After saving Hunwald, Eivor hurried him to depart to Lincoln, quickly.
Hunwald:What horrible souls are hunting me? Me, the son of a beloved ealdorman! Was it naive of me to believe my status as a nobleman held some sway over the ceorls and serfs of this shire? What cause have any to dishonor me?
Before leaving, Eivor could speak to Aelfgar once more inside the longhouse.
Aelfgar:We need stronger leadership in Lincolnscire. We can't go on like this, waiting for our ealdorman to heal, or suffering the idea of Hunwald taking his place.
Eivor and Hunwald neared the shore at Botolphston.
Eivor and Lincoln approaching Lincoln
Hunwald:Look, boats there. We could sail the waters to Lincoln. Sink the ships of any enemies in our way!
While the rowboat lacked weapons, it sufficed for them to row up the relatively safe Witham River.
Eivor:What were you told when the guards exiled you?
Hunwald:O, scraps of nonsense. I woke to screaming. A man grabbed me, said I was an immediate danger to my father. Ha. Horsepucky! Mercian soldiers then shackled me, rode me blindfolded to the river Wash and told me plainly: start anew elsewhere or face death in Lincolnscire.
Eivor:What did they mean?
Hunwald:O, some nonsense about me praying for his death, hungry for his inheritance.
Eivor:Speak plainly, Hunwald. I can't help you if I don't know the full story. You hold no grudge against your father?
Hunwald:No, never! No, I suspect the order for my exile came from on high. Perhaps one of Burgred's final orders once he was deposed.
Eivor:That would surprise me. Burgred was battling Danes until the end. He had bigger things to worry over.
Hunwald:Perhaps you're right, he's too contained. It must have been King Aelfred, then.
Eivor:King Aelfred of Wessex? That's another kingdom entirely.
Hunwald:Yes, but Aelfred has a fearful hatred of the Danes! He must have heard that I am courting one! A beauty who knows no equal!
Eivor:Your Dane ladylove. Right.
The walls of Lincoln eventually came into view. Lincoln's guards were on the lookout for any unwanted visitors.
Hunwald:Here's Lincoln. The city of my birth, the cauldron of my present sorrows.
Eivor:Mercian guards everywhere. Follow me.
Hunwald:Right behind you, shadow-walker. My heart beats like the drums of your dragon-boat.
Eivor and Hunwald moving in low profile
Eivor and Hunwald entered the city.
(If Eivor was detected by the guards)
The guards recognized Hunwald and made to attack Eivor. She either killed or evaded them.
Hunwald:O how can a place I once called home look so alien to me now! So harsh and un-wanting. Fear not Lincoln, I shall make you mine again.
With cloaks drawn up, they slipped into the vicinity of the city walls.
Eivor:This town is your home?
Hunwald:It was, and should still be! O, to see it now fills my eyes with tears.
Eivor:Save weeping for prayers. We're not inside yet.
Hunwald:One day, I won't have to skulk around this town with my face hidden. I will walk proudly among the people I love.
After a brief silence, Eivor inquired further.
Eivor:How was your father the last time you saw him?
Hunwald:He was... quite poorly. But he has the heart of a lion and the holy spirit itself within him! A bout of illness would never bring him low.
Eivor:Did he think highly of you?
Hunwald:O, yes, yes indeed! The thegns and clergy of Lincolnscire are not fond of me, but they do not yet know me well enough. Not truly.
They followed the path leading higher up into the city running beneath a stately Roman archway.
Eivor:The people of Lincoln are not welcoming to Danes.
Hunwald:It's troubling, I know. Your folk are strong, hardy, noble! Creatures straight out of stories and tales.
Eivor:We are also a living people, Hunwald. More than a story. We are real and flawed.
Hunwald:O, yes, I am well aware. Blunt and stalwart, honest and true. I have a Dane ladylove with all those qualities, you know.
Eivor:You have a Dane lover... and she's a Valkyrie as well, I suppose?
Within the city, they overheard chatter from the locals.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:There's damp on the air. I fear gray clouds will gather soon.
Anglo-Saxon Woman 1:Aye. And foul deeds are brewing. The horses can feel it too, neighing and rolling their eyes.
Anglo-Saxon Man 1:That's them being horses, mate.
Some gossiped about the ealdorman, Hunwald's father.
Anglo-Saxon Woman 2:No one has heard from the ealdorman in weeks? What's happened?
