“Why, that Stephen has taken it, town and castle andharbour and all. So Robert of Gloucester, who went out by that gatebarely ten days earlier, has it slammed in his face now. Did I nottell you? The word came three days since. It seems there was ameeting back in April, in Devizes, between the empress and herbrother, and they made it up between them that it was high time thelady’s husband should pay a little heed to her affairs, andcome over in person to help her get her hands on Stephen’scrown. They sent envoys over to Normandy to meet with Geoffrey, buthe sent back to say he was well disposed, no question, but the mensent out to him were unknown to him, name or reputation, and hewould be uneasy in dealing with any but the Earl of Gloucesterhimself. If Robert will not come, says Geoffrey, no use sending meany other.”

Cadfael was momentarily distracted from his laggard crops.“And Robert let himself be persuaded?” he said,marvelling.

“Very reluctantly. He feared to leave his sister to theloyalties of some who were all but ready to desert her after theWestminster shambles, and I doubt if he has any great hopes ofgetting anything out of the Count of Anjou. But yes, he let himselfbe persuaded. And he’s sailed from Wareham, with less troublethan he’ll have sailing back into the same port, now the kingholds it. A good, fast move, that was. If he can but maintain itnow!”

“We said a Mass in thanksgiving for his recovery,”said Cadfael absently, and plucked out a leggy sow-thistle fromamong his mint. “How is it that weeds grow three times fasterthan the plants we nurse so tenderly? Three days ago that was noteven there. If the kale shot up like that I should be pricking theplants out by tomorrow.”

“No doubt your prayers will stiffen Stephen’sresolution,” Hugh said, though with less than completeconviction. “Have they not given you a helper yet, here inthe garden? It’s high time, there’s more thanone’s work here in this season.”