Jack Straw was the first to question him.
“What news, Polecat, out of the wood?”
The man still masticated, and answered as he ate.
“The duke’s foresters have taken Isoult.”
“What! John of Gaunt’s green bullies?”
“I always said the wench was too venturesome.”
“What have they done?”
“Lugged her to the White Lodge. It was young Fulk, the riding forester, who took her. I might have stabbed him in the dark, but the young wolf was too wary.”
Father Merlin grinned and bit his nails. John Ball stared at the fire and said nothing. It was Guy the Stallion who jumped up, swaggered, tightened his belt, and looked at his comrades’ faces.
“Nothing to say, good brothers? See here, the sword has its tongue. I’ll have Isoult out of the White Lodge, by cock, before they can say a Pater!”