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Updated: May 8, 2025
Now on the afternoon of this day. Sir Benedict being sick a-bed of his wound, Beltane sat in council among the oldest and wisest of the knights, and presently summoned Walkyn and Ulf, Roger and Jenkyn o' the Ford, speaking them on this wise: "Good comrades, list ye now!
"Children!" she sighed; and looking from scowling Walkyn to frowning Ulf she reached a slim hand to each. "O children," said she, "lay by your steel and give to me your hands!" Fumbling and awkward, Walkyn sheathed his dagger while Ulf laid the mighty axe upon the grass very tenderly, as it had been a sleeping child; so came they both, shame-faced, unto the lady Abbess and gave her each a hand.
But Roger was there, his face besmeared with blood that oozed 'neath his dinted bascinet, and Ulf was there, foul with slaughter, and there was Walkyn fierce and grim, while side by side amid the trampling pikemen behind, Jenkyn and Tall Orson fought. And presently to Beltane came Walkyn, pointing eagerly to their left.
Awhile stood Beltane before the three hundred, his head bowed as one in meditation until the sound of voices, the ring and clash of their companions' going was died away; then looked he at the cloudy sky already deepening to evening, and round about upon the encircling woods. "The wind is from the south, methinks!" said he. "Aye, master," nodded Walkyn. "South-westerly!" quoth Roger.
With great body bowed forward and hairy fingers crooked, Walkyn stole upon him; six paces he went, ten twenty twenty-five the soldier ceased his humming, stood erect and turned about; and Walkyn leapt bore him backward down into the shadow a shadow wherein their bodies writhed and twisted silently awhile. When Walkyn rose out of the shadow and beckoned them on.
Then of a sudden Walkyn shouted fierce and loud, and sprang forward with mighty axe whirled aloft. "Ha Pertolepe, turn!" he roared, "Ho, Bloody Pertolepe turn, thou dog! 'Tis I 'tis Waldron of Brand!"
Now here beside me sitteth Sir Fidelis, who though methinks the most youthful of us all, hath a head in council wiser than us all. For he hath spoke me that whereby though few in number and lacking engines for battery, Giles we yet may win through the walls of Belsaye ere sun-down. Know you this country, Walkyn?" WALKYN. "As my hand, lord." BELTANE. "Is there a village hereabouts?"
While Beltane yet watched this solitary rider, behold two figures that crouched in the underbrush growing beside the way; stealthy figures, that flitted from tree to tree and bush to bush, keeping pace with the slow-riding horseman; and as they came nearer, Beltane saw that these men who crouched and stole so swift and purposeful were Walkyn and Black Roger.
She whined and whimpered querulously, mouthing inarticulate plaints and prayers as Roger haled her along, with Cnut and Walkyn, fierce and scowling, behind.
But hereupon divers cast evil looks upon the knight, murmuring among themselves and loudest of all Walkyn. "He knoweth the secret of our hiding-place!" "'Tis said he knoweth the causeway through the fen!" "He will betray us!" "Dogs!" said Beltane, clenching his hands, "will ye defy me then? I say this knight shall go hence and none withstand him.
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