Norman“Ay.”
“Ay, Father Abbot.”
“Good. Then go with my blessing. Follow in the footsteps of Saint Cuthbert and you cannot be misled by the Evil One. Ah, Prior, one last thing. As you approach the Humber, go to the abbey at Selebie and there seek Abbot Benoit—or as I believe he calls himself now, Benedict. Tell him you visit him in the name of his friendship with Abbot Aethelwig and explain your mission. He will aid you. Bless you, my sons! In the name of the Father…”
They collected the donkey and set off on their long and arduous journey. The wearying tramp across Mercia towards the Humber was uneventful. Occasional well-wishers pressed dried fruit or bread on them but they proceeded unmolested. Aldwyn knew that the problem of outlaws was more real north of the great estuary. Was that w
