Lord de Burg
was received with the greatest joy by his wife, Guy, and Agnes. They had
been in a state of terrible anxiety for the last twenty-four hours, for a
swift ship had been despatched by the duke with the news of the victory, at
daybreak after the battle, and it was known that the fight had been long
and desperately contested, and that a great number of barons and knights
had fallen. As soon as the first outburst of delight was over the baron
called in Wulf and Beorn, who had not followed him into the room, feeling
that he would prefer to greet his family alone. Guy gave an exclamation of
surprise and pleasure as they came forward.
"These are my prisoners," the baron said with a smile, "if I can call
prisoners those who have never surrendered. The duke has intrusted them to
my keeping, and has ordered that you shall hold them in safe custody."
"Lord de Burg does not tell you, lady, that he saved our lives, which but
for him were assuredly lost. We were well-nigh spent, and were surrounded
by a ring of foes when he broke in and stood beside us proclaiming that the
duke himself had given a pledge for our safety."
"I have paid part of the debt we owe," the baron said, "though I saved them
at no cost to myself, while Wulf defended Guy at the risk of his life."
"How long do you stay with us, my lord?"
"As long as I can, wife. I went, as you know, unwillingly to the war, but
when all the Norman barons followed the duke I could not hold back.
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