"You must," said Prior Thomas firmly. "We dare not ignore the bond our brethren made with Sir James on the sacred bones of St. Cuthbert of Crowden." "A year," groaned Hugh. Yet the next morning he contrived to present a smiling face to veil his discontent, as he bade farewell to Edith on the London Road. "A year hence you will be following me," she laughed to him, for she seemed as carefree as he. "Ay, you may look for me," he answered steadily. "In Outremer?" Hugh turned to find the sardonic features of Mocenigo at his elbow. "In Outremer, Messer Mocenigo," he repeated. Mocenigo eyed him as Hugh had seen knights watch each other in the lists. "Mayhap I, too, shall have the pleasure of meeting you there," said the Italian smoothly--"if you come." "I shall come." Mocenigo smiled and kneed his horse forward. There was that in his smile which was an answer--and might have been a threat. The cavalcade began to move. "God keep you, Hugh," said Edith hastily. "If I hear of Sir James, you shall know." "Our Lady guard you," returned Hugh. He kissed her hand and pulled the grey stallion back. She rode past him, a brave figure, slender and straight, fearless eyes fixed on the dusty road ahead--that road which led on to the sea and beyond to the fabled lands of Outremer, lands of magic and sorcery, of great deeds and wickedness, of romance and mystery, where the battered Empire of the Eastern Rome and the fringe of crusading states fought to keep back the onrushing Moslem waves that threatened to engulf all Christianity. CHAPTER IV THE JONGLEUR AND THE GREENWOOD MEN "Ay, 'tis clerkly done, Hugh," approved Prior Thomas, as he conned the spotless rolls of parchment. "With these at my hand it will go hard an I do not keep your lands in as good order as when you were a witless babe." He drew his chair closer to the brazier that warmed the room. "One week more," he mused. "And then you, too, dear lad, will be gone hence, leaving only a memory in our hearts." "I fear me there will be much for you to do," said Hugh. "Nay, an the King leave us be--." The Prior shook his head. "Even King John will think twice ere he assails the protection of St. Cuthbert of Crowden." "Small chance of that," agreed Hugh. "But Robin Fletcher grows old, and he must be watched in little things." "Brother Henri, the keenest of our clerks, shall follow his affairs. But now, Hugh, tell me--hast planned the journey to Outremer?" "That have I!" Hugh's voice rang with satisfaction. "Every ell of the way, me seems, Ralph and I have plotted over." "And where is Ralph?" "He is gone to London town to fetch back the new harness Master Martin the Armourer in East Cheap hath forged for me."