“Here I must leave you,” said Hugh, looking backalong the way they had come, and westward towards the town and thecastle. “A pity! I could gladly have ridden as far as SaintAsaph with you in such weather, but the king’s officers hadbest stay out of Church business and avoid the crossfire. I shouldbe loth to tread on Owain’s toes.”

“You have brought us as far as Bishop Gilbert’swrit, at any rate,” said Brother Mark, smiling. “Boththis church and yours of Saint Oswald are now in the see of SaintAsaph. Did you realise that? Lichfield has lost a great swathe ofparishes here in the northwest. I think it must be Canterburypolicy to spread the diocese both sides the border, so that theline between Welsh and English can count for nothing.”

“Owain will have something to say to that, too.”Hugh saluted them with a raised hand, and began to wheel his horsetowards the road home. “Go with God, and a good journey!We’ll look to see you again in ten days or so.” And hewas some yards distant when he looked back over his shoulder andcalled after them: “Keep him out of mischief! If youcan!” But there was no indication to which of them the pleawas addressed, or to which of them the misgiving applied. Theycould share it between them.

Chapter Two

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I am too old,” Brother Cadfael observedcomplacently, “to embark on such adventures asthis.”

“I notice,” said Mark, eyeing him sidelong,“you say nothing of the kind until we’re well clear ofShrewsbury, and there’s no one to take you at your word, pooraged soul, and bid you stay at home.”

“What a fool I should have been!” Cadfael willinglyagreed.

“Whenever you begin pleading your age, I know what I haveto deal with. A horse full of oats, just let out of his stall, and