“Go,” whispered the Danish woman, and Alfred turned and without undue haste made his way unchidden from the hall.
[CHAPTER XVII—THE WINNING OF A BUCKLER]
The time at last was ripe to strike the final blow. By his visit into Guthrum’s camp, Alfred had learned the numbers, disposition and discipline of the Danes. After satisfying himself as to the chances of a sudden attack, he had returned to Athelney and sent messengers to the thegns and ealdormen of neighboring shires, giving them a tryst for the second week in May.
Egbert’s stone, twenty-six miles east of Selwood, was the place of the tryst. The signal for the gathering of the forces was to be a beacon light kindled on the top of Stourton’s hill, where Alfred’s Tower now stands. The light would be hidden from the Danes by the range of Wiltshire hills, while it would be visible to the low country towards the Bristol Channel and to the south as far as Dorsetshire.
The time had finally come for the decisive blow to fall, so Ethelfleda and Egwina, whom the former had generously consented should accompany her, set forth, with Edward and Ethelred for protection, to light the beacon.
“Prithee, Ethelfleda, let me carry the coals,” said Ethelred. “Thou has carried them a long way already, and I fear that thou wilt be tired.”
“Nay; there is naught to tire me,” said Ethelfleda. “Besides, I wish to carry the embers, Ethelred. I like not to have other hands than mine touch them.”
“How strong thou art in thy purpose, Ethelfleda,” said the young man with admiration. “Naught deters thee from thy enterprises after thou hast entered upon them. Art thou never discouraged?”
“Sometimes,” confessed the maiden. “Yet, Ethelred, when once a purpose hath formed itself within my mind, I cannot loosen my hold upon it. Discouragements and doubts may crowd thick and fast upon me; but, I know not why, my purpose doth shine bright and clear through them all, and towards it I needs must wend my way.”
“I would that it were so with me,” retorted the young man. “But ofttimes doth happenings turn me from my purpose. Would that I had thy perseverance.”