gown and to rid him of his leather coat. He had ridden light the last stages,shedding his mail. He scrubbed with both hands at cheeks stiffened from thecold, twitched his shoulders pleasurably in the warmth of the fire, and drew ina great, easing breath. They watched him eat and drink with hardly a wordspoken. Even the voice stiffens and baulks after long exertion and greatweariness. When he was ready the cords of his throat would soften and warm, andwords find their way out without creaking.

“Your man-child held open his eyelids,” said Aline cheerfully,eyeing his every least move as he ate and warmed, “until he could propthem up no longer, even with his fingers. He’s well and grown even inthis short while—Cadfael will tell you. He goes on two feet now and makesnothing of a fall or two.” She did not offer to wake and bring him;clearly there was no place here tonight for matters of childhood, however dear.

Hugh sat back from his meal, yawned hugely, smiled upwards suddenly at hiswife, and drew her down to him in his arm. Constance bore away the tray andrefilled the cup, and closed the door quietly on the room where the boy slept.

“Never fret for me, love,” said Hugh, clasping Aline to hisside. “I’m saddle-sore and bruised, but nothing worse. But a fallor two we have certainly taken. No easy matter to rise, neither. Oh, I’vebrought back most of the men we took north with us, but not all—not all!Not the chief—Gilbert Prestcote’s gone. Taken, not dead, I hope andthink, but whether it’s Robert of Gloucester or the Welsh that holdhim—I wish I knew.”

“The Welsh?” said Cadfael, pricking his ears. “How’sthat? Owain Gwynedd has never put his hand in the fire for the empress? Afterall his careful holding off, and the gains it’s brought him? He’sno such fool! Why should he aid either of his enemies? He’d be more liketo leave them free to cut each other’s throats.”