human
Why has he not sent some priest to say this?
gpt
Because he thought that a warrior would listen best to a brother warrior,
human
Ay, that is true, said the king.
gpt
Are you a Christian, therefore?
human
I am as yet unbaptized, I said.
gpt
I have taken the prime signing on me, as have many others; but I shall certainly seek baptism shortly.
human
You came here as a heathen, then?
gpt
As a heathen altogether, except that I had no hatred of Christians,
human
What turned your mind so far from the old gods that you should be a fit messenger on such a matter to us?
gpt
I have learned from Alfred and Neot, I answered,
human
What say you, jarl? you have been with Alfred also.
gpt
When Ranald is baptized, I shall be so with him,
human
What profit do you look to make thereout--either of you?
gpt
Certainty of better things both in this life and in that to come,
human
Ay, so they always say, the chief growled;
gpt
It is likely that I shall gain no place with him, I said.
human
Jarl Osmund knows that I do not count on that.
gpt
Ay, said Osmund,
human
I know it. Nor will any man think that I seek honour at Alfred's hands.
gpt
Here, chiefs, are two good and tried warriors who willingly choose Alfred's faith. You and I have heard thereof since we were in England; and many a man have we seen die, since we have been here, because he would not give it up. I mind me of Edmund, the martyred king, whom Ingvar, our great chief, slew, and of Humbert the bishop, and many more lesser folk. Tell me truly how much you have thought of the Asir in these last years?
human
One thing, said Guthrum,
gpt
Moreover, the words of the new faith are good. I will accept King Alfred's brotherhood altogether.
human
Is this forced on us as part of the peace making?
gpt
It is not, I answered.
human
It is, as I have said, the wish for brotherhood altogether.
gpt
That is enough. I do not think that we need be ashamed to be conquered altogether by King Alfred.
human
One more word, said the old chief.
gpt
Are we to have no hostages?
human
There can be no exchange of hostages,
gpt
Things are all on the side of the Saxon,