"Well, there is plenty to eat and drink," he said, "and good lodging in
the great hall or here, as one's post may be, and a silver penny every
day; but no fighting to be done, seeing that Alsi will sooner pay a foe
to go away than let us see to the matter. Doing naught is mighty hard
work at times."
Then he asked if I had arms, and I said that I would send for them at
once, and that settled the matter. If I chose to come with my own arms I
should be welcome.
"I am glad to get you," he said, "for there will be a crowd in the place
ere long, for the Witan is to meet, and the thanes will come with their
men, and there will be fine doings, so that we need another strong arm
or two that we may keep the peace,"
He took a long pull at the wine pot, and then went on, "Moreover, the
princess's Danes are sure to want to fight some of the English folk for
sport."
"What! is she here?"
"Not yet. They say that she is coming when the Witan meets, because the
Witan wants to see her, not because Alsi does. But he dare not go
against them, and so it must be."
Now Goldberga, the princess, was, as I have said, Alsi's ward, and was
at this time just eighteen, so that it would be time for her to take the
kingdom that was hers by right. It was common talk, however, that Alsi
by no means liked the thought of giving the wide lands of East Anglia up
to her, and that he would not do so if he could anywise help it.
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