So it seemed that everything was already accounted for, andthere remained nothing to be done but go reverently to Vespers andCompline, and commit this enterprise like all others to the will ofGod, but perhaps also with a gentle reminder to Saint Winifred thatthey were bound into her country, and if she felt inclined to lether delicate hand cover them along the way, the gesture would bevery much appreciated.

The morning of departure found a little cavalcade of six horsesand a pack-pony winding its way over the westward bridge and out ofthe town, on the road to Oswestry. There was Hugh, on his favoriteself-willed grey, with his son on his saddle-bow, Aline, unruffledby the haste of her preparations for leaving town, on her whitejennet, her maid and friend Constance pillion behind a groom, asecond groom following with the pack-pony on a leading rein, andthe two pilgrims to Saint Asaph merrily escorted by this familyparty. It was the last of April, a morning all green and silver.Cadfael and Mark had left before Prime, to join Hugh and his partyin the town. A shower, so fine as to be almost imperceptible in theair, had followed them over the bridge, where the Severn ran fullbut peaceful, and before they had assembled in Hugh’scourtyard the sun had come out fully, sparkling on the leaves andgrasses. The river was gilded in every ripple with capricious,scintillating light. A good day to be setting out, and no greatmatter why or where.

The sun was high, and the pearly mist of morning all dissolvedwhen they crossed the river at Mont ford. The road was good, somestretches of it with wide grass verges where the going wascomfortable and fast, and Giles demanded an occasional canter. He