[King Alfred’s Viking by Charles W. Whistler]@TWC D-Link book
King Alfred’s Viking

CHAPTER I
15/18

The blow we felt was that which Sigurd struck when he broke free." Then at last Einar spoke, and his voice was strange: "I have left my brother unhonoured, and he is angry.

What must be done ?" Now I cannot tell what hardiness took hold of me, but it seemed that I must needs go back and see more of this.

I was drawn to do so, as a thing they fear will make some men long to face it and know its worst, not as if they dared so much as when they must.
"I think we should have waited to ask Sigurd that," I said; and Einar looked strangely at me.
"Would you have us return ?" he asked.
"Why not ?" said I."If the great jarl has called us as it seems, needs must that we know what he wills." Then said Thord: "I helped to lay him in that place, and I mind how he looked at that time.

Somewhat we left undone, doubtless.

I dare not go back." Einar looked at the hills, leaning his chin on his hand, and said slowly, when Thord had done: "That is the first time Thord has said 'I dare not.' Now I would that I had stayed to fight Harald and fall under his sword before.
I too must say the same.


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