“HAVE YOUR wits deserted you?” He jabbed the tip of his sword toward his former companion’s heaving chest. “I saved your life. And now you put it at risk again? Is this a game to you?” Swallowing, Alric interposed himself between the warrior and the sprawling rabble-rouser. “I know you do the earl’s work. You must let this man go.” Beyond the wattle walls, the guttural calls of the huscarls rang out, drawing closer. Hereward cuffed the monk around the head. “Your brains have fallen out of your ears,” he said. “If Tostig’s men find you here, with him, you will face the same fate, man of God or not.” Thrusting the monk aside, he stooped to grasp Wulfhere. Alric barged his way between them again. “If you wish to take this man, you must kill me first,” he repeated. The young cleric held his chin up in defiance, but his eyes were filled with tears of fear. He blinked them away. Hereward felt the familiar rage rising notch by notch.
