But I pined for the touch of that one who had tended me when I was wounded before, Osritha, whom I had learnt to love as she did so.
Sometimes I would think that between her and me had now risen up a barrier stronger than the sea that was washing our shores alike, because that of Ingvar's sister I might not think aught any longer.
And then I would set before me how that of these cruel doings nor she nor Halfden had any part, hating them rather, and so would comfort myself.

Long are the thoughts that come to a sick man.
Now it was not till February that I might take much heed of anything, but then I learnt that the Danes had wintered in Thetford, and that the land was in peace.

The war had passed on to the Wessex borders and then had slackened, as winter came earnest, and now the north and south folk, Dane and Angle, were foes no longer openly.

But Ingvar and Hubba were at Nottingham, waiting to fall on Wessex, leaving only strong garrisons in our towns.
Then one of the dame's sons would go to London for me, there to seek Ingild and tell him of my hap, for, the lad said: "Now that these Danes need fight no more they are decent folk enough, and will not hinder a man who has not whereof to be robbed.".