Now when we got back the guests were gathering, and it was not long
before the king entered, and at once called me.

"All here I know but one, Wulfric, and that one is your seafarer.
Let me know him also that speech may be free among us."

So Lodbrok came, and he and the king looked long at one another
before Eadmund spoke.

"I have heard your story, friend, and it is a strange one," he said
pleasantly. "Moreover, I know your name in some way."

"Well known is the name of Ragnar Lodbrok, my forefather," said the
jarl. "Mayhap the king remembers the name thus!"

"Aye," answered Eadmund, "that is a well-known and honoured name,
and I think that Ragnar's son has a share in his courage. But your
face also seems known to me, and it was not of the great Ragnar
that I thought. Have we met in years past?"

Then Lodbrok said that he had been in London at a time when Offa
the King was there, and it was long years ago, but that the very
day might be remembered by reason of a great wedding that he had
been to see out of curiosity, knowing little of Saxon customs. And
he named the people who were married in the presence of Offa and
many nobles.

Then Eadmund laughed a little.

"Now it all comes into my mind," he said; "you are the leader of