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Taking her hand again, Brecc led Aisley to the nearest pew, and they slipped onto the bench. For some time, neither of them spoke. A sense of peace—such as Aisley rarely felt in the midst of everyday life—filled her.

“Would you like to offer a prayer before we leave?” Brecc whispered.

She nodded, and they both slid to their knees between the pews. Aisley closed her eyes. Her mother had taught her a few prayers, but in this church, she felt that she must speak her own. “Father God,” she whispered. “I am thankful.” It was as far as she could go. A wave of gratitude swept over her, bringing with it the sting of tears. She had been granted her life, her freedom, a place on Athelney, and Brecc. What more could she possibly ask of God?

“Amen.”

Upon hearing Brecc’s softly spoken word, Aisley opened her eyes. His head was bowed still, and as she watched, he spoke again.

“Father God, I, too, wish to express my gratitude for all things. And as King Alfred leads the Saxon people into battle, I would ask that Thou wouldst bless the noble and good men fighting for their homes, families, and livelihoods.”

“Amen,” she whispered.

He looked up and met her tear-filled eyes. “It will be well, Aisley. I truly believe it.”

She nodded, and together they rose to their feet and slowly made their way out of the church. Standing on the flagstone step outside, Aisley watched Brecc lower the latch on the church door. Then he moved closer. Wrapping his arms around her, he lowered his head and kissed her tenderly.

“I love the goodness of your heart,” he said.

“As I love the nobility of yours,” she responded. “I am thankful that you brought me here. I now understand more fully why King Alfred visits this sacred place so often.”

“Aye,” Brecc said, reaching for her hand once more. “It is reassuring to know that our king feels it necessary to commune with God, and methinks it likely that he feels what we experienced today on a far more regular basis.”

“King Alfred wishes God to go with him when he leads you to battle against Guthrum.”

“I do not believe there is a thegn on the island who does not desire that,” Brecc said, leading her back toward the punt. “But I would like to think that God pays special attention when a monarch humbly petitions Him for such a blessing.”

Aisley tightened her grip on Brecc’s hand. Sometime soon, he would be tossed into the midst of that mighty battle. And no matter how valiant the warriors or how noble the cause, there would be some who did not survive. Despite the peace she had so recently experienced, her fears for Brecc’s safety resurfaced.

“Would that no one had to go to battle at all,” she said.

They had reached the boat. Without a word, Brecc pulled her into his arms and held her close. With her head on his chest, she watched a common crane take to the air. It sailed above them, its strong wings flapping against the slight breeze.

“I need you with me to teach me more about birds,” she said brokenly.

“And I need you with me for more reasons than I could possibly name.” He ran his hand down her hair, soothing her troubled heart with his touch. “It will be well, Aisley.”

It was an echo of what he had said in the church, but she’d needed to hear it again.

“I shall try to be brave.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We shall be brave together.”

She looked up at him. “My father used to say exactly that.”

He smiled. “So you told me.”

“And you remembered?”

“Aye,” he said, releasing his hold upon her so that he might guide her onto the punt. “And I always will.”

Brecc leaned over the table and studied the scrap of parchment. The appearance of the roughly drawn map of Wessex he’d fashioned six weeks ago had changed significantly. No longer was there clear space with dots marking the location of towns of significant population. Now the entire map was covered with crosses—almost the entire map. With no small measure of relief, he placed a cross over the last remaining blank space. Hingston Down. Radolf and his men had returned from Cornwall with just enough time to allow Brecc to make his report to the king within the monarch’s prescribed deadline.

Rolling up the parchment, he carried it with him to the door of the small chamber and knocked.

“Enter!” The king’s voice reached him through the door.

Brecc opened it and walked in. The king was alone in the room. The queen, her maid, and Aisley were taking a walk while the sun shone.