Then young Godwine laughed also, and bade the king welcome most heartily, adding:
"You must tell me all about the bridge breaking presently."
"Nay; but Redwald my cousin, or Ottar my scald here will tell you more than I may."
"Redwald is an Anglian name," said Godwine, taking my hand. "Are you English therefore?"
"Aye, young sir, from East Anglian Bures, in Suffolk," I answered.
"Are you Edric Streone's man then?" he said, dropping my hand suddenly and half stepping back.
"I am not," I said pretty stoutly, for I was angry with Streone's way with Olaf--and with other ways of his. "Ulfkytel is our earl."
"Aye, I have heard of him as an honest man," Godwine said.
"Come ashore, King Olaf, and you other thanes, and there will be good cheer for you."
"Can you steer us into the haven, young sir?" asked Rani, who stood by smiling to himself. "We must have the ships inside the island while the tide serves."