The stranger bowed.
"You exalt me unduly, my lord," he said.
"And Edith must go by the same way?" asked Hugh, turning the parchments in his hands.
Sir Godwin looked to his guest.
"'Tis so," replied Mocenigo. "But fear not, Sir Englishman. My ship is large, my crew brave and well-armed. I have done the journey before this."
"I like it not," said Hugh stubbornly.
"Indeed, lordling, you concern yourself over nothing," the stranger insisted suavely. "The Most Noble Grand Acolyth, Commander of the Varangian Guard of his Most Eminent, Holy and Christian Majesty, the Emperor of Constantinople, deigned to commission me especially for this task, under the Emperor's sanction, and all arrangements have been made to insure the protection of the young maid. Off Sicily we shall pick up a squadron of escort galleys, but without help we can easily beat off the corsairs of the Narrow Seas."
From the rear of the platform came the sound of weeping. Hugh turned and strove to peer through the shadows.
"'Tis Dame Alicia," said Sir Godwin. "She goes with the maid."
Hugh fumbled with the seals of the parchments.