My men were eager to take advantage of the distractions offered by a large town, none more than Eadwine, whose glum features were attributable to me. I wished him to be by my side when I stood before King Guthred; alas, this did not tally with his yearning for soft female thighs and he came on sufferance. Before heading for the king’s hall, I saw to it that all the horses were adequately stabled and warned my men not to get into trouble over drink or women or they would face my wrath. After the dismemberment of Magnus the Dane, the darker side of my nature was something they wished to avoid; not that I would ever have used such measures on my brave lads!
The king was younger than I but his furious expression had me fearing the onset of an act of impulsive rashness at my expense.
“Are you
