I suppose that it is always so with what one has not seen since childhood, and for me it was as well.

I felt no shadow of regret for the choice I had made.
So after the foundation was laid with all due rites, I went back to the king and found him at Chippenham, for he was passing hither and thither about his realm, as was his wont, biding for weeks or maybe months here, and so elsewhere, to see that all went well.

And I knew that in Erpwald and his mother I left good and firm friends behind me, and that all would be done as I should have wished.

Ay, and maybe better than I could have asked, for what Erpwald took in hand in his plain single-heartedness was carried through without stint.
Through Chippenham come the western chapmen and tin traders, and so we had news from the court at Exeter that all was well and quiet, and so I deemed that there was no more trouble to be feared.

It seemed as if Owen had taken his place, and that every foe was stilled.
And yet there grew on me an uneasiness that arose from a strange dream, or vision, if you will, that came to me one night and haunted me thereafter, so soon as ever my eyes closed, so that I grew to fear it somewhat.