Thus, owing to her growing entourage, Cait had become the reluctant owner of three additional pack mules and a converted hay wain to carry all the extra provender and provisions needed to feed the increased numbers of men and animals. She had also taken to heart Magistrate Carlo Coruna's counsel that she should purchase tents. After Logrono, the next town on the way, he told her, settlements of even modest wealth and substance were few and very far between.

'The weather will not stay fair for ever,' he warned. 'Sooner or later, the autumn rains must come. Sleeping under a leaking sky is not for a noble lady, Heaven forbid! But you are indeed fortunate, for I know a man who makes the most wonderful tents-a cousin of mine, as it happens, but a tentmaker without peer. I will take you to meet him, and you will see for yourself.'

In the end, the tentmaking cousin had only two completed tents to sell. The number of pilgrims travelling through Palencia on their way to or from Santiago had so declined since the king's ban, that he had not made any new tents for some time and was seriously considering giving up the business altogether. He was overjoyed to sell his last tents to Cait and her company, and explained that if she could wait but a month longer, he could have more ready for her. She declined politely, but purchased the remaining two for a generous price and added them to the growing mountain of equipment and supplies.

The tents were fashioned in a sturdy, rustic way: tall, peaked leather roofs stretched between two stout poles and anchored on all sides with tight-braided ropes; side pieces of heavy wool cloth were then attached to the upper portion by way of eyes and ties, so that the interior might be opened or closed to the outside depending on the desires of the inhabitants. Whatever the structures may have lacked in elegance, they more than made up in durability; the roof portions were good Spanish leather, and the cloth was tough and impervious to wind or rain. Cait and Alethea took one tent for themselves and were pleasantly surprised by the additional comfort provided. The other tent was given to the men, who took it in turn to use it, five sleepers sharing each night.

Equipped, provisioned, and rested, they set off the next day. At first, the wilful defiance of the king's decree made the ride seem daring and eventful. But as the days passed, the continual vigilance and stealth began to pale-much like the sun-struck wilderness through which they journeyed: a dust-dulled aridity of empty hills and parched valleys filled with tinder-dry plants in subdued shades of ochre and tan and brown.

Because of their greater numbers, the company travelled more slowly than before. The Spanish knights knew many songs and games, and enjoyed teaching them to their Norse swordbrothers. They told stories about the people and places of old Galicia, often vying with one another to see who could tell the most outrageous lies about their homeland. The weather remained warm and dry, the fiery heat of summer slowly giving way to the fresh, cool days of autumn.

As before, they met neither bandits nor pilgrims, and had the road to themselves from dawn's first gleam to twilight's last glimmer. Thus, the days passed pleasantly, if not as swiftly as Cait would have liked. If not for the fact that the cost of provisions threatened to overwhelm her ready resources, Cait would have enjoyed the journey far more.

Keeping everyone fed and watered became the occupying concern of each and every day. The supplies disappeared at a shocking rate, and Cait began to feel she had made a grave mistake taking on the extra men and horses.

Fortunately, finding good water for so many thirsty throats posed no difficulty; the road was rarely out of sight of a stream or river. Although most had dwindled to little more than a trickle awaiting the autumn rains, at least the animals could be easily watered and the knights were not forced to spend the greater part of every day searching for wells, springs, or drinking holes.

Likewise, once they entered the Ebro valley they could follow the substantial Rio Ebro to Logrono-another once-magnificent Roman town which had decayed under the long years of Muhammedan dominion. Upon reaching Logrono they stopped to bathe, wash their clothes, rest, and replenish provisions. As at Palencia, the travellers were welcomed with genuine warmth by the local citizenry who had not seen any travellers for many months and were eager for news of the wider world. During their brief stay, Cait followed Brother Matthias' advice to consult the abbot at the local monastery about the road ahead. The trails beyond Logrofio into the lower valley, and eastward into the mountains, were not so well travelled as those they had used so far, and Cait was grateful for any knowledge of the most likely stopping-places along the way.

Because the abbot was not receptive to the idea of women visiting his scriptorium and holding converse with the monks under his charge, he declined to allow Cait to join the visiting party, so Rognvald and Matthias went in her stead.

'They say we can get meat and meal at Milagro on the Rio Aragon,' Rognvald told her on the eve of their departure. He and Matthias had spent most of the day studying the monastery's maps and charts of the region. 'And then again at Carcastillo.'

'It is four days to Milagro,' Matthias said, 'and Carcastillo is two or three days beyond that.'

'We will stop there,' said Cait. 'Our provisions will last that long at least.'

'The abbot suggests stopping at both places,' the knight offered. 'Once we are into the mountains it will become very difficult. We will get nothing more until Berdun and then but little.'

'But with fewer in our party,' Cait pointed out, 'that should not become a problem.'

'Ah, yes,' said Rognvald, glancing secretively at the monk, 'I have been meaning to speak to you about that very thing.'

'Yes?' Cait regarded him dubiously.

'I have been thinking that it would be good to keep the Spanish knights with us.'

'Oh, no,' declared Cait. 'I agreed they could come with us this far, but no further. They must go back.' Although she enjoyed their genial and entertaining presence, the Spanish knights cost a great deal more than she had anticipated.

'They are good warriors,' said Rognvald.

'They are good trenchermen, it seems to me,' countered Cait. 'We have not seen so much as a Moorish shadow since leaving Santiago. Do not think me a pinchfist in this matter. I enjoy their companionship as much as anyone, but it comes at a price-nearly two hundred marks since joining us.'

The knight frowned, but held his tongue.

'Lady Caitriona,' said Matthias, 'forgive me if I speak above my place. But the abbot has strenuously advised us to turn back. He says the mountain passes have become very dangerous in these last days with many lawless and evil men waiting to prey on unwary travellers.'

'With such an army as I possess, we are far from unwary,' Cait pointed out.

'All the more reason to retain the Spanish warriors-if they are willing.' Regarding Cait with sly solemnity, he added, 'It is but a small price to pay for the saving of the Blessed Cup.'

His mention of the sacred relic brought a twinge to Cait's raw conscience. Matthias did not yet know her true intentions for the vessel. She hesitated; to insist on sending half her force away might arouse the priest's suspicions regarding the nature of the enterprise which had caught him up. Until she had the cup in her possession, she could not risk losing his aid and affection. Turning to Rognvald, she asked, 'Do you commend it, my lord?'

'Most heartily, I do,' he replied.

'Very well, then,' she decided. 'Speak to the men. If they are willing, and agree to abide your command, then they may continue for as long as necessary.'