Chapter 18
Death of Oswy AD 670One day in the spring of the year 664 Etheldreda was out riding with Heregyth. The day was bright and warm, the woods full of bluebells, when suddenly a sense of icy foreboding caused her skin to prickle. At the same time her sight seemed to be growing dim. Just as a thrill of fear touched her own heart, the gentle mare she rode upon reared up and whinnied. For the next few moments she was so occupied in calming it down that she was not fully aware of what was happening. Then she noticed that the landscape was rapidly growing darker.
She looked over her shoulder to Heregyth and saw that she too was having trouble with her frightened steed. Behind her an immense, cold, black shadow seemed to be advancing across the land. Strings of birds were winging purpose