Anglo-Saxon Man 2:Lord Hundbeorht is surely fighting the Danes to the north.
Anglo-Saxon Woman 2:No, no. He's made a pact with them. There's peace now. Ain't you heard?
Anglo-Saxon Man 2:Naw, that can't be true.
Eivor and Hunwald eventually reached the grounds of his family's estate, which he pointed out to her.
Hunwald:My home is just there. We've made it!
Eivor:Careful. The house is being watched.
Hunwald:What? Where?
Eivor carefully escorted Hunwald onto the grounds, avoiding the gaze of the soldiers and eavesdropping on them.
Anglo-Saxon Soldier:I have barely enough silver to buy peat from those bandit smugglers. They hoard everything.
Hunwald:I do, my dear Raeganhere. Body and soul! Tell my father, his son has returned, and in fighting form! It is urgent I speak with him.
Raeganhere:I'm sorry, lord, but your father has been taken.
Hunwald:Taken? When?
Eivor:Weeks ago, lord. And well ill he was when they carried him off. I wish I could say more.
Eivor:Have you looked for him?
Raeganhere:O, I dare not go asking after him, for fear of stepping above my caste.
Hunwald scratched his ear, his worries unrelieved.
Raeganhere:But he'll be in good hands, don't you worry. Up there with the abbess and her sisters and all.
Eivor:Who took the ealdorman? Was it soldiers or men of God?
Raeganhere:There were men with swords and those of the cloth. And a healer, too, one who had often been a guest in this house.
Hunwald:Galwyna. One of the sisters my father put great faith in.
Eivor:Did he walk out the door himself, or was there a struggle?
Raeganhere:He wasn't took, nor did he walk. He sort of limped his way on.
Eivor:On his own, or was he forced?
Raeganhere:On his own. It was the Abbess Acha who suggested he be moved. She feared his illness was fast coming.
Hunwald:He still has friends in Lincoln, that's a good sign.
Raeganhere explaining the situation in the city during Hunwald's absence
Raeganhere:BishopHerefrith among them. He's kept a vigil at the town hall, looking after things in your father's absence, until he returns.
Eivor:Will we find trouble there, at the town hall?
Raeganhere:You mean soldiers and the like? Aye, there have been many, many more about since your father took his leave.
Eivor:Right. We'll find a quiet way in if we can.
Hunwald nodded as both him and Eivor left for the town hall. Before leaving, Eivor could speak to Raeganhare again.
Raeganhere:I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours, Dane.
On the floor, she read a scrap of his diary.
Reaganhere's Diary
–My lord stumbled again and took to bed in the early noon, keeping to his tomes and scrolls. Made some commentaries on the former Kings of Lindsey. Was cheery, in spite of a full season of feeling unwell.
–Lord feels poorly today. Some food went down and then came up. I supplied him with water and mead. Same result. Hunwald arrived in the evening and stayed by his Father's side, talking loudly of a Dane lady he has befriended in the north.
–Another day of weeping and prayers. Lord says he feels as if he has swallowed a live hedgehog and a cricket and now the former deigns to chase the latter about his insides.
–Hunwald not seen for many weeks. His father seems not to notice his absence.
–Soldiers arrived at the behest of Abbess Acha and bade my Lord follow, which he did without complaint.
–I continue the daily chores, not knowing if or when I shall see my Lord again. Yet with so much time freed up, I dare note here that my Latin has improved with practice. To one day read the scriptures myself in the Holy Roman tongue would be a blessing indeed. I pray for my Lords safe return. But not so soon.
Next to the door leading out to the main street, Eivor found a scrawl of poetry from Hunwald.
Hunwald's Poem
The fairest maiden to sail across the sea,
With a blade in her hand and no time for me,
A delicate flower, her complexion ruddy,
With raw strength enough to beat me bloody,
Thy name is charming, as though God had humor,
The scent of a Dane is more than just rumor.
I am bound to thee, we go hand in hand,
Our love I will one day seal with a band.
Eivor broke the wooden bar over the door, leading Hunwald back outside.
Eivor:Who was that fellow?
Hunwald:Raeganhere? He's an old fixture of my family's household. Loyal to the end. He helps run the place, and he's known me since I was a little lordling. A simple fellow, but worth every pinch of his salt!
They winded their way up the path and reached the market at the highest elevation of the city.
Eivor:Lincoln seems a good place to trade.
Hunwald:Does it?
Eivor:The market is flush with goods.
