Nor will the offer ever be made." "I am not so sure of that," said Edric.

"Cnut needs help, and will bid high for it.

Nay, I know that it will be made.

We have our spies in Cnut's court, Redwald, and know more than you may think.
Tell him, therefore, only what I have said to you, and let me know his answer by someone whom you can trust." Then I rose up in my anger, and said: "You ask me to spy on the king, lord earl, and I will not do it." "Nay, nay," he said.

"I do but want to set our king's mind at rest.
I know what the honest viking's answer would be; he would be as wroth as you.