"That will Thormod tell you, therefore," I answered. "As for me, I came at Halfden's bidding, which Thormod told me."
"What did Halfden bid you come here for?"
"To take Osritha his sister into safety and peace again. Suffer me to do so," I said, boldly enough, but yet quietly.
Now Ingvar looked fixedly at me from under his brows, and I gave back his look. Yet there was no silent defiance between us therein.
"Take her," he said at length; "you have saved her from these Jomsburgers, and you have the right. Take her where you will."
"Do you come back with us, King?" I asked him, giving him no word of thanks, for I owed him none.
"Tell Guthrum from me that I shall never set foot in England again. Tell him, if you will, that our shores here need watching against outland foes, and that I will do it. Let him settle his kingship with Hubba and Halfden."
Then he paled and looked beyond me, adding in a low voice: "Eadmund is king in East Anglia yet."
Now I answered him not, fearing lest his terror should come on him again. And slowly he slipped from his arm the great gold bracelet that he had so nearly given Eadgyth.
"Tell your people that never should a bridal train cross the Bridge of the Golden Spurs on the way to the church while the brook flows to the sea, lest ill should befall both bride and groom, because thus found I Eadmund the King, whose face is ever before me by night and day. Take this gold, I pray you, Wulfric, and lay it on the tomb where his bones are, in token that he has conquered--and let me fight my shame alone till I die."