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The darkness hid the humor in Brecc’s eyes. “I am glad you think so.”

“But of course. Who amongst us would not wish to be welcomed home by an ill-tempered guard?”

“Who goes there?” Radolf’s voice filled the short distance.

“Rheged, Brecc, Bertwin, and Lufian,” Rheged called back.

The flaming torch moved in a slow arc. Keeping his eyes on the light, Lufian steered the punt left. An instant later, it thudded against the bank.

“Nicely done, Lufian,” Brecc said.

Bracing himself against the pole, Lufian gave him an acknowledging nod. “I’ll keep it as steady as I can whilst you alight.”

“Truly, Lufian’s concern for our feet is remarkable.” With one foot on the end of the punt and the other on the shore, Rheged straddled the water below.

Placing his weight on his uninjured leg, Brecc pushed himself upright. The punt rocked, and he took a moment to steady himself. Behind him, Bertwin had taken charge of the ropes attached to the horses. The animals were splashing impatiently, but Brecc knew Bertwin was waiting on him. Pushing past the discomfort, Brecc limped to the front of the punt, and Rheged grasped his arm.

“One firm step is all it will take,” Rheged said.

“One, I can do. Firm, I cannot promise.”

“Then simply do one,” Rheged said. “I shall be behind you.”

With no desire to delay the challenge, Brecc leaped onto the bank. He landed on his strong leg. It held his weight, but his balance was off, and without thought, he lowered his wounded leg to make up the difference. Pain shot from his knee to his hip. His leg buckled, and he lunged for a nearby shrub. The branches dug into his fingers, but they held him. He took two deep breaths.

“You are on dry ground.” Rheged appeared at his side and took his arm again, this time to pull him upright. “The rest will be easy.”

The horses were scrambling up the bank around him, and water was spraying from their glistening bodies.

“Could you not have released the animals one at a time,” Radolf grumbled. He was holding the torch aloft to protect it from the unanticipated shower.

“We are happy to see you again too, Radolf,” Rheged said.

Before the older ealdorman could respond, Lufian and Bertwin appeared in the circle of torchlight.

“I have tied up the punt,” Lufian said. “It’s the second one.”

Over the last few weeks, the king’s men had acquired three punts. They endeavored to have at least one available on each shore.

“Has the king returned?” Brecc asked.

“Not yet,” Radolf said. “Odda and his men arrived this morning. They brought the other punt in.”

“Were they successful?”

“Two Viking parties ambushed, stolen coins and merchandise returned to their original owners, and Guthrum’s campsite ransacked.” Radolf offered a rare, craggy smile. “To hear Odda tell it, word of the raids is spreading rapidly throughout Wessex.”

“As it should be,” Rheged said.

Radolf eyed Brecc’s leg. His bloodied hose and obvious limp were impossible to miss. “What of you?”

“We accomplished what we set out to do,” Brecc said. Details could come later. For now, his priority was to finally attend to his wound.

As though he’d followed Brecc’s train of thought, Rheged gathered the reins to his horse and Brecc’s. “Lufian, Bertwin, and I will take care of the mounts,” he said. “Go to the cottage and see to your leg.”

Brecc took a few limping steps. “At the rate I am moving, you might reach it before me regardless.”

“If I do, I shall make sure there is water ready.”