My men, said Birdalone, flushing red, sooth it is that there is a
change at hand, and I shall tell you straightway what it is. Years
ago I told you that I was fleeing from my friends; now the change
hath betid that I would seek them again; and needs must I leave the
Five Crafts behind to do so. And moreover there is this ill word to
be said, which I will say at once, to wit, that when I am but a
little way gone from the Five Crafts I must wend the other deal of my
journey birdalone, as my name is.
All those three sat silent and aghast at that word, and the young men
grew pale; but after a while spake Gerard: Our lady most well-
beloved, this word which thou hast spoken, to wit, that thou needest
us no longer, I have looked to hear any time this five years; and
praise be to the saints that it hath come late and not soon. Now
there is no more to be said but that thou tell us what is thy will
that we should do.
Birdalone hung her head awhile for sorrow of sundering from these
men; then she looked up and said: It seemeth, my friends, as if ye
deem I have done you a wrong in sundering our fellowship; but all I
may say hereon is to pray you to pardon me, that I needs must go
alone on my quest.
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