Part 28 (2/2)
”He has not come yet, my mother; and I grieve to say that we were deceived yesterday--deceived about the battle.”
”How so?”
”The king was defeated; he has fled southward, and there has been a great slaughter.”
”But Elfric?”
”No one can tell me anything about him,” said Alfred, wringing his hands. ”Mother, you must leave this place.”
”Leave our home--and now?”
”They talk of defending it against the forces of the Etheling Edgar, who has been declared king; and we should all be in great danger.”
”But will they stay here against our will?”
”Yes; for they say their lives depend upon it, that the Mercians scour all the country round about, that all the roads are now occupied and guarded, so that they can only hope to defend this place until they can make terms with the King of Mercia, as they call Edgar, who is likely to be acknowledged by all north of the Thames. The curse of the Church is, they say, upon Edwy.”
”Father Cuthbert is still here, is he not?--what does he advise? where shall we go?”
”He says we can have the old house in which he, and the ma.s.s-thanes [xxix]
before him, lived while as yet the priory was incomplete or unbuilt. It is very comfortable, and close to the church.”
”But to take him so soon from his home!”
”They will place him in G.o.d's house, before the altar; there could not be a better place where they or we could wish his dear remains to await the last rites upon earth.”
At that moment Father Cuthbert entered the room unannounced.
”Pardon me, my revered lady,” he began; ”but I grieve to say that your safety demands instant action, and must excuse my intrusion; your life and liberty are no longer safe here.”
”Life and liberty?”
”There is some foul plot to detain you all here, on pretence your safety requires it. I have been this morning to Redwald, and he refuses permission for any one to leave the place, a.s.serting that thus only can he a.s.sure your safety. Now, it is plain that if the place comes to be besieged you would be far safer in the priory or the old priests' house.
Our own countrymen would not injure us.”
”He will not detain us by force?”
”I would not trust to that; but we must meet guile by guile. I have pretended to be content on your behalf and he is just going to leave the hall, with the greater part of his followers, to collect provisions and cattle. I have told him that the Grange farm is well stocked; he has caught the bait, and is going to superintend the work of spoliation in person: far better, in the present need, that he should rob the estate than that a hair of your head or of those of your children should perish.”
”But why do you suspect him of evil?”
”I cannot tell you now. I have overheard dark, dark speeches. So soon as he has gone, Alfred and I must summon all your own people who are in the hall. We will then bring the body forth, and follow it ourselves; as we shall outnumber those left behind I do not imagine they will dare, in his absence, to interfere with our progress.”
”I will go at once,” said Alfred, ”and summon the household.”
”No; you would be observed. I am older and perhaps a little more discreet. Stay with your mother till all is ready.”
<script>