Chapter 11Wimborne Abbey, winter 707 AD
Aethelheard did not reappear until after Christ's Mass but when he did, he was contrite.
“Mother, I beg your forgiveness, pardon my bad manners. You were right and I was wrong.”
Cynethryth was pleased to see her son and bore no resentment. Her heart went out to him. Her sweet smile was enough to make him sweep her into his muscular embrace and kiss her cheek repeatedly.
“Mother, I'll love you so long as the grass grows upwards and the rain falls downwards!”
“And what, pray, has brought about this change of heart?”
He released her and stepped back to regard her with a self-deprecating smile.
“King Ine!” He paused for effect. “He met with Swaefred and Sigeheard at a synod held in Brentford. He paused again and stared into space.
“Are you going
