It is a general rule in writing that you should not allow a significant character disappear from the telling of the tale without accounting for their absence. Although the brothers, Eorl Edwin and Eorl Morcar, exited the story towards the end of The War Wolf, I felt it necessary to explain where they had gone and why because even though they were not present for most of the events that are about to occur their influence was still felt by Coenred. This was also an opportunity to put their personal characters in contrast to that of Ealdred, the Archbishop of York. He is an old man but one motivated by a sense of duty. While the brothers flee to the presumed safety of Durham, Ealdred heads south to York convinced that he can talk King Hardrada into showing clemency towards the city. Obviously, Ealdred is unaware of what exactly has happened after the battle, but his resolve remains and he undertakes an uncomfortable journey that intercepts the flight of the young eorldermen.

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