noon
Next morning things were to all seeming much the same . The Danes had kept their word , and all was peaceful . There being nothing more in the town left worth taking , they stowed everything carefully , and made all ready for sailing . And then , halfway between noon and sunrise , Elfric rode back . I did not see him , for he was not suffered to come beyond the line of outposts , and all that he had to say , of course , I did not know at the time . One came and told Thorleif that the thane waited to speak with him , and he was gone from the ships for half an hour with Thrond . When he came back his face was grimmer than ever , and a red scar which crossed his forehead was burning crimson .