"Here be marvels," said Jehan, and with that there came on him the foreknowledge of fate, which in the brave heart wakes awe, but no fear.He stood silent for a time and gazed over his homelands.The bere was shaking white and gold in the light evening wind; in the new orchard he had planted the apples were reddening; from the edge of the forest land rose wreaths of smoke where the thralls were busy with wood-clearing.There was little sound in the air, but from the steading came the happy laughter of a child.
Jehan stood very still, and his wistful eyes drank the peace of it.
"Non nobis, Domine," he said, for a priest had once had the training of him."But I leave that which shall not die."He summoned his wife and told her of the coming of the Crane.From a finger of his left hand he took the thick ring of gold which Ivo had marked years before in the Wealden hut.
"I have a notion that I am going a long journey," he told her."If I do not return, the Lord Ivo will confirm the little lad in these lands of ours.