“Too tall for you,” said Hugh over his shoulder.“You’d need a lift into the saddle, and Mark couldnever hoist you.”
“I am not yet grown so heavy nor so shrunken with age thatI cannot scramble on to a horse,” said Cadfael with dignity.“What brings you here again and looking for me?”
“Why, a good notion Aline had, when I told her what youand Mark are up to. May is on the doorstep already, and in a weekor two at the most I should be packing her and Giles off toMaesbury for the summer. He has the run of the manor there, andit’s better for him out of the town.” It was his usualcustom to leave his family there until after the wool clip had beentaken and the fields gleaned, while he divided his time betweenhome and the business of the shire. Cadfael was familiar with theroutine. “She says, why should we not hasten the move by aweek, and ride with you tomorrow, to set you on your way as far asOswestry? The rest of the household can follow later, and we couldhave one day, at least, of your company, and you could bide thenight over with us at Maesbury if you choose. What do yousay?”
Cadfael said yes, very heartily, and so, when it was put to him,did Mark, though he declined, with regret, the offer of anight’s lodging. He was bent on reaching Llanelwy in twodays, and arriving at a civilised time, at the latest bymidafternoon, to allow time for the niceties of hospitality beforethe evening meal, so he preferred to go beyond Oswestry and wellinto Wales before halting for the night, to leave an easy stage forthe second day. If they could reach the valley of the Dee, theycould find lodging with one of the churches there, and cross theriver in the early morning.