"
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.
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