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Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise forMATTHEW HARFFY
  3. BY MATTHEW HARFFY
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Dedication
  7. Maps
  8. Epigraph
  9. Contents
  10. Place Names
  11. One
  12. Two
  13. Three
  14. Four
  15. Five
  16. Six
  17. Seven
  18. Eight
  19. Nine
  20. Ten
  21. Eleven
  22. Twelve
  23. Thirteen
  24. Fourteen
  25. Fifteen
  26. Sixteen
  27. Seventeen
  28. Eighteen
  29. Nineteen
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Twenty-Three
  34. Twenty-Four
  35. Twenty-Five
  36. Twenty-Six
  37. Twenty-Seven
  38. Twenty-Eight
  39. Twenty-Nine
  40. Thirty
  41. Thirty-One
  42. Thirty-Two
  43. Thirty-Three
  44. Thirty-Four
  45. Thirty-Five
  46. Thirty-Six
  47. Thirty-Seven
  48. Thirty-Eight
  49. Thirty-Nine
  50. Forty
  51. Forty-One
  52. Forty-Two
  53. Forty-Three
  54. Forty-Four
  55. Forty-Five
  56. Forty-Six
  57. Forty-Seven
  58. Forty-Eight
  59. Forty-Nine
  60. Fifty
  61. Fifty-One
  62. Fifty-Two
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Sixty-Two
  73. Author’s Note
  74. Acknowledgements
  75. About the Author
  76. An Invitation from the Publisher

Even before the priest replied, I knew the meaning of his words. He questioned the truth behind the vision I had claimed to have had when last I had petitioned the king in this very hall. I had spoken of seeing Runolf scything down the king’s enemies, a white dove flying over his head. It was perhaps this vision that had persuaded Æthelred not to kill Runolf. Daegmund had been forced to baptise the Norseman, but the priest had made no secret of disliking and distrusting him. And he had not liked the fact that I, a mere novice monk, had turned the king to my will over his.

“Why, lord king,” scoffed Daegmund, “don’t you remember young Hunlaf’s God-sent dream of this heathen defending the minster?”

I glared at the priest and felt a stab of guilt, as I remembered embellishing what I had seen. Runolf growled deep in his throat, scowling and taking a step forward. Daegmund shuffled his chair back, as if expecting the Norseman to attack.

“But he is a heathen no longer,” said the king, his tone jovial. “Isn’t that right? You yourself baptised the man.”

Undaunted, Daegmund tried a new tack.

“Neither, it would seem, is Hunlaf still a monk. Perhaps he has apostatised from the one true path.”

“What are you saying, man?” asked Æthelred, his smile slipping.

“Young Hunlaf here, came before you in the summer a monk. Now he bears a sword. Perchance he has lost his faith and is now governed by more venal desires.”

“Do you believe only monks and priests can have faith, Daegmund?” said the king, his tone as cold and sharp as broken ice. “For I am neither. Do you think I am no Christ follower?”

“No… no… of course not, my lord,” stammered the priest. “That would be a foolish thing to believe.”

“Foolish indeed to doubt one’s king, I would say,” snapped Æthelred. “Isn’t that so?”

Daegmund swallowed, his throat bobbing, his sudden fear a reminder of the dangers of crossing the king. Æthelred fixed him with his gaze and did not seem inclined to look away.

“I meant no disrespect, lord king,” said Daegmund at last, in a small voice. His lips trembled and for a moment I thought the man might weep.

“Besides,” said Æthelred, turning away from the priest, “why cast doubt on Hunlaf’s vision? It was proven right. They slaughtered the Norsemen, just as he said they would. Besides, I find a man with a keen mind and a sharp sword of much more use than a priest or monk. The clergy are fine if I want to pray, but most problems can be solved with a blade and quick wit.” He chuckled. “And silver, of course. Which brings us back to your request.” The king halted then, turning to face Daegmund. “Unless, of course, His Divine Worship has any objections to me making a decision on this matter?”