Here ends the Fifth Part of the Water of the Wondrous
Isles, which is called The Tale of the Quest’s
Ending, and begins the Sixth Part of the said tale,
which is called The Days of Absence.
CHAPTER I. BIRDALONE RIDES TO GREENFORD AND THERE TAKES LEAVE OF
ARNOLD AND HIS MEN
On the road to Greenford nought befell to tell of;
they came thither when the sun was at point to set,
for they had ridden diligently all day.
As they rode the streets of the good town, they noted
of them, that though it was evening wherein folk do
much disport them abroad, there were women and children
enough in the streets or standing at their doors,
but of carles very few, and they for the more part
grey-heads.
Now did Arnold bring Birdalone to the town hall, wherein
yet sat the deputy of the burgrave, who himself was
in the leaguer at the Red Hold; this man, who was
old and wise and nothing feeble of body, made much
of Birdalone and her folk, and was glad of them when
he knew that they had the seal and let-pass of Geoffrey
of Lea; wherefore he gave them to eat and drink, and
lodged them in his own house, and made them the best
of cheer.
But betimes on the morrow did Birdalone send back
Arnold and the four men-at-arms, with no tale but
that such was her will; and bidding farewell to the
said Arnold, she suffered him to kiss her hands, and
gave him a ring from off her finger, so that he went
on his way rejoicing.
So soon as she saw him and his men well on the road,
she went to the old man, the vice-ruler of the town,
who was of the aldermen thereof, and did him to wit
that she would wage two or three carles who could
deal with horses and beasts, and withal handle weapons
if need were, to be both as servants and guards for
her, as she had errands in that country-side, and
belike might well have to go from town to town thereabout.
He took her asking kindly, but said it was none so
easy to find men who for any wage would fare forth
of Greenford at that stour, whereas well-nigh all
their fighting-men were lying before the Red Hold
as now. Howsoever, ere noontide he brought before
her a man of over three score, but yet wayworthy,
and two stout young men, his sons, and told her that
these men were trusty and would go with her to the
world’s end if need were.
She took these men readily, and agreed with them for
a good wage; and whereas each one had bow and arrows
and short sword, she had but to buy for them jacks,
sallets, and bucklers, and they were well armed as
for their condition. Withal she bought them three
good horses and another sumpter-horse; which last
was loaded with sundry wares that she deemed that
she needed, and with victual. Then she took leave
of the alderman, thanking him much for his good-will,
and so departed from Greenford at all adventure, when
the day was yet young.
