Arn the Steward stared at his master with a puzzled face."You will get a dusty welcome," he said."There is but the Lady Hilda at Galland, and her brother Aelward is still at odds with your Duke."Nevertheless Jehan rode out in a clear dawn of St.Luke's summer, leaving a wondering man behind him, and he rode alone, having sent back his men-at-arms to Ivo."He has the bold heart," said Arn to himself."If there be many French like him there will assuredly be a new England."At Galland, which is low down in the fen country, he found a sullen girl.
She met him at the bridge of the Galland fen and her grey eyes flashed fire.She was a tall maid, very fair to look upon, and the blue tunic which she wore over her russet gown was cunningly embroidered.Embroidered too with gold was the hood which confined her plaited yellow hair.
"You find a defenceless house and a woman to conquer," she railed.
"Long may it need no other warder," said Jehan, dismounting and looking at her across the water.
"The fortune of war has given me a home, mistress.I would dwell in amity with my neighbours.""Amity!" she cried in scorn."You will get none from me.My brother Aelward will do the parleying.""So be it," he said."Be assured I will never cross this water into Galland till you bid me."He turned and rode home, and for a month was busied with the work of his farms.When he came again it was on a dark day in November, and every runnel of the fens was swollen.He got the same answer from the girl, and with it a warning "Aelward and his men wait for you in the oakshaw," she told him."I sent word to them when the thralls brought news of you." And her pretty face was hard and angry.
Jehan laughed."Now, by your leave, mistress, I will wait here the hour or two till nightfall.I am Englishman enough to know that your folk do not strike in the dark."He returned to Highstead unscathed, and a week later came a message from Aelward."Meet me," it ran, "to-morrow by the Danes' barrow at noon, and we will know whether Englishman or Frenchman is to bear rule in this land."Jehan donned his hauberk and girt himself with his long sword."There will be hot work to-day in that forest," he told Arn, who was busied with the trussing of his mail.