"
They wasted no more words; and through a lane of folk, who blessed them,
those two went to the great door down the long hall, and I followed, and
Berthun and the nurse came after me. One flung the door open; and on the
steps, all unaware of what had happened, lounged Mord, waiting, and up
and down on the green the grooms led the horses of the princess--six
in all. On two were packed her goods, and the third had a pack saddle
that waited for the bags that held her dowry. The other three were for
herself and Mord and the nurse. There was not one for Havelok.
"This is hasty, my princess," Mord said. "Whither are we bound?"
"For Grimsby, Mord," I answered quickly. "Are there no more horses to be
had?"
"Never a one, unless we steal from the king," he answered.
The people were crowding out now that they might see the start, and I
saw Berthun speak to a man among them who was a stranger to me. And from
him he turned directly with a glad face.
"Go down to such a hostelry," he said to me, "and there ask for what
horses you will. Maybe I shall have to follow you for my part in this
matter--that is, if I am not put in the dungeon."
"Faith," I answered, "better had you come with us than run that risk.
Alsi is in a bad mood."
He shook his head; and then the people behind him made way, for the king
was coming.
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