He mounted his roan horse, galloped bareback to the vachery, and ordered the cowherd to the White Lodge with his women and children.
“Turn the cows out and let them fend for themselves, Barnabas. The wagon starts for Lewes in an hour.”
When he returned to the White Lodge Fulk found that two other foresters had come in and were helping Peter of Pippinford yoke eight oxen to the wagon, and load some of the household gear into it. Fulk chose Peter to be the leader, and charged them to return when they had lodged the women within the walls of Lewes town. He chose John to bide with him, because John was a coward, and the best men were wanted in the wagon; and John looked sulkily at Fulk, having no stomach for the White Lodge when such rough gentry were hunting men as well as deer.
Fulk passed into the house, went to Isoult’s room, and stood in the doorway, beckoning.
“Come.”
She was ready, dressed in all her rich colours, her hair in its silver net, her knife and gypsire at her girdle. She looked at Fulk with intent and questioning eyes, considering something in her heart.
“Is it the swainmote?”
“No. The boors have gone mad and are running wild. I am sending the womenfolk to Lewes town for shelter, and you will go with them.”
“And you?”
“A deer master does not run away from swine.”