, and soon I was one of my own sort again, and the bad past seemed very far away. But Wislac looked at me and said: "You have spoilt a fine tale I had to take home with me; but maybe I need not tell the ending.
Beside me trotted the collier, Wulfhere was leading, and next to Alswythe and me came the two maidens. After them came the three men and two boys, all mounted, and leading with them the other three horses of the twelve we had brought from Stert. They were laden with things for the journey given by the prioress, and with what they had saved from Matelgar's hall, though that was little enough.
Wait a little, and we will think it over." Now at that Wulfhere looked glad, for I think he feared rather than desired reward. Now came my turn, and my face flushed, and I was a little frightened, for there was but one thing I wanted, and I feared that that might not be. But the king made a step towards me and took me by the hand, looking hard at me.
And I knew that maybe he was right, and asked his help; whereupon that was freely given, and in such sort that all my life long I must mind the words he said, and love him in the memory. When all that was said he would have me hear mass with him, as though I needed urging. And there, too, were Wulfhere and Wislac; and that mass in the great abbey was the most wonderful I ever heard.
And her words were so sweet and gracious that even the old warrior could not find wherewith to answer her, and we both bowed our heads in thanks, and rode, one on each side of her, in silence. Then she must ask Wulfhere what he would do when she was safely bestowed. And that was a plain question he could answer well.
And Wulfhere and I tried a little to overpersuade her, but then a groom came to say that all was ready. And, truly, no time must be lost, if we would get off safely. Then I said that it would be safe to go to Bridgwater, for then we should be behind the levy, and that the Danes must cut through that before reaching us.
So talking with him, Wulfhere called me, and I must needs say farewell to Turkil and his father, and they bade us return, when the time came, by this way back to our own place. And Turkil wept, and would fain have gone with us, but I promised to see him again, and waved hand to him before the broad meadows of the mark were passed, and the woods hid the village from us.
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