I was disappointed to learn that Bishop Cuthbert was not on Lindisfarena, but had gone to the west. I’d hoped to greet my friend and share the tale of my adventures. But that was one reason for my visit to the island before hurrying to my home village. The other was to recover my pack, which I had not taken on the campaign. It contained my silver ingots and the gold coin King Ecgfrith had given me. I knew it would be safe there, but I suppose it was only natural to experience relief on finding it intact and undisturbed.
With nothing else to detain me at the monastery, I decided to cross the mudflats and head for home at once. One of the brothers, who knew of my close friendship with the bishop enquired about my village in case Cuthbert wished to know my whereabouts on his return. I explai
