he host."

I knew somewhat, I thought, of the reason for this, and so did
Cyneward, but passed that over. Now nothing seemed more plain to me
than that Halfden meant that I should seek Osritha.

"What is Halfden doing?" I asked. "Will he not go back to your own
land?"

"Why, no. For he takes Northumbria as his share of what we have
won. Hubba is there now. But we fight to gain more if we may, and
if not, to make sure of what we have. One way or another Ethelred's
power to attack us must be broken."

"So Halfden bides in England. What meant he by his message?"

"Why, Wulfric, if you cannot see I will not tell you."

"What of Ingvar?"

"Now, Wulfric," said Thormod, "if I did not know that you at least
were not afraid of him, I should say that he was best left alone.
But as neither you nor I fear him, let us go and see what may be
done."

"Let me think thereof," said I, not yet daring to make so sure of
what I most wished.

"Shall I tell Osritha that Wulfric thought twice of coming to see
her?"

"That you shall not," I cried; "I do but play with my happiness.
Surely I will go, and gladly. But will she welcome me?"

"Better come and see concerning that also," he answered, laughing a
little, so that one might know what he meant.

"Let us go at once on this tide," I said, starting up.

"Not so fast now, comrade," laughed Thormod. "Would you come again
half starved, as last time, into the lady's presence?"

Then I called Cyneward, but when he rose up and came to us, Thormod
stared at him, crying:

"You here, Raud! I thought you were with Ingvar."

"Aye, Thormod, I am here--at least Cyneward, who was Raud, is with
Wulfric."

"Ho! Then you have turned Christian?"

"Aye," answered Cyneward, flushing, though not with shame, for it
was the first time he had owned his faith to one of his former
comrades.

"Now I thought this likely to happen to some of us," said Thormod,
not showing much surprise, "if maybe it is sooner than one might
have looked for. However, that is your concern, not mine. Keep out
of Ingvar's way, though."

"I bide here with Wulfric," he answered, having paid no heed to our
low-voiced talk.

"Wulfric sails with me to find--Ingvar," said Thormod, and at that
Cyneward turned to me in surprise.

"Not Ingvar," said I, "but one in his house. Will you come with
me?"

Then he understood, and his face showed his gladness.

"This is well," he cried; "gladly will I go with you and return