Still, if we could get her to disguise herself thus when our guards left us it might be as well.

The Danes, did they seek her, would look for a larger party than ours, and would pay no heed to us, perhaps.
Now Olaf and my Colchester spearmen would be our guards even to the Surrey hills, for beyond them was not much fear of the Danes, who were advancing from Mercia, northward of the Thames.

Only in the towns were garrisons whom we must fear, for they sent out parties to raid the land for provender and plunder and to keep the poor folk from rising on them.
So it was my plan, and it seemed good to Elfric, to travel as a little party only.

So could we more easily escape notice, and take the byways, while an armed force, however small, would draw on us the notice of the Danes whose duty it was to watch against any gathering of English warriors.
We started that night as soon as dark came on, and the queen was pleased with the guard around her, and that Olaf the king himself rode at her side.

Men cheered him as we passed along the streets, and the queen deemed that the cries were for her, and drew herself up proud and disdainful as she sat on her white horse with spearmen before and behind her, and her maidens on either side.