who escaped from Lincoln to add to her force. She’ll moveheaven and earth to get Stephen out of hold, by whatever means,fair or foul. She is,” said Hugh with conviction, “abetter soldier than her lord. Not a better fighter in thefield—God knows you’d need to search Europe through tofind such a one, I saw him at Lincoln—a marvel! But a bettergeneral, that she is. She holds to her purpose, where hetires and goes off after another quarry. They tell me, and Ibelieve it, she’s drawing her cordon closer and closer toLondon, south of the river. The nearer her rival comes toWestminster, the tighter that noose will be drawn.”

“And is it certain the Londoners have agreed to let theempress in? We hear they came late to the council, and made a faintplea for Stephen before they let themselves be tamed. It takes avery stout heart, I suppose, to stand up to Henry of Winchesterface to face, and deny him,” allowed Cadfael, sighing.

“They’ve agreed to admit her, which is as good asacknowledging her. But they’re arguing terms for her entry,as I heard it, and every delay is worth gold to me and to Stephen.If only,” said Hugh, the dancing light suddenly sharpeningevery line of his intent and eloquent face, “if only I couldget a good man into Bristol! There are ways into castles, even intothe dungeons. Two or three good, secret men might do it. A fistfulof gold to a malcontent gaoler… Kings have been fetched offbefore now, even out of chains, and he’s not chained. She hasnot gone so far, not yet. Cadfael, I dream! My work is here, and Iam but barely equal to it. I have no means of carrying off Bristol,too.”

“Once loosed,” said Cadfael, “your king isgoing to need this shire ready to his hand.”

He turned from the brazier, hoisting aside the pot and laying itto cool on a slab of stone he kept for the purpose. His backcreaked a little as he straightened it. In small ways he wasfeeling his years, but once erect he was spry enough.