Even Denewulf and Adiva looked inquiringly at the stranger who stood so calmly in their midst, and still drank not to the king. Egwina crept close to his side, fearful of his safety.
“Drink,” cried the Saxons again, “drink,” and they made a dash at him.
“Back! Would ye strike your king?”
“BACK! WOULD YOU STRIKE YOUR KING?”
[CHAPTER X—EGWINA GOES AS A MESSENGER]
“The king!” The Saxons fell back, their swords still half-suspended, and looked at him incredulously. Denewulf stood aghast. Adiva sank on a bench near her, while Egwina’s face lighted up in joyful amazement.
“The king!” cried the youth, Ethelred. “How wot we that thou art the king?”
“Know ye the signet ring of the king?” The stranger drew a ring from his finger. It was of massive gold, the bezel being engraved with a dove within an olive wreath.
“I know it!” cried the one called Athelnoth. “Once the king’s gerefa came to me as I abode in mine house at Taunton with commands for a palfrey for his lord. He bore with him the royal signet ring, and this is it.” He knelt before the stranger.