His forefather had won them at that time, and now they
were worn by one who was surely like the Valkyries, for no fairer or
more wondrous to look on in war gear could they be than our English queen.
She would have gone even into the battle with Havelok, but that neither
he nor we would suffer. She was to bide here in the town until we came
back in triumph or defeat; and as men looked on her, they grew strong,
that no tears might be for those bright eyes.
Now I left them before the march began, for I and the courtmen were to
go forward and see where the foe was posted, and so bring word again.
And we went some five miles before we saw the first sign of them. Then
on a rise in the wild heath waited a few horsemen, who watched us for a
little while, and then rode away from us and beyond it. We followed
them, and when we came to where they had been, we saw that they had
fallen back on a company of about the same strength as ours, save that
there were more horsemen. I was the only mounted man of my little force,
and that rather to save my strength than because I liked riding. I
should certainly fight on foot, as would Havelok himself, in the old
way. It is not good to trust to the four feet of a horse when one means
business.
We bided where we were, waiting to see what these men did, and soon
beyond them grew the long cloud of dust starred with shifting sparks
that told us that the host of Hodulf was on foot and advancing.
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