“Yves? Yves Hugonin! Ah, now I do see… And you arenot so changed after all. But what are you doing here? I thoughtyou were away in the west somewhere, in Gloucester orBristol.”
“I’ve been on the empress’s errand to Norfolk,to the earl. He’ll be on his way to Coventry by now. Sheneeds all her allies round her, and Hugh Bigod carries more weightthan most with the baronage.”
“And you’re joining her party there?” Cadfaeldrew delighted breath. “We can ride together. You are herealone? Then alone no longer, for it’s a joy to see you again,and in such good fettle. I am here with Hugh, he’ll be asglad to see you as I am.”
“But how,” demanded Yves, glowing, “did youcome to be here at all?” He had Cadfael by both hands,wringing them ardently. “I know you were sent out by right,that last time, to salve a damaged man, but what art did you use tobe loosed out to a state conference like this one? Though if therewere more of you, and all delegates,” he added ruefully,“there might be more hope of accord. God knows I’mhappy to see you, but how did you contrive it?”
“I have leave until the conference ends,” saidCadfael.
“On what grounds? Abbots are not too easilypersuaded.”
“Mine,” said Cadfael, “allows me limited time,but sets a period to it that I may not infringe. I am given leaveto attend at Coventry for one reason, to seek for news of one ofthe prisoners from Faringdon. Where princes are gathered together Imay surely get word of him.”
He had not spoken a name, but the boy had stiffened into anintensity that tightened all the lines of his young, fresh faceinto a formidable maturity. He was not yet quite at the end of hisgrowing, not fully formed, but the man was already there within,burning through like a stirred fire when some partisan passionprobed deep into his heart.