Go now and take a message of good to Guthrum openly, and have no fear." "What shall I say ?" "Mind not that at all," he answered; "what is needed will come to you." So I said that I would go if Harek might come with me, for his words were ever ready.

But Alfred would not suffer that.

I must go without help from a scald, taking only my own words; and at last I consented, though indeed my only fear was that I might not succeed by reason of my slowness of speech.
Then I went to Osmund, and told him that I was to go into the town with him next day, for that is how Alfred planned for me; and I told him also what my part in the business was to be.

Whereon he surprised me.
"I do not know that your errand is so hopeless as you seem to think," he said.

"Guthrum has harmed no Christians in East Anglia since he was king there." "Well," I answered, "I hope it may be easy, though I doubt it." I would not say more then, but, being anxious, went and spoke long with Harek.