Cecily straightened and told them they would be guests at the court of the mighty duke of Burgundy. Duke Philip of Burgundy was a friend to England and had supported their father’s cause. Burgundy was a friendly trading partner and would look kindly on two English princes.

“If you think the king of England is rich, you will be astonished by the magnificence of Duke Philip’s court. You shall want for nothing.” She laughed as their eyes grew large, but then she admonished them to mind their manners, study hard, and write to her often.

“Where is Burgundy?” George asked.

Dickon rolled his eyes. “Don’t you remember from our geography lessons? It’s across the North Sea, you idiot.”

Seeing George take a menacing step toward his brother, Cecily admonished, “That’s enough, George.” Time was a-wasting, and she was impatient to leave. “Certes you will go by ship. Imagine, your first sea voyage!”

“A ship, Georgie!” Dickon cried. “We are going to sea, like the game we played yesterday!”

“Aye, something like that. I will protect him, never fear,” George told his mother grandly.

“I am not afraid!” Dickon retorted. “I am a York. And us Yorks are never afraid!”

“There’s a brave boy, Dickon,” Cecily said, much relieved. “Now, both of you say goodbye to Nurse Anne and come with me.”

“Are we to go alone? Who will dress us?” George suddenly asked as Dickon was enfolded in Anne of Caux’s plump arms. The nursemaid had unaccustomed tears in her eyes as she hugged the thin little boy to her.

“One of the squires will accompany you. You know John Skelton?”

George nodded, reassured.

Cecily was about to cross the threshold into the passage when Traveller burst through the door, and she muttered a profanity.

Dickon cried. “Traveller! You have forgotten Traveller.” He was clutching his dog’s neck and announced stubbornly. “I am not going without him. You said we could take one treasure, and I choose Traveller.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Cecily cried. “It will be difficult enough to persuade the duke of Burgundy to take two small boys, but a wolfhound as well? The answer is no. Choose something else.” Dickon stuck out his distinctive chin and refused to move. Nurse Anne held out King Henry’s psalter, and Cecily nodded in approval. “Leave the dog, Dickon…now! Anne, put the king’s gift in Dickon’s bundle. Meg, take hold of Traveller, and you, Dickon, take hold of my hand.” All of Proud Cis’s children knew this was one of those times when she was to be obeyed, and thus a dejected Dickon loosed his hold on his faithful dog and grasped his mother’s outstretched hand.

“I will take good care of him, never fear,” Meg whispered to her brother. “Besides, Ambergris would be very lonely without Traveller, would he not?” Dickon saw the truth in this and sadly conceded.