The morning was beautiful.

What a poor way to characterize a day that began at dawn with a soft misty rain that cleared almost immediately to disclose a blazingly blue sky of amazing clarity. This is a rare event for us in Wessex. Both Elstred and I were excited as we mounted our horses for the morning ride. We were outside in the spring sunshine, and NOT in the scriptorium copying text for the monks to illuminate. I was more than excited. I was beside myself.

Thanks to my sister, I had a new cloak of dark green with a beautiful soft gown embroidered to match. Elstred told her mother she refused to be shamed before her father's people by a shabby companion. And the queen actually disgorged the garments from her own stock of finery. The girl knows her mother's pride well. The queen would not tolerate people thinking the less of her child for any reason. The king could not have achieved a better result had he ordered it.

We rode for awhile before reaching the birch woods. The magpies gather in groups of nine or ten, their long tails sticking out in all directions making the treetops look rather like the queen's pin cushion. There was a bird fight in progress and we stopped to watch. Tedmund, the captain of Elstred's guard, explained that the birds were males fighting to control the territory. One was an invader seeking to take the range and the females from the incumbent. The remaining magpies were spectators from other territories. Attracted by the noise they came to watch.

I find it odd that the ways of birds and men should match so well. Invaders come to take what they can. Trees and females… or land and women and gold. It is much the same.

We left the birch copse after seeing the loser driven away. After the soft misty green cover of the newly furled birch leaves, the bright sky seemed harsh over head. I suppose the harshness was imagined because my thoughts had turned to the Danes. We were safe enough in Winchester. But…the men of East Anglia had thought themselves safe in London until the Danes took that city. And in turn the Danes themselves were ousted by my father not many weeks before. Safety is a dangerous illusion.

At a word from Tedmund, our party turned back toward Winchester. The priest who rode at our side sighed with relief. I suppressed a laugh. No doubt the man had expected a sinecure when he was assigned as our new confessor. I could just hear Asser in my mind's ear exhorting him, "All you need do is convince the princess to take the veil like her holy sister Elgifu and all will be well. Work on the girl Aelgifu also, for she must be delivered to Canterbury with all speed."

I suppose it is superfluous to say that I despise all churchmen. If it were not for their talk of sin and damnation and scandal, I think my father would not be such a hypocrite and would treat me as his own. The new confessor can wear his rump and knees to powder. I will never willingly consent to enter the convent.

We rode almost to the city when over the hill, we spied a company of armed men speeding toward Winchester. Tedmund was alarmed at first, but then they slowed and approached at a moderate pace. Their leader reminded me of a hawk for some reason. His manner of looking around I suppose it was. He certainly did not resemble a bird in any other way. A strong man, solidly built with the frame needed to engage the enemy and win.

As he neared, Tedmund grunted in relief. "It's Stormbringer, returning with news of the coast no doubt."

I turned and asked, "Why is he called that?" I did not add that the name sounded delightfully heathenish in my ear.

Before Tedmund could answer, the company arrived at our side and the man himself was addressing us.

“Good morning fair ladies,” he said. “I am Oswald Stormbringer, King's Thane. I come for business with the King, do you have word of where I may seek him?”

Elstred smiled and introduced herself as the king's daughter. She named me as her companion. For some reason, I blushed when I met the thane's eyes. He smiled at me. Then Tedmund laughed and commented, "The lass here wants to know why you're called Stormbringer!"

The thane smiled more broadly and replied, "Some say it's because I storm around the countryside looking for a fight."

I wanted to ask 'if this is what some men say, then what do other men say?'--but my tongue seemed glued to the roof of my mouth and I could not speak. This has never happened to me before. I cannot afford to be shy in that manner.

Elstred filled in the gap and the moment was lost. We returned to the city. Our ways fell separate. But I turned to watch him as our horses were led away. I wondered if I would ever get to speak with him.