there are many ways about it, and meseemeth that there is somewhere a way whereon thy feet and Elfhiid's may draw toward one another. Said Osberne: May all good hap go with thee for thy word. Dost thou not see how my face is already gladdened thereby? Said Steelhead: This is hope, my son, that flareth up swiftly and fadeth soon; but now this I shall give to thee, as I deem I may, that never shalt thou lack hope so long as thou hast deeds to do. Call to mind what thou thyself saidst unto Elfhild, that the only way to bridge the Sundering Flood is for one of you, or both, to wander wide in the world. But now tell me, what hast thou in thy mind to do in these days that pass? Said Osberne: I have been thinking of it, that when the Midsummer Feast is over I shall say farewell to my folk and ride to East Cheaping to find Sir Medard; for meseems he is the man whom I know out in the world who will put me in the way of deeds. Said Steelhead: And wilt thou go alone, or hast thou a mind to take any with thee? Suppose it were Stephen the Eater, who is a man of lore, and as I do thee to wit, moreover, a friend of our own? Dost thou command me to have him with me, lord? said Osberne. Nay, said Steelhead, I but ask thee of thy mind in the matter. Said Osberne: Then I shall tell thee that my mind is to go all birdalone. I would take no part of Wethermel with me, lest I soften towards the Dale, and turn back some fair day of summer and fall to nursing my sorrow therein.
