I thought that the troubles of the time passed lightly on the proud lady and the boy, whose learning was all that she cared for.
"Come near, Redwald, my son," the king said, in his voice that had grown so faint of late.

"I have a charge to lay on you." I went and knelt by him, and he put his hand on my shoulder, and the tears came to my eyes at the kindly touch, for it was the same as, and yet so unlike, that which had been a promise of friendship to me at the first time that I saw him.
"All things are slipping from me, Redwald," the king said; "nor is there aught that I grieve to lay down when the day comes on which I must pass through the gate of death.

Crown and sceptre have been heavy burdens to me, for with them has been the weight of the sword also.

I have borne those ill, and used that cruelly.

I am the Unredy; but I have listened to ill counsels, having none of my own, nor wit to see what was best." He ceased for faintness, and my heart ached to hear him speak thus to me, his servant.