“Which you evidently did not. May a plain soldier ask you now why you seek King Edgar?”
“Because,” said Alfred, “my father has been murdered, and my brother made a prisoner by Redwald, the captain of King Edwy’s hus-carles, who holds our house, and has driven us all out.”
“Your father murdered! Your family expelled! Your brother a prisoner! These are strange news.”
“Why this delay!” cried another speaker, riding up from behind. “The king is impatient to get on. Ride faster.”
“The king!” cried Alfred. “Oh, lead me to him.”
“Who is this,” demanded the second officer, “who demands speech of the royal Edgar?”
“Alfred of Æscendune. He tells us that the infamous Redwald holds the fortified house there, has murdered the thane Ella, and expelled the family, save the brother, whom he holds to ransom.”
“No, not to ransom,” cried Alfred. “It is his life that is threatened. Oh, take me to Edgar!”
“He is close behind, in company with the Ealdorman of Mercia and Siward of Northumbria.”
“Stay behind with him, Biorn, and let us continue our route. You may introduce him to the king, if he will see him.”