They came and bent before him, and he blessed them with uplifted hand; and then I think that the first word of what had befallen was told to him, for as the chaplain rose and spoke to him the archbishop started somewhat and knit his brows.  Nor did he offer to dismount as yet, but sat on his mule, seeming to question those before him, while his clergy gathered round him as close as they dared, listening.  The men who had been hurrying about the courtyard had stayed their footsteps, and there was a strange silence while the bad news was told.

Presently the chaplain looked round and spied us, and at once came toward the church porch and said that the archbishop would fain speak with us.

So together we went across the court, and with me came Erling.  Like us, he bent for the blessing of the archbishop’s greeting, and then we had to tell what we knew of the end of Ethelbert.  Ealdwulf would have it from us, as we were of the train of the young king.  And when we had told all in few words, he said: 

“I bide in this house no longer.  Not until the day when King Offa will send for me will I stand here again, save for sterner reproof than I may give to any while one doubt remains as to who wrought this deed.  Mayhap you men deem that you have reason to blame a certain one; but I need surety.  Now, I lay it on you that you search for the body of your king; and when it is found, bring him to me at Fernlea, where I will abide.  It is not fitting that these walls should hold him again.”

And then, taking that brazen cross of his into his hand as token of his office, there, in the open court for all to hear, he laid such a ban on the one whose mind had contrived and on those whose hands had wrought this murder that I may not set it down here.  But I thought that none who had any part in it could live much longer thereafter.

So he turned his mule and went away, leaving men staring aghast at one another behind him.

Selred and I followed him beyond the gate, watching how he rode with bent head, wearily, by reason of the trouble which had come to him, for he had loved the young king well, as men told us.  And after he had passed out of sight I said that I had hoped for help for Hilda from him.

“Quendritha would not have seen him,” said Selred.  “I do not know what he could have done.  Courage, Wilfrid! for all this is but a matter of last night, and even now the day is young.  Get to horse, and do as he bade you; and presently, when you return, I may have news for you.”

Loath enough I was to leave the palace, but yet there did not seem much use in loitering about here.  I should not see Hilda, and Selred would be more likely to learn what was amiss than I. He said, also, that if he heard of any danger to her he would seek the king straightway, and demand speech with him on urgent business, so that he should see matters righted.  And then a thought came to him, for I told him of the man whom we had bound in the empty chamber.