irst thou didst seem
so young and fair that it was not easy to think of thee grim amongst
the edges; but many a man lines hid within himself."

So now they were served of the wine, and Sir Medard spake to Osberne:
"Well, Dalesman, thou art come amongst us again, grown in manliness,
as was like to be. Now if thou be come but to see us and make us merry
with thy fellowship, it is well; but if thou have an errand, and would
ask something of us, it is better yet; since forsooth we deem that we
owe thee somewhat." Said Osberne: "Well then, true it is that I have
an errand and crave something, and that is soon told; for I would have
thee put me in the way of deeds to do, since I have left the Dale and
am seeking adventures."

"That will be the least of things to do for thee, my friend," said
Medard; "and in good time comest thou hither; for though the good town
is in all peace and lacks not men, yet here is Sir Godrick of
Longshaw, who is here with me partly for the gathering of men. But
good must they be who ride with him, and all without fear, whereas I
shall tell thee that he is the hardiest knight and most fearless rider
of these days. Now do ye two talk it over together."

Osberne looked Sir Godrick in the face, and ever the more he beheld
him the better he liked the looks of his eyes and his visage. So now
spake the Knight: "How sayest thou, young man? After all I have heard
of thee I may well ask thee to be of mine. Only I must tell thee that
the work may be both hard and rough; and though there may be somewhat
to be won, yet on the other hand the pay may be little more than leave
to do the work." Said Osberne: "So far as that goes, I am well willing
to take my chance of it; but there is one thing which might stand in
the way of service with thee." "What is that?" said Sir Godrick. Said
Osberne: "It is in my mind that from henceforth for a while my days
should pass in some land that is far hence, that is, from mine own
place, and rather to the south than the north."

"Where dwelleth thy kindred then?" said Godrick. "In the Dale, which
is cleft by the Sundering Flood," said Osberne, "up under the great
mountains; and I am of the East Dale, else scarce had I been here."

"Well," said the Knight, "my chiefest house, which hight Longshaw,
lieth a long way south of this; but I shall tell thee that it is no
great way from the Sundering Flood; but betwixt it and the Flood is a
great waste and forest. As to the Flood, it