With banners to the fore, they marched across the open space to the barbican and the herald blew the parley.
No answer came from the outwork. Riding closer, De Lacy discovered it was without defenders, and passing through he halted on the edge of the causeway.
"Sound again!" he commanded—and this time with quick effect.
A trumpet answered hoarsely from within and a mailed form arose from behind the crenellated parapet near the gate.
"Who summons so peremptorily the Castle of the Lords of Darby?" it asked.
Sir John's herald blew another blast.
"It is a most ignorant warder that does not recognize the arms of Sir John de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy," he answered.
"What seek Sir John de Bury and Sir Aymer de Lacy at the Castle of Roxford?" was the demand.
De Lacy waved the herald aside. "We seek the Countess of Clare who, we have reason to believe, is held in durance here. In the name of the King, we require you to surrender her forthwith."
"And if she be not here?"