Ealdorman Asculf chose a stretch of dense woodland on a valley side overlooking a road as a place well-suited to an ambush. As soon as they urged their horses among the trees, an outrider returned to him with news.
“The people of Cuckelstane, Lord, they’re hiding in a glade over yonder. One of them nearly took me with an arrow when I came upon them.”
“Take me there.”
Asculf recognised several of the villagers when he rode into the clearing, their faces showing their joy at deliverance. A man took the reins of his horse and he jumped down to greet them as he grinned into the beaming, broad countenance of the village smith. The ealdorman noted the sooty smears on the man’s face and wondered how come, especially as four other men had the same smoke-blackened visages.
“Lord, the Vikings wo
