However, I am ruler in East Anglia by that right you speak of, and I have a mind to be as fair in it as I may.

Now, I think you can help me." This honest saying warmed my heart to him somewhat, and weary enough of his lawman's work this warrior looked.

Yet I was not sure that he would not try to use me to make his hold on the land more sure.
"Tell me in what way that may be," I said, therefore.
"Let me come and ask you of this and that when I am in a strait owing to knowing naught of Saxon ways.

Then can I say to a Dane, 'Thus says Wulfric, Lodbrok's friend,' and to an Anglian, 'So says the Thane of Reedham.' Then I think I shall do well, for I would fain be fair." "I will ever be ready to do that, Guthrum," I said; and I held out my hand to him, for I could not help it.
So he took it and wrung it warmly.
"Now must I go back to Thetford very soon," he said.

"Come back that you may be near me." "I must live here, in London now," I said; for I would by no means live with his court, nor did I think that he should have thought it of me after my words.
"Why not go back to your own place now?
I can see you often at Reedham." "That is an ill jest," I said; for I thought nothing so sad as going back to see that dear home of mine but a blackened heap of ruins, nor would I ever ask any who might have seen the place concerning it, knowing how the Danish ships had burnt all the coast villages.
Guthrum looked at me as if puzzled.
"No jest, Thane," he said; "why not go back ?" "To ruins--what good ?" I answered.
"Now I think you mean that you will not take your land at my hands," he said.
"That were to own you king." "Then, Wulfric, my friend, if I may call you so, that the lands of a friend are not mine to give and take I need not tell you.