I pray you remember that." I promised, and then she led me to her doorway; and there I left her, but not before she had thanked me again.

I suppose that to share a burden even with me helped somewhat to lighten it.

And in all truth I meant to do my part in watching, and if possible guarding, the king.

Perhaps it would be as the queen said, that being in and yet not of his train I might be able to look on at all that went on more easily.
To that end I kept my Frankish dress, though I had meant to take to plain Saxon wear once more, with the knowledge that none would wonder that Carl's man was kept near the king, and that in Offa's court I should not be taken for an Anglian of his train.
Now the day came when we should set out on the long ride across England to the Welsh border, where Offa had set his throne for the time.

As may be supposed, we went first of all on that morning to the church in the dim daybreak, and there heard mass and sought for blessing on our going and returning, and then I went and saw all ready for the ride.