This is Eadmund of East Anglia." "You know him well, as one may see by his way with you," said the jarl.
"Surely, for he is my father's close friend.

They were comrades together in King Offa's court until the old king laid down his crown and gave the kingdom into Eadmund's hands; and they are the same to each other now as ever.

He is my godfather; and I was in his court till I was eighteen.

Moreover, I am one of his armour bearers yet when need is." So I spoke plainly enough, for I think that I had, and ever shall have, reason to be proud of our nearness to the king, of whom no man had but good to say since he, almost as a boy, came to the throne.
"So then it seems that fate has brought me to court," said the Dane.
"Yes, in a way," I told him; "for the king will ever bide with us when he would visit this side of his kingdom." "I think that I have seen this king before," said Lodbrok presently; "for he is a man the like of whom one sees not twice." "Then," said I, "he will surely remember you, for he never forgets one whom he has had reason to notice." Whereat the jarl laughed a little to himself; but I had no time to ask why, for now we were come to the great door; and when my father would have let the king go in first Eadmund laughed at him, and took his arm and drew him in with him, so that there was a little delay, and we drew close.
Very bright and welcome looked the great oaken hall as we came in from the dark, rainy night.

A great fire burnt on its stone hearth in the centre, and the long tables were already set above and below it.