The Flame Bearer (The Last Kingdom Series, Book 10) by Bernard Cornwell

Author:Bernard Cornwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
ISBN: 9780007504237
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2016-10-05T23:00:00+00:00

‘Grandpa rented from the old Lord Uhtred,’ Swithun said, meaning my father. ‘He’s been on that land a lifetime, but his wife’s father had land in East Anglia, so we’re hoping it’s still there.’

Renwald doubted that any Saxon had held onto East Anglian land in the last years of Danish rule. ‘But you never know!’ he said, ‘a few did.’

‘I want to be buried there,’ I mumbled.

‘What did he say?’

‘He wants to be buried with his family,’ Swithun explained, then added, ‘silly old fool.’

‘I understand that!’ Renwald insisted. ‘Better to rise with your family on the day of judgement than with strangers.’

‘Amen,’ I growled.

The story satisfied Renwald. Not that he was suspicious, merely curious. We were journeying down the Use, letting the current carry us with just the occasional touch of an oar to keep the boat on course. She was named Rensnægl, ‘Because she’s slow as a snail,’ Renwald explained cheerfully. ‘She’s not quick, but she’s sturdy.’ He had a crew of six men, a large crew for a trading ship, but he often carried valuable cargo and he reckoned the extra hands were a worthwhile precaution against the small boats that preyed on passing vessels. He leaned on the steering-oar to take Rensnægl into the river’s centre where the current was strongest. ‘And there’ll be rich pickings soon,’ he said balefully.

‘Rich pickings?’ Cerdic asked.

‘Folk are leaving.’ He glanced up at the sky, judging the wind. ‘The days of the pagan in Britain are numbered,’ he said.

‘God be praised,’ I muttered.

‘Even Uhtred of Bebbanburg!’ Renwald sounded surprised. ‘No one thought he’d leave, but he’s got ships in Eoferwic and he’s brought his families there.’

‘I heard he bought the ships to go to Bebbanburg,’ Swithun offered.

‘No man takes his families to war,’ Renwald said scornfully. ‘No, he’s off and away! Going to Frisia, I hear.’ He pointed ahead. ‘That’s where we join the Humbre,’ he said, ‘be a quick voyage down to the sea now!’

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