Elfric spoke then in his gentle voice.
"We cannot blame you, my queen, for the blow is heavy; yet the chief who has taken us is a true warrior and kindly, you need fear nought."
Then came Egil from the fore deck, and bowed to the queen, and said:
"I must take you to Cnut the king, lady; and his commands are that you are to be treated as becomes the sister of Duke Richard. I am here to see that it is so."
Then the queen's mood changed, and she was once more herself.
"You shall answer to my brother for all you do," she said in her proud way.
"I have to answer to Jarl Thorkel and to King Cnut," Egil said simply. "The duke is no lord of mine."
Thereat the queen paid no sort of heed to him, but spoke to me.
"I will tell my brother hereafter of your great care for me, my thane. Why must you leave me now?"
Surely I should have asked Egil to let me stay, but he knew best what was safe for me.