Now there came to us as we stood and talked, a housecarle in a green cloak, and asked us if we had seen a warrior, wounded maybe, riding a great white horse, which, he added, had been Edred the Thane’s, who was killed.

“Aye, that have I,” said Wulfhere, “what of him?”

“Osric the Sheriff seeks him.  Tell me quickly where I may find him.”

“Is Osric back in the town?” asked Wulfhere in surprise.

“Aye, man, and half the levy with him.  The Danes will go away now.  Enough are left to mind them.”

Then Wulfhere stamped on the ground in rage, cursing the folly of every man of the levy.  And the housecarle stared at him as at one gone suddenly mad; but I knew only too well that his worst fears were on the way to be realized, and that soon there would be no force left on Cannington Hill.

Suddenly he turned on the messenger and asked if he knew the name of the man he sought.

“No; but men say that it was one Heregar—­an outlawed thane.  And some say that it was one of the saints.”

“Will Osric string him up, think you, if he can catch him, and it be Heregar only, and no saint?”

The man stared again.

“Surely not,” he said, “for he was sore cast down once, on the hill, thinking him slain.  But men had seen him remount and ride on, And Osric bid me, and all of us who seek him, pray Heregar—­if Heregar it be—­ to come to him in all honour.  Let me go and seek him.”

Then Wulfhere turned to me and asked if I would go.  And at that the man made reverence to me, giving his message again.

Then I said “Is Matelgar the Thane with him?” and he answered that Matelgar was slain before the stand was made.

Then I said I would go, if only to ask Osric for a guard to keep the Lady Alswythe safe in her flight.  And Wulfhere agreed, but doubtfully, saying that nevertheless he would make ready the horses and provisions for a journey, biding till I came back, or sent a messenger.

So I went with the housecarle, who led me again through the marketplace to that same great house whence I had been sent forth overnight.  All the square was full of men, drinking deeply, some boasting of their deeds, and some of deeds to be done yet.  But many sat silent and gloomy, and more cried out with pain as their wounds were dressed by the leeches or the womenfolk.  All was confusion, and, indeed, one might not know if this turmoil was after victory or defeat.

None noticed me or my guide, but, indeed, I saw few men I knew in all the crowd, for the men of Bridgwater and those of Matelgar’s following had fought most fiercely on their own land, and even now stayed to guard what they might on the hill.

Osric again sat in the great chair in the hall, as I could see through the open door, and round him were the thanes; but far fewer than last night.  And presently a housecarle spoke to him, and he rose up and left the hall.  Then they led me to a smaller chamber, and there he was alone, and waiting for me.