about the sicknesses of men cannot but pick up, here and there,some knowledge of the sicknesses of their animals, creatures withas great a capacity for suffering as their masters, and much lessmeans of complaining, together with far less inclination tocomplain. Cadfael had often wished that men would use their beastsbetter, and tried to show them that it would be good husbandry. Thehorses of war had been part of that curious, slow process withinhim that had turned him at length from the trade of arms into thecloister.

Not that all abbots and priors used their mules and stock beastswell, either. But at least the best and wisest of them recognisedit for good policy, as well as good Christianity.

But now, what could really be happening in Winchester, to turnthe sky over it black by day and red by night? Like the pillars ofcloud and fire that marked the passage of the elect through thewilderness, these had signalled and guided the beggar’sflight from danger. He saw no reason to doubt the report. The sameforeboding must have been on many loftier minds these last weeks,while the hot, dry summer, close cousin of fire, waited with atorch ready. But what a fool that woman must be, to attempt tobesiege the bishop in his own castle in his own city, with thequeen, every inch her match, no great distance away at the head ofa strong army, and the Londoners implacably hostile. And howadamant against her, now, the bishop must be, to venture all bydefying her. And both these high personages would remain stronglyprotected, and survive. But what of the lesser creatures they putin peril? Poor little traders and craftsmen and labourers who hadno such fortresses to shelter them!

He had meditated his way from the care of horses and cattle tothe tribulations of men, and was startled to hear at his back, at amoment when the traffic of the Foregate was light, the crisp, neathooves of mules catching up on him at a steady clip. He halted atthe corner of the horse fair ground and looked back, and had notfar to look, for they were close.