So began the work Humbert the Bishop foretold before he died, and that monk of his who saved his own life at Humbert’s bidding for the work, saw it, and rejoiced.

After this, in a week’s time, Cyneward and I took horse and rode away to London, for the dame’s son came back to me, having found Ingild, bringing me messages from him, and also from Egfrid and many more.  And all was well.  At that time I could not reward as I would those good people who had thus cared for me, but I would send presents when I might.  Yet they said they needed naught from me but to see me again at some time, which I promised, as well for my own love of them as for their asking.

We went unharmed and unquestioned, for all the land was at peace.  Truly there were new-made huts where farmsteads had been, and at the town gates were Danish axemen instead of our spearmen as of old.  Yet already in the hayfields Dane and Anglian wrought together, and the townsmen stood on Colchester Hill beside the Danish warriors, listening while gleeman and scald sang in rivalry to please both.

Little of change was there in London town, save again the scarlet-cloaked Danish guards and watchmen.  Few enough of these there were, and indeed the host left but small parties in the towns behind them in our land.  Yet those few could hold the country in peace, because men knew that at their back was the might of Ingvar’s awful host, which came on a land unawares, marching more swiftly than rumour could fly before it, so that not one might know where the next blow would fall until suddenly the war beacons of flaming villages flared up, and it was too late to do aught but fly.

Yet in our land was none to fight for.  No king had we to follow the martyr.  Ethelred had left us alone, and already in the hearts of men grew up the thought that the strong hand of the Dane meant peace.

In the house of good old Ingild, my second father, as he would have me hold him, was rest at last.  And there I found all whom I held dear gathered to meet me on the night when I came, for they had fled by ship, as they had hoped, and had reached London safely.

CHAPTER XV.  THE MESSAGE OF HALFDEN THE KING.

Now when I had been in London for a fortnight, Cyneward, whom Ingild would by no means suffer to live elsewhere than in his house with me, went to Guthrum as was his duty, and told him that I had come.  Whereupon he sent to me, asking again that I would speak with him.

On that I took counsel with Ingild and Egfrid, and the thane his father, and they thought it well that I should do so.

“This Dane,” said the thane, “is lord of East Anglia by the might of the strong hand, and it seems to us that we might have a worse ruler.  At any rate we shall have peace, and no more trouble with Danes while he is here.  As for Ethelred, he is no more to us.  Even if he overcomes the Danes in the end, it is not likely that we will own Wessex overlords again unless we must.”