"But peace has not come yet" I said.
"I can hide until it does come," she said. And then, for my face must have shown all the doubt that I felt, she spoke very kindly to me. "Trust the old witch who wishes you well, Redwald, my son; she who has nursed Hertha for so long will care for her till the last; safe she will be until you return to find her when the foolishness of Ethelred is paid for."
"Where can you hide?" I asked, and urged her to tell me more, but she would not do so.
"No man would dream of the hiding place that I shall seek," she said, "and I will tell it to none. Then will it be the surer."
"I know all this country," I answered. "There is no place."
She smiled faintly, and paused a little, thinking.
"I will tell you this," she said at last. "You go to the king; well--I go to the queen. That is all you may know. But maybe it will be enough to guide you someday."
I could not understand what she meant; nor would she tell me more. Only she said that all would be safe, and that I need fear nothing either for Hertha or for herself.
"My forbears were safe in that place to which I go," she said; "and I alone know where it is. When the time comes, Hertha shall tell you of it but that must wait for the days to be."
"I fear they will be long. Let me see Hertha before I go," I said, "for I must needs be content."