Hunwald:Yes, it must be. Growing up, we never wanted for anything in my father's home. Bread and poultry and field fruits of all manner. I suppose this is where our servants purchased them. Lincoln's boon was ours as well.
Eivor and Hunwald sneaking into the town hall
Eivor:How often did you leave your house, Hunwald?
Hunwald:O, from time to time. Yes.
Eivor and Hunwald slipped into the grounds of the town hall adjoining the market, where Abbess Acha and Bishop Herefrith were discussing matters. Hunwald removed his hood and called out to them.
Hunwald:Acha! Herefrith! Tell Lord Hundbeorht his son has returned!
Acha:My lord! You're well.
Herefrith:Lord Hunwald...
Herefrith:We had no news of your return. You might have sent a messenger and spared us the suspense.
Herefrith:You should have sent forewarning of your return to avoid the violence that dogs you. Lives might have been spared.
Hunwald:Why so surprised to see my return, bishop? Was I rumored dead?
Herefrith:O, worse than dead. It is my reluctant duty to report the rumor that you were lost in the North, bedding a Dane of some squalid farm.
Eivor:I'm not the Dane he's been plowing. And I don't own a farm.
Hunwald:I know you mean well, bishop. But there's no cause to insult Swanburrow's honor. You leave my ladylove out of this.
Herefrith:Ah, your mystery Dane has a name. Sadly, the people of this shire will hardly be comforted, now that you have swelled your father's tolerance for pagans into a sin.
Eivor:I have no patience for insults and rumor. We've come to speak with Lord Hundbeorht, that is all.
Eivor:Hunwald came to me for aid, and I agreed to help. Whatever rumors you've heard have nothing to do with me.
Herefrith:I am simply worried that Lord Hundbeorht's wayward son is in danger of besmirching his reputation beyond repair. That is all.
Eivor:I have no patience for insults and rumor. We've come to speak with Lord Hundbeorht, that is all.
Eivor:I have no patience for insults and rumor. We've come to speak with Lord Hundbeorht, that is all.
Abbess Acha and Bishop Herefrith relay information about Hunwald's father
Abbess Acha and Bishop Herefrith looked at each other.
Herefrith:Lord Hundbeorht has gone, I'm afraid. He would not say where to, but I'm sure he will return shortly. Once the storm has passed.
Hunwald:What on earth do you mean by that? What storm?
Herefrith:Your father feared for his life, Hunwald. In his weakened state, he could not defend himself. Not against a Dane, certainly.
Hunwald:How dare you! Eivor is above reproach!
Herefrith:See this from my view, Hunwald! You arrive after a strange absence with a hired Viking in tow, demanding to see your father. This does not, in my estimation, imply benign intentions.
Eivor:Hunwald's seen the point of a dagger more than once this week. I'm only here to protect him.
Acha spoke to Hunwald directly.
Acha:Your father was at my hospice for some days, and very well treated. But he left in secret, that is all we know.
Hunwald:In secret? That's odd. He's not one to scurry about in the dark.
Herefrith:I'm sorry, Hunwald. We have searched high and low for him but to no avail.
Eivor:If I meant to murder you, these stones would be slick with your gore already.
Herefrith:Such violence, good heavens. God must have purpose for you pagans in His holy plan, but I confess to utter bafflement.
Acha:Hunwald, your father was at my hospice for a time, but he left of his own accord, without saying a word. That's all we know.
Eivor:Our coming here has nothing to do with you. This is a matter between the boy and his father.
Acha:I disagree. Everything this boy does concerns us. He's the son of our ealdorman.
Acha turned to face Hunwald.
Acha:I all but raised you, lad. Bounced you on my knee and taught you scripture. So when I tell you we don't know where your father is, nor why he left our hospice in his ailing state... it's because we don't know.
Eivor and Hunwald receiving no answer to the ealdorman's whereabouts
Hunwald shook his head.
Herefrith:Come, abbess. We should leave this young lord to his scurrying thoughts. There is nothing more of use we can say to him.
The bishop took his leave first. Acha patted Hunwald on the shoulder.
Acha:Take care, my boy.
The abbess followed after Herefrith, both remaining in the town hall.
Eivor:Stay within these walls where you're safest. I'll have a look around, see what I can learn about your father.
Hunwald nodded in agreement.
Hunwald:If my father spent time at the hospice here, the healers who work there may know something. Talk to them if you can. Find out what they know.
Eivor left to find out the ealdorman's whereabouts and conditions.
