Asculf gazed joyfully at the comings and goings of his busy worker bees. Many times he had heard uttered the saying a hive of activity—now it made perfect sense. To interrupt his reflections came a hearty call in an unknown voice. “Ealdorman Asculf? Is it you? Well met!”
a hive of activityA stranger urged his dappled grey mare forward to greet him.
“We are neighbours, friend. My name is Etheric, a thegn. King Egbert has granted me the estates confining on your southern borders. He did nothing other than commend me to your friendship. He says there is no more valiant warrior in the whole of the Kingdom of Kent.”
“The king is too kind. Welcome, Thegn Etheric, will you not come to refresh yourself and your horse after a long ride?”
Asculf took him to Baldhart’s house because he knew Roche
