Therefore I will keep them watching this place until I can strike them a blow that will end the trouble once for all.

They will be sure that we gather men on the Quantock side, whence Heregar can keep them; and so, while they watch for us to attack them thence, we will gather beyond Selwood, calling all the thanes from Hants and Wilts and Dorset and Somerset to meet me on a fixed day, and so fall on them.

Now we will build a fort yonder on Stane hill that will make them wonder, and so the plan will begin to work.

For I have only told you the main lines thereof; the rest must go as can be planned from day to day." Then he looked steadfastly at the Selwood heights, and added: "And if the plan fails, and the battle I look for goes against us, there remain Heregar's places yet.

Petherton, Combwich, and Dowsborough are good places, where a king may die in a ring of foes, looking out over the land for which his life is given." "We shall not fail, my king," said Heregar.