"I have my rounds to make, and I shall be glad of a companion.

Come with me awhile." So we visited the guard, and with them spoke of the fires I had seen, and laughed at the fears of those who had lighted them.
"All very well to laugh," said the captain at the gate; "but if the Welsh are out, it will be ill for any one who will ride westward tonight.

Chapman, or priest, or beggar man, he is likely to find a broad arrow among his ribs first, and questioned as to what his business may be afterward." Then we went along the ramparts to the rearward gate; and it seemed as if Gymbert had somewhat on his mind, for he fell silent now and then, for no reason which I could fathom.

However, he asked me a few questions about the life in Carl's court, and so on, until he learned that I was a Wessex man, and that I was not going back to him.
"Then you are at a loose end for the time ?" he said.

"Why not take service here with Offa ?" "I am for home so soon as this is over," I said.