“Have you not heard, noble Feargus, that the youth Edwy Sigmundsson with all his thanes have broken their prison, and have entered the king’s stable and taken therefrom seven fleet horses and are away. And the king is so wrath that all men are adread of him.”
“Seek no more, good Oscar, for here at your hand is the thief and the prison-breaker.”
“What mean you?”
“That I, Feargus, let the birds free and broke the king’s stable.”
“If thou wilt be advised thou wilt tell none other that news.”
“Thanks to thee; but the king hath an evil counsellor who will see my hand in this and will be ready to do my cause an injury therewith, so I will hie me straight to Penda and be beforehand with him.”
“Then may the gods defend thee, for never saw I the king more wrath.”
So Feargus turned him towards the hall where the king sat; there he found Penda, white with rage, fiercely pacing the floor. At his side was Osbert, who, as he turned and saw Feargus, started violently, for his name had been at that moment on his lips.
“Call in thy messengers, king Penda,” said Feargus, “for vainly they seek Edwy Sigmundsson; he is away, and he who set him free and broke thy stable for beasts to carry him and his thanes stands before thee.”