However, Edgar had a horror of lawlessness. Ma would always argue with those in authority but never cheat them. Lawlessness was represented by the Vikings who had killed Sunni, and by Ironface the outlaw, and by people such as Wynstan and Degbert, who robbed the poor while pretending to care for their souls. The best people were rule keepers, clergymen such as Aldred and nobles such as Ragna.

Edgar sighed. “Yes, I’m the spy,” he said. “And Bishop Wynstan has just arrived.”

Den said: “Good.” He glanced up. Little sky was visible between the leaves, but the strong light of noon had softened to a late afternoon radiance.

Edgar answered Den’s unspoken question. “They won’t get much done in the forge today. It will take time to heat the fire and melt down the pennies.”

“So they’ll start tomorrow.”

“I’d guess they’ll be in full swing by midmorning.”

Den looked uneasy. “We can’t take any chances. Can you check on their progress and let us know when it’s a good time for us to raid?”

“Yes.”

“Will they let you into the workshop?”

“No, but that’s how I’ll know. I sometimes talk to the jeweler while he’s working. We discuss tools and metals and—”

“How will you know?” Den interrupted impatiently.

“The only time Cuthbert closes his door is when Wynstan is there. So I’ll knock and ask for Cuthbert. If I’m turned away that will mean they’re doing it.”

Den nodded his graying head. “Good enough,” he said. “Come and let me know. We’ll be ready.”

That evening Wynstan went around the hamlet and gave every household a side of bacon.

Before breakfast next morning Cuthbert went into his workshop and started a fire, using charcoal, which burned hotter than wood or coal.

Wynstan made sure the outer door of the workshop was closed and barred, then stationed Cnebba outside to stand guard. Finally he handed Cuthbert an ironbound chest full of silver pennies.

Cuthbert took a large clay crucible and buried it in the charcoal up to the rim. As it heated, it gradually turned the red color of the sun at daybreak.

He combined five pounds of copper, in thin slices cut off a cylindrical ingot, with the same weight of silver pennies, mixing them thoroughly, then poured the metal into the crucible. He boosted the flames with a pair of bellows, then as the mixture melted he stirred it with a puddling stick. The wood scorched in the hot metal, but that did no harm. The clay crucible continued to change color, becoming the bright yellow of the sun at noon. The molten metal was a darker shade of yellow.

On his workbench he arranged ten clay molds in a row. Each when full to the brim would hold a pound of the molten mixture: Wynstan and Cuthbert had established this, some time ago, by trial and error.

Finally Cuthbert took the crucible out of the fire, using two pairs of long-handled tongs, and poured the mixture into the clay molds.