What I do know certainly is this, that all which makes my tale worth the telling comes from this beginning.
[CHAPTER II. HOW LODBROK SPOKE WITH BEORN THE FALCONER.]
So soon as we had stepped ashore there came in haste one of our housecarles with word from my mother that Eadmund, the king, had that day come to our house from Caistor; so at once my father bade the man return and bring changes of clothes for himself and me and Lodbrok to our steward's house, that we might appear in more decent trim before our guest and master.
So we waited for a little while, watching the men as they berthed the ship; and as we stood there a word went round among the knot of people watching with us, and they parted, making a little lane, as they said, "The king comes". And then I heard the well-known voice of Eadmund calling gaily to us:
"Ho, friend Elfric, here have I come to see what a man fresh from a stormy voyage looks like, if light will serve me."
And so saying, I being nearest to him, the king turned me round with his strong hands, and scanned my rough, wet garments and fur cap.
"Truly, son Wulfric," he cried, laughing, "I think these things suit you as well as war gear, and better than court finery, in this dim light at least. Now let me see the thane himself."
Then my father would have him come back to the house at once, out of the stormy weather, for the rain was coming now as the wind fell; and we went, not waiting for the change of garments, for that the king would not suffer.
As we turned away from the staithe, Lodbrok took my arm, asking me where he might find shelter.