men and children, who had come out of gates, walking
about and disporting themselves in the loveliness of early summer, and
that in far merrier guise than they had durst do in the bygone days.
Moreover, there was scarce a sword or spear to be seen amongst them,
whereat Roger grudged somewhat, and Richard said: "Meseems this folk
trusts the peace of the Burg overmuch since, when all is told, unpeace
is not so far from their borders."

But as they drew a little nigher Ralph pointed out to his fellows the
gleam of helms and weapons on the walls, and they saw a watchman on
each of the high towers of the south gate; and then quoth Roger: "Nay,
the Burg will not be won so easily; and if a few fools get themselves
slain outside it is no great matter."

Folk nowise let them come up to the gate unheeded, but gathered about
them to look at the newcomers, but not so as to hinder them, and they
could see that these summerers were goodly folk enough, and demeaned
them as though they had but few troubles weighing on them. But the
wayfarers were not unchallenged at the gate, for a stout man-at-arms
stayed them and said: "Ye ride somewhat late, friends. What are ye?"
Quoth Ralph: "We be peaceful wayfarers save to them that would fall on
us, and we seek toward Upmeads." "Yea?" said the man, "belike ye shall
find something less than peace betwixt here and Upmeads, for rumour
goes that there are alien riders come into the lands of Higham, and for
aught I know the said unpeace may spread further on. Well if ye will
go to the Flower de Luce and abide there this night, ye shall have a
let-pass to-morn betimes."

Then Ralph spake a word in Roger's ear, and Roger nodded his head, and,
throwing his cowl aback, went up to the man-at-arms and said: "Stephen
a-Hurst, hast thou time for a word with an old friend?" "Yea, Roger,"
said the man "is it verily thou? I deemed that thou hadst fled away
from all of us to live in the wilds."

"So it was, lad," said Roger, "but times change from good to bad and
back again; and now am I of this good lord's company; and I shall tell
thee, Stephen, that though he rideth but few to-day, yet merry shall he
be that rideth with him to-morrow if unpeace be in the land. Lo you,
Stephen, this is the Child of Upmeads, whom belike thou hast heard of;
and if thou wilt take me into the chamber of thy tower, I will tell
thee things of him that thou wottest not."

Stephen turned to Ralph and made obeisance to him