we reach the end, we will be beyond the borders of Elfael and out of reach of de Glanville’s soldiers.” He glanced at Odo. The young priest had maintained a gloomy silence since climbing into the saddle. “Do either of you want to rest a little before we move on?”
“My thanks, but no—a chance to quit this saddle is all I need just now,” Tuck said, easing himself down from the saddle. “Come, Odo. A change is as good as a rest, is it not?” He wiped the sweat from his face. “Although, to be sure, a jar of ale would not go amiss.”
“When day is done,” said Bran, starting into the gorge. “This way, you two.”
They had left the forest before dawn, crossing the open ground to the south of the caer while it was still dark, quickly losing themselves in the seamed valleys of Elfael. They proceeded ever north ward, keeping out of sight of the fortress and town until both were well behind them—and even then Bran continued with all caution. A chance encounter with a wayward Ffreinc party was to be avoided at all costs.
Leading the horses, they resumed their trek, picking their way along the stream. It was slow going because rocks, brush, and nettles filled the defile, making each step a small ordeal. The bowlegged priest struggled to keep up with his long-legged companions, scrambling over the rocks and dodging thorny branches, all the while ruing the turn of events that had made this journey necessary.
They had left the forest before dawn, crossing the open ground to the south of the caer while it was still dark, quickly losing themselves in the seamed valleys of Elfael, keeping out of sight of the fortress and town until both were well behind them—and even then Bran continued with all caution. A chance encounter with a wayward Ffreinc party was to be avoided at all costs.
“We acted in good faith,” Bran had declared in the council following the abbot’s misguided ambush. “But Hugo sought to betray us—once again. It is only by God’s favour that Odo and I escaped unharmed and none of our men were killed or wounded.”
Bran and his archers had just returned from their encounter with the Ffreinc, and one glance at their scowling faces gave everyone to know that all was not well.
Tuck, with Mérian a close step behind, was there to meet the returning peace party. “God love you, Iwan, what happened?” Tuck asked, snagging hold of the big man’s arm as he came through the blasted oak. “Did they fail to ring the bell?”
“Nay, Friar,” answered the champion, shaking his head slowly.“They rang the bell for all to hear—but then attacked us anyway.”
“They were lying in wait for us,” said Siarles, joining them. “Hiding in the forest.”
“Gysburne and his men showed themselves for the black devils they are,” said Scarlet.
“Aye, and the sheriff too,” added Siarles. “Dressed up as monks, some of ’em.”
“Even so, we honoured our part,” said Iwan. “We did not draw on them until they attacked Bran.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Tuck glanced quickly at the other archers trooping into the settlement. There was no blood showing; all seemed to be in ruddy good health.
“No hurt to anyone but themselves,” Scarlet pointed out. “A fella’d a thought they’d have learnt a little respect for a Welsh bowman by now. Seems they are a thick lot, these Ffreinc, say what you will.”
The friar heard these words, and his heart fell like a stone dropped into a bottomless well. The slender hope that the abbot would accept the offered peace sank instantly, swallowed in the knowledge that Abbot Hugo would never be appeased. In light of this new outrage, he felt the fool for even imagining such a thing possible.
“You did what Christian duty required, and it will be accounted to your credit,” Tuck assured them lamely. “God will yet reward you for remaining true to your part.”
“No doubt, Friar,” replied Siarles. “The same way he helps them who help themselves, methinks.”
“I do not blame you for being disappointed,” Tuck said, “but you should not place the failure at the Almighty’s feet, when it—”
“Spare us, Tuck,” snapped Bran. He and Odo, the last to arrive, passed the others as they stood talking. “I am not of a mind to hear it.” Addressing the men, he said, “Get something to eat, all of you. Then I want my advisors to come to me and we will hold council again—this time it is a