Better than Gold by Theresa Tomlinson Read Free Book Online Page B

hovered in the doorway, to allow them privacy.
    â€˜My poor son,’ his mother said. ‘Your courage has brought about this peace. Do you suffer very much, being forced to live with wicked pagans?’
    â€˜They treat me kindly,’ Egfrid said. ‘I have my own gelding and hound.’ He wished his father would speak, rather than watch him darkly from the other side of the room.
    At last Oswy looked up.
    â€˜ Never trust them,’ he said. ‘This peace may not hold, for I will never believe the word of any Mercian, and neither Oswin the Perfect nor Ethelwald are all they seem to be.’
    Egfrid nodded, knowing that his father was right to doubt their loyalty.
    â€˜Londesbrough should be mine,’ Oswy said, as he glanced around him at the strongly built oak beams and rich wall hangings. ‘My brother ruled both Deira and Bernicia. Your mother is the daughter of Edwin of Deira. I have a better right to rule here than the Perfect One ever had.’
    Eanfleda sighed. ‘But surely this chance for peace must make it worth giving a little,’ she said.
    â€˜We give too much,’ Oswy said sharply. Then he seemed to recollect his son’s vulnerable position. ‘Keep Chad at your side,’ he said. ‘For there at least is one you can trust. Your mother has brought vellum and ink to help you in your lessons.’
    Egfrid sighed. He wished they’d brought Woodruff instead, but he thanked them politely as Chad gathered up the vellum rolls and sealed inkhorns, and put them carefully into his leather scrip.
    The sounding of horns announced the final meal. Eanfleda kissed her son again and Egfrid’s brief moment with his parents was over. They made their way to the great hall and took their places for the last feast.

    The following morning, Alchfled was given a box of jewels and a gift of land from Prince Beorn, as her morning-gift. This finalised the wedding ceremony and made them husband and wife, for good or ill. The bride blushed and smiled in a way that surprised Egfrid. Perhaps it would not be so bad a thing to have his sister with him at the Mercian court.
    Queen Eanfleda came to him as the Mercians mounted up to leave. ‘Dear boy, stay strong and pray to the Christ-God that you will soon be released. I pray for it every day.’
    â€˜I will be strong, Mother,’ he agreed.
    Then she dropped her voice and whispered, ‘Don’t fret that your father doesn’t come to say farewell. He cannot bear to let them see that he suffers by your exile…and he does suffer greatly. He is deeply humiliated to see you as Penda’s foster-son.’
    Egfrid swallowed hard. ‘But I am not humiliated by it. Queen Cynewise is my friend.’
    â€˜ Yes.’ Eanfleda nodded. ‘She is a good woman, almost as good as her sister. If only she knew the true faith then she would be truly good.’
    This mild criticism of the Mercian queen rankled. Egfrid kissed his mother and swung himself up onto Golden-mane’s back, feeling strangely eager to ride away.
    The journey-mead was drunk, horns blared, and the Mercian cavalcade moved off. Egfrid saw tears on his sister’s cheek and urged his horse forward to ride at her side.
    â€˜Don’t fear, sister,’ he said. ‘I have much to show you at Tamworth.’
    â€˜Dear, brave little brother,’ she said. ‘You will be a comfort to me. Will you come to pray with me in Mercia? I mean to build a Christian church on the land that Beorn has given me—will you help with my plans?’
    Egfrid smiled reassuringly at her, but when she fell silent he allowed his horse to drop back to ride beside Chad and Fritha.
    â€˜I tried to cheer my sister,’ he told the monk. ‘But I think you could bring her more comfort than me.’
    Chad urged his mare forward, while Egfrid fell in with Fritha.
    â€˜ How is that hound of yours doing?’ she asked.
    Egfrid smiled. ‘He