“It’s the Grail!” he said, reverently. “The True Cup! The Grail itself!”

“At least,” said Ansirus to his daughter, as they stood on deck while the Merwing picked her way into the crowded harbour of Nantes, “he has told no one else about it. Not even Jeshua. So we stand a reasonable chance of getting it – and him – safely landed at Glannaventa and across Rheged to St Martin’s.”

“But Father, it can’t be the Grail! You know it can’t!”

“I know. I suppose I have seen as many ‘true cups’ as any man, being traded to and fro in Jerusalem. But it’s still a treasure. A treasure that will have a most practical use.”

“What use?”

“The boy has been forced to leave his kingdom – renounce it – with nothing but the clothes he stands in. Now, even without my sponsorship, the monks of St Martin’s would accept him from pure charity, but if he brings with him something of such a price – for it’s both rare and ancient, you may be sure of that – why then, he brings his payment with him.”

“But if he tells them it’s the Grail –”

“Listen, Alice. If men believe – if they need a focus for their worship, then, grail or not, this cup will be as true for them as a cross you or I could fashion out of wood from our own orchards at Rheged. Don’t you see, child?”

“Ye – es. Yes, I suppose so. But –”

“So we say nothing, and Abbot Theodore will make his own decisions. What happens will be his concern. Look, we’re almost in. We’ll be making fast very soon. Where’s your maid, my dear?”

Alice laughed. “At a guess, getting Jeshua to help her with my baggage. You know what’s happening there, I suppose? Once he’s seen the pr – Chlodovald safely into St Martin’s, we’ll have to find a place for him at Castle Rose.”

“If his duty doesn’t take him back to the queen’s service he’ll be most welcome in mine,” said the duke. “I already had it in mind to speak to him about it. Beltrane, like me, is ageing, and I think he will be glad of experienced help. When we get to St Martin’s I plan to stay there for a few days to see the boy settled in, and to talk things over with Abbot Theodore, so it might be a good idea to send Jeshua straight home from Glannaventa with our heavy baggage. Don’t you think so? He can give Beltrane warning that we’ll be home sooner than expected, and help him if it’s needed.”

“I’m sure it will be! They won’t be looking for us for at least another month, and every room will be turned out for cleaning! May I tell Mariamne?”

“Of course.” He smiled. “She may help persuade him to stay, at least until you are safely wed. When I’m no longer there, it will be good to know that you have a servant as brave and as faithful as he has shown himself to be.”