On came the lances, fully a score, with mounted esquires and serving men as many, and Richard sat alone upon his horse in the roadway, with Guy the Bow at his side bearing the prince's pennon.
Sharply the men-at-arms drew rein, and only one knight spurred forward.
"Richard of Wartmont!" he exclaimed. "Glad am I thou camest this way. They who wait thee on the other road must not know thy errand. Surrey is not here, but the Earl of Northampton."
"My Lord of Harcourt," responded Richard firmly, "I may not answer even thee, nor give my errand save to our liege the king, or to the prince."
"Thou wouldst deserve to lose thy head if thou didst," replied Sir Geoffrey of Harcourt. "Do thou, however, as if the prince bade thee. Go not to Warwick, but send thy archery there. Turn thou with me and ride for thy life until thou art out of reach of the king's enemies."
"Guy the Bow," said Richard, turning to him, "hast thou heard?"
"If it be also thy command," said Guy, "fear not for us. Little do we need of highways or of any man's permission. Let me have speech with the men."
"Bid them to reach Warwick town as best they may," said Richard.
To the roadside and to his company went Guy, and in a few moments more he raised a hand, and the few words he spoke were in Saxon.
Up again went the hand of Richard, with a loud "Ha! Ride!"