I
love not men of your nature, neither is it possible for me to forget what you
have cost me. Hatred would come much easier to me,--and I will not deny that
you will feel it if ever you give me fair cause for anger." For an instant an
edge of his Viking savagery made itself felt through his voice; then faded as
quickly into cold courtesy. "As to this which I now offer you, however, I
think few are proud enough to find fault about it, for I have called you
hither to be a Marshal of the kingdom and to have the rule over my Guards. Men
from many lands will be among them, and it is a great necessity that I have at
their head a man I can trust, while it is also pleasing to the English that
that man be an Englishman. Concerning the laws which I shall make to govern
them, Eric Jarl will tell you later."
"Marshal!" That then was what the mutter in the ante-room had meant. Sebert
would not have been young and a soldier if he had not felt keen delight tingle
through every nerve. Indeed, his pleasure was so great that he dared say
little in acknowledgment, lest it betray him into too great cordiality toward
this stern young ruler who, though in reality a year younger than he, seemed
to have become many years his senior. He said shortly, "If I betray your
trust, King Canute, let me have no favor! Is it your intention to have me make
ready now against this incursion of the Normans, of which men are--"
He did not finish his question, for the King raised his hand impatiently.
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