A few minutes later the tall Saxon
came out with an expression of utter bewilderment on his face.
"Is it really you, father, in flesh and blood?" he exclaimed as his eyes
fell on Ulred.
"I have never been taken for a ghost, Osgod, and if I were to give thee a
buffet methinks you would have no doubt upon the matter."
"But what brings you here, father? If they had told me that the great Abbey
tower stood without I could not be more surprised."
"Do you not see that I have brought Ulf with me, Osgod? If your head were
not so thick you would guess at once that I have come about the business
with which he was charged."
Osgod looked relieved. That his father should be in York had seemed to him
so strange and outrageous that he had first doubted his own eyes, and then
his father's sanity. Now for the first time the object of his coming
flashed upon him.
"Is there danger, father?"
"Methinks there is great danger. But the story is a long one."
"Then I cannot wait to hear it now, for I must needs return to Wulf. I
whispered in his ear that I must leave for a moment, but that I should be
back directly."
"Then just whisper to him again, Osgod, that I have urgent need for speech
with him. I suppose Beorn has not arrived?"
"Beorn!" Osgod repeated vaguely.
"The Thane of Fareham," the armourer said sharply. "Are your wits
wool-gathering altogether?"
"No, he is not here; nor has Wulf said a word of his coming, as he
assuredly would have done had he expected him.
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