Guthrum turned to me.
"Well, King Ranald?"
"Alfred the king bids me say that he would fain treat with you hereafter as a brother altogether. And that can only be if the great trouble between Dane and Saxon is removed--that is, if Guthrum becomes a Christian."
Now I expected some outburst of scorn and wrath on this, but instead of that a silence fell, in which the chiefs looked at one another; and Guthrum gazed at me steadfastly, so that I felt my face growing hot under his eyes, because I knew I must say more, and that of myself and my own wishes most likely.
Then Guthrum said slowly:
"Why has he not sent some priest to say this?"
"Because he thought that a warrior would listen best to a brother warrior," I answered.
"Ay, that is true," said the king. "Are you a Christian, therefore?"
"I am as yet unbaptized," I said. "I have taken the prime signing on me, as have many others; but I shall certainly seek baptism shortly."
"You came here as a heathen, then?"