“This we do know,” said Hugh. “The Earl ofLeicester has the full list. No one has offered Olivier for ransom.No one has said, though someone must know, who holdshim.”

“My Uncle Laurence has been enquiring everywhere,”agreed Yves, “but can learn nothing. And he grows older, andis needed in Devizes, where she mainly keeps her court these days.But in Coventry I intend to bring this matter into the open, andhave an answer. They cannot deny me.”

Cadfael, listening in silence, shook his head a little, almostfondly, at such innocent confiding. King and empress, with absoluteif imagined victory almost within sight, were less likely to givepriority to a matter of simple individual justice than this boysupposed. He was young, candid, born noble, and serenely aware ofhis rights to fair dealing and courteous consideration. He had somerough awakenings coming to him before he would be fully armouredagainst the world and the devil.

“And then,” said Yves bitterly, “Philip handedover Cricklade whole and entire to King Stephen, himself, hisgarrison, arms, armour and all. I can’t for my life imaginewhy, what drove him to it. I’ve worn my wits out trying tofathom it. Was it a simple calculation that he was labouring moreand more on the losing side, and could better his fortunes by thechange? In cold blood? Or in very hot blood, bitter against hisfather for leaving Faringdon to its fate? Or was it he who betrayedFaringdon in the first place? Was it by his orders it was sold? Icannot see into his mind.”

“But you at least have seen him,” said Hugh,“and served with him. I have never set eyes on him. If youcannot account for what he has done now, yet you have workedalongside him, you must have some view of him, as one man ofanother in the same alliance. How old can he be? Surely barely tenyears your elder.”

Yves shook the baffled bewilderment impatiently from him, andtook time to think, “Around thirty. Robert’s heir,William, must be a few years past that. A quiet man,Philip—he had dark moods, but a good officer. I would havesaid I liked him, if ever I had considered to answer that at all. Inever would have believed he would change his coat—certainlynever for gain or for fear…”