Egelric makes an announcement

Egelric stood at the door of Alred’s study with a heavy heart. His lord was busy writing something. Egelric could not help thinking that if he’d only learned to write, he might have said this thing in a letter and disappeared without having to endure this meeting.

“Enter,” Alred said in response to his knock.

Egelric stepped through the door and bowed.

“Egelric!” Alred lifted his head and smiled as he tucked his letter away. “Have a seat, old man. I was about to send for you. How’s the baby?”

“The baby is well. I—I have something to say to Your Grace.”

“Go ahead.”

Egelric told him the tale he had heard from Father Brandt the previous night.

“Oh, Egelric,” Alred scolded gently, “not this curse again. You don’t truly believe you’re cursed, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter any more what I believe, lord. It’s what the people believe. I’m a danger to you in any case.”

“Egelric, it’s nonsense. It’s madness. I need you. We shall find a solution to the troubles with the people. All it will take is a gay summer and a good harvest, you’ll see they’ll forget all about the curse.”

“They won’t forget about my daughter. They’re frightened of her, and I… don’t blame them.”

Alred laughed. “That sweet little girl?”

But Egelric did not laugh.

“Egelric… What would you have me do?”

“Nothing—nothing. I must go.”

“Go? That’s the one thing I shall not allow you to do. I need you.”

Egelric looked away.

“Egelric, I command you as your lord, and I beg you as your friend: Don’t go.”

“I must.”

Alred sighed. “Egelric…”

“I’ll take Leda and the baby, and go far from here. Far from everyone who knows me. Far from everyone, maybe.”

Alred looked at him for a long while, but Egelric only stared at the floor. Finally Alred said, “Matilda’s cousins—King Harold’s sons—are in Ireland. She could write letters of introduction for you.”

Egelric nodded.

“Egelric, think about this a while longer. There’s no hurry.”

“What if they come and hurt Elfleda or my daughter?”

“I swear to you they shall not.”

Egelric shook his head.

“Mull it over for a week or two,” Alred suggested. “It’s a poor time to travel in any case.”

“I’ll think about it, lord,” Egelric said. “But I believe I’ll go in the end.”