"I' faith, 'tis plain enough," remarked Sir Thomas Carberry. "Oliver, my right trusty friend and companion-in-arms, I pray thee that I may have a share in this business, though, be it understood, I do not aspire to any honour that might detract from thine advancement."
"I accept the offer of thy services, Thomas," replied Sir Oliver. "Betwixt us we can muster eighty lances and four score and ten archers. If we are not able to bring this recreant to boot may I never see Warblington again. But there is no time to be lost; the King's orders must be obeyed with promptitude, so, Sir Brocas, this matter concerning the hurdles must needs stand over a while."
"May ye both be here to attend to it this day week," answered the Yorkshire knight. "So fare ye well."
Ere sunset the two Hampshire knights with their squires and followers, nearly two hundred strong, were well on their way towards the gloomy Castle of Malevereux.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE FATE OF MALEVEREUX
Judging by the grimly exultant expressions on the faces of the men, the expedition was a popular one. The Warblington men were well aware of the hardships their master and his son had undergone at the hands of the villainous Sir Denis, while the Portchester troops had occasion to remember that their Constable's squire had been treacherously detained by the Lord of Malevereux.
There was also the inducement held out by the presence of vast quantities of booty to be had on the taking of the fortress; while, above all, knight, squire, and common soldier realized that they were carrying out a direct command of the King.
Owing to the fact that the archers were afoot the progress of the column was necessarily slow, and when Sir Oliver called a halt for the night only four leagues separated them from their late quarters before Rouen.
The men slept in the open, wrapped in heavy cloaks. The horses, securely tethered, were placed in the centre of the camp, while sentinels were posted on all sides.