Is it likely that
they care enough about this peace to stick at so small a thing as man-
slaying?"
The Etheling replied without slackening his pace: "I do not think they are
liable to molest a peaceful traveller. I will take care that I upheave no
strife, and I will make all my inquiries of the monks."
"Go a little more slowly, lord, and consider the other side of it," the old
cniht entreated. "Suppose the message is false,--the black tress around it
proves nothing. Suppose the son of Lodbrok has spread a net for you?"
"Then should I keep on my way still more lustily," the Lord of Ivarsdale
answered, "for his making use of the boy's name to entice me would show that
he had discovered our friendship, in which case the youngling would be
suffering from his anger."
The old man plucked violently at his beard as the walls loomed clearer before
them. "Lord, you have already gone through some risk in leaving home. It is by
no means impossible that Edmund will fall upon the Tower during your absence."
"Edmund is too busy with big game at Oxford to have that trouble about such
quarry as I," the young man said lightly, "and the Gainer is not likely to
stir far from Edmund while land is being distributed." Then, sobering, he gave
the other a grave glance over his shoulder. "Even though the errand for danger
could not be accomplished, how could I do less than undertake it? Did not the
boy go through some risk for me when he betrayed his own countryman to get me
out of a hard place? Had they guessed his treason, they would have torn him in
pieces.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234