Chapter 23Kingsham, Sussex, 723 AD
Naked, next to Wynflaed, Oswald sat up in bed, heart pounding. A sudden rush of fear drove off his drowsiness and he leapt out of bed. The battering against the door continued as he groped for and drew his sword. Conscious of his vulnerability and undecided whether there was time to dress, he pulled on his breeches. They offered no armoured protection but, in a curious way, served as a shield to his dignity. The terrified woman whimpering in his bed further strengthened his resolve. Whoever these ill-intentioned intruders were, he would exact a heavy price on them. At the instant of this thought, the lock gave way and the door swung back to reveal two armed men, weapons drawn.
“In the name of King Ine, lay down your sword and come with us!”
“Never!” Os
