I cannot say the things that I felt, and Olaf said: "Let us ride on alone and see your place." Then we came swiftly to the crest of the hill, and I could see all that was mine by right.

But it was a piteous sight for me, and my rage and sorrow made me silent as I looked.
The stockading that had been so good was broken and useless, and the church was in blackened ruins, standing among the houses where black gaps among them also showed that the Danes had been at work and that none had had heart to rebuild.

Black were the ruins of my home on the hill above the village, and across the mere woods one burnt gable of Hertha's home stood alone above the hill shoulder to show where Osgod had dwelt in the hollow of the hills beside the ford.
Then we rode across the bridge and into the street unchallenged, for all the poor folk had fled from before us thinking that we were some fresh foes.

Very strange the deserted place looked to me as I sat on my horse on the familiar green, and saw the river gleam across the gap where the church had been, and missed the houses that I had known so well.
"Call aloud, Redwald," said Olaf.

"It may be that your name will bring some from their hiding." So I called, and the empty street echoed back the words: "Ho, friends! I am Redwald, your thane.