Thus our journey to the sea was begun.  And of that journey I might tell much, for it was a strange one.  I think that the hardest task that a man could have, must be to take a proud and headstrong woman through a country full of danger, when she dislikes the manner of journey.  And when that woman is a queen, surely it is harder yet.  Had it not been for Elfric and Eadward I know not how we should have fared, for at times Emma the queen would not speak with me, if some plan that I must needs make was not to her liking.  And seeing that she knew nought of the meaning of either time or distance, that was often enough.  And when I heard of danger that must be skirted she would tell me that none would dare molest the queen—­that she would declare herself and all would be well.

And seeing that of all hostages to Cnut the queen would be the most valuable, that plan would be fatal.  I will say this now, that more than once I was obliged for very safety’s sake to give wayside folk, among whom we were, to understand that the abbess was crazed through the long troubles, believing herself a queen.

And, alas for our land! it was but too easy for them to believe it.  Few there were who knew not some wretched ones crazed at that time by all that had befallen them.

Well it was for us that the nights were clear and warm, and that the good Surrey and Hampshire franklins’ wives were compassionate and hospitable.  I could not now retrace our footsteps, for we could go by no road at times, but must take to the woods and downs.

And ever when we did so the queen rode sullenly, and angry with all around her, while Eadward and I and the two priests, who were valiant men enough, were ahead, scenting danger everywhere, for we had many a narrow escape of meeting raiding Danes.  The stragglers of that mighty host were everywhere.  I think that had we fallen into such hands I should have tried to send a man in all haste to the nearest post of the thingmen, that we might be taken again by warriors at least.

But the ladies bore the long journey well, and Elfric’s nuns the best.  I had little to do with them, having so many cares about me, and was glad enough to leave them in the closer charge of the abbot and his priests.  But soon I found that there was one of the three nuns who was untiring and ever able to hearten the rest, and that even the queen listened to her.  The dress made all five of the maidens seem alike at first, but in a few days the pleasant, cheerful face of this one seemed familiar to me, and it was fair enough for all the novice’s garb she wore.  I thought she minded me of someone whom I knew, and at last, finding out a likeness as I looked for one, I called her in my own mind Sister Sexberga, for surely she was like that fair friend of mine.  It never happened that I heard her name, for I was ever forward and away from the queen’s complainings, and the nuns spoke little even to one another.