Ahhh! Athelstan! [He was grinning from ear to ear again and gave the monk a celebratory punch to the shoulder.] Look at that smile! Oh, priest. [He laughed, walking past him to unceremoniously jump and flop onto the bed.

He propped himself up onto his elbows to peer over at Athelstan.] You... Had sex with the queen of Wessex? And her husband? And you left them for me?