“So the King’s due in Woodstock,” said Alard,rustling sleepily in his straw in a warm loft over the horses, “intime to sit in judgement on the twenty-third of the month. He makeshis forest lodges the hub of his kingdom, there’s morestatecraft talked at Woodstock, so they say, than ever atWestminster. And he keeps his beasts there—lions andleopards—even camels. Did you ever see camels, Cadfael? Therein the east?”

“Saw them and rode them. Common as horses there, hard-workingand serviceable, but uncomfortable riding, and foul-tempered. ThankGod it’s horses we’ll be mounting in the morning.”And after a long silence, on the edge of sleep, he asked curiouslyinto the straw-scented darkness: “If ever you do go back, whatis it you want of Evesham?”

“Do I know?” responded Alard drowsily, and followed thatwith a sudden sharpening sigh, again fully awake. “The silence,it might be… or the stillness. To have no more running to do…to have arrived, and have no more need to run. The appetite changes.Now I think it would be a beautiful thing to be still.”

The manor which was the head of Roger Mauduit’s scattered andsubstantial honour lay somewhat southeast of Northampton, comfortablyunder the lee of the long ridge of wooded hills where the king had achase, and spreading its extensive fields over the rich lowlandbetween. The house was of stone, and ample, over a deep undercroft,and with a low tower providing two small chambers at the eastern end,and the array of sturdy byres, barns and stables that lined thecontaining walls was impressive. Someone had proved a good stewardwhile the lord was away about King Henry’s business.

The furnishings of the hall were no less eloquent of good management,and the men and maids of the household went about their work with abrisk wariness that showed they went in some awe of whoever presidedover their labours. It needed only a single day of watching the LadyEadwina in action to show who ruled the roost here. Roger Mauduit hadmarried a wife not only handsome, but also efficient and masterful.She had had her own way here for three years, and by all the signshad enjoyed her dominance. She might, even, be none too glad toresign her charge now, however glad she might be to have her lordhome again.