How sayest thou then, thou
dearest and kindest, wilt thou thither to them? For if so, I may
well lead thee thither.
Birdalone shook her head. Nay, she said, I deem that I am drawn
elsewhither, but soon I shall tell thee. Lo now the gate. But ere
we enter, tell me of Sir Geoffrey of Lea, and why it was that they
might not abide the uncouth things, or if there were any such. Spake
Leonard: Things uncouth there were, and I was called upon to lay
them, and I did as biddeth Holy Church in all wise, but prevailed not
against them, and still were they seen and heard, till folk might
endure it no longer.
And what like were these things? said Birdalone, and are they yet
seen and heard? Said Leonard: Strange it is, but last night I went
into the great hall where they mostly betid, and laid me down there,
as whiles I do, for I fear them not, and would see if they yet
appear; but all night came nothing at all. As to the likeness of
them . . . Then he stopped, but said presently: Hard it is to tell
thee of them, but needs must I. There be two of these things; and
one is an image of a tall woman of middle-age, red-haired, white-
skinned, and meagre, and whiles she has a twiggen rod in her hand,
and whiles a naked short sword, and whiles nought at all.
Pages:
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485