But when he had made an end, Roger said: "There it is, then, as I
said when she first spake to me of thee and bade me bring about
that meeting with her, drawing thee first to the Burg and after
to the Castle of Abundance, I have forgotten mostly by what lies;
but I said to her that she had set her heart on a man over lucky,
and that thou wouldst take her luck from her and make it thine.
But now I will let all that pass, and will bid thee ask what thou wilt;
and I promise thee that I will help thee to come thy ways to thy kindred,
that thou mayst put forth thy luck in their behalf."
Said Ralph: "First of all, tell me what shall I do to pass
unhindered through the Burg of the Four Friths?" Said Roger:
"Thou shalt go in at one gate and out at the other, and none
shall hinder thee."
Said Ralph: "And shall I have any hindrance from them of the Dry Tree?"
Roger made as if he were swallowing down something, and answered:
"Nay, none."
"And the folk of Higham by the Way, and the Brethren and
their Abbot?" said Ralph.
"I know but little of them," quoth Roger, "but I deem
that they will make a push to have thee for captain;
because they have had war on their hands of late.
But this shall be at thine own will to say yea or nay to them.
But for the rest on this side of the shepherds' country ye
will pass by peaceful folk."
"Yea," said Ralph, "what then hath become of the pride and cruelty
of the Burg of the Four Friths, and the eagerness and fierceness
of the Dry Tree?"
Quoth Roger: "This is the tale of it: After the champions of the Dry
Tree had lost their queen and beloved, the Lady of Abundance,
they were both restless and fierce, for the days of sorrow hung
heavy on their hands.
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