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determined to go.”
    He said earnestly: “It is different now that you have been named Prince in Waiting again. And there are rumors. . . .”
    â€œI can guess what they are. So people listen to the gossip of Christians now? But maybe the Christians boast too soon. Sorrow mends, and his mind will mend with it.”
    â€œEzzard knows more of these things. And you know what rests on your success.”
    I had assumed he had been told enough to understand the true significance of the Seers and Sanctuary, but we had never discussed it. We had older bonds and I preferred them to this. I said:
    â€œThere are limits to Ezzard’s wisdom. Has he asked himself what the Captains would think of someone who proposed himself for such a thing, and then withdrew? I think they would sooner have a swordless Prince than a coward.”
    â€œIt need not seem like that. Illness could prevent your going.”
    â€œAnd what name will Kermit give the illness: heartsickness?”
    â€œIt would be a true fever. Kermit and his assistants have been deceived before.”
    That was so; it had been an appearance of illness, contrived by Ezzard in one of the four named as Young Captains, that had given me my chance in the Contest. From which so much had come. I said:
    â€œI will have no more to do with Ezzard’s tricks than is necessary. And I will go with the others tomorrow. Tell Ezzard not to try to stop me.”
    Martin shook his head. “He will not do that.” He paused. “I envy you and Edmund.”
    I put my hand on his black-clothed arm and squeezed it. “I wish we could have you with us. But it would look strange, an Acolyte riding with a troop of horse. And Ezzard has need of you here, I imagine.”
    â€œYou are not the only one who tires of Ezzard’s needs.”
    He had always been frail of body compared with me. He had grown taller and matched me in height but seemed to have put on scarcely any weight. His chest was narrow, his brown eyes very big in a face peaked and white and given to frowning. It was to be expected from sitting indoors all day, hunched over books. I said:
    â€œYou could come with us. If you put off that black dress and leave the Seers.”
    â€œHow is it possible? I am bound by vows.”
    â€œFrom which Ezzard can dispense you.”
    â€œBut would not.”
    â€œIf I demand it, he must. I share the secrets of the craft, remember. He will release you to me.”
    For a moment he looked half hopeful, then shook his head.
    â€œIt is not possible, Luke.”
    I shrugged. “It is true there is little time before tomorrow. And tongues might wag. But we will talk of it again when I return.”
    He said, speaking more to himself than to me: “It was knowledge I sought. Knowledge which is clean and pure, far above the cheating and deceiving in which most men spend their lives.”
    â€œAnd do you not find it,” I asked, “this knowledge which you prize?”
    â€œIn part,” he said. “I find others things, too. Things I do not desire but must accept. There is still cheating and deceiving.”
    I nodded. “And I am not surprised that you tire of it. I would not care to spend so much time playing tricks in the dark on sweating commoners. But you cannot be kept to it.”
    â€œI am bound.”
    The frown was more a look of pain. I pressed his arm again.
    â€œBonds can be loosened. When I come back.”
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    We rode north in good weather with fitful sunshine breaking through the clouds. We were twenty-three in number: Greene with his groom, a Sergeant called Bristow, sixteen troopers, Edmund, Hans and myself. And the peddler. He had exchanged his pack horse for one of my brother’s chargers. He called this a favor, praising the mount he had left behind, but I guessed he reckoned to do well out of the trade. I had looked at his old horse and not thought much of it;