The Empty Throne (The Saxon Stories #8)

by Bernard Cornwell

when I’d said that to Father Cuthbert he said that more than one swineherd had become a saint. You cannot win with Christians.

paces. I did not know my own daughter. I loved her, but I did not know her,

I had frightened men once, now I was the one who was frightened.

and I was seeing the new man, the new lord, and he looked formidable as his men advanced across the half-flooded fields to scatter the gulls.

We live in a world where the strongest win, and the strongest must expect to be disliked. Then I am a pagan, and though Christians teach that they must love their enemies, few do.

tacitly

We pick sides, lord, and sometimes loyalty gives us no choice in our opinions.”

Three gods in one? And one of those a ghost?

was not to know it, but I had just made Alfred’s dream of Englaland come true.

Hywel.

Pride, I suppose, is the most treacherous of virtues. The Christians call it a sin, but no poet sings of men who have no pride. Christians say the meek will inherit the earth, but the meek inspire no songs.