Then we spoke of my promised place with the king, as if his victory were certain. Indeed, I believe that we both had no thought of its being otherwise.
"I do not know, however," said Osmund, "if your taking a Danish wife will be well received. It may be likely that Alfred will wish you to be bound to him by some tie of that nearness which shall be of his making."
I had not thought of that, but it was a thing that was common enough. Harald Fairhair was wont to give a rich wife to some chief whom he would keep at his side.
"If that is so, I shall go hence," I said. "There are things that come before friendship."
"Well," he answered, "we shall see. There is always a place for us both at Rolf's side in his new-won land."
"Yet I should be loth to leave Alfred," I said most truly. "I think that this is the only thing that would make me do so."
"Thora would not stand in your way to honour with him, nor would I," said Osmund.
"Honour with Alfred shall not stand in my way, rather," I answered. "But we speak of chances, as I think."
We said no more, and he bade me farewell.
I went back to Alfred somewhat sad, and yet with many thoughts that were good and full of hope; and soon I had little time to do aught but look on at the way in which the king's plans worked out most wonderfully.