The good Rector had heard much about them, but knew little enough of their movements.  One day they were heard of in one place, and again they would vanish, and no man would know whither they had gone till they appeared in another.  Everywhere they left behind them desolated homes, and bloodshed and ruin followed in their track.  Master Bernard had heard too many such tales from all parts of the kingdom to heed overmuch what went on in this particular spot.  He knew that the winter’s privation and cold acted upon savage men almost as it did upon wolves and ravenous beasts, and that in a country harassed and overtaxed such things must needs be.  He never suspected the cause of the Prince’s eagerness.  He believed that the youths had come down bent on sport, and that they would take far more interest in the news he had to give them, that a wild boar had recently been seen in the forest aisles of the Royal Park, and that the huntsmen would be ready to sally forth to slay it at a single word from the Prince.

Edward’s eyes lighted at this.  It seemed to him a fortunate coincidence.  Also he would be glad enough to see the killing of the boar, though he was more interested in the expedition it would involve into the heart of the forest.

“Prithee give orders, good Master Bernard, that the huntsmen be ready tomorrow morning at dawn of day.  I trow there be horses and to spare to mount us all, as our own beasts will be something weary from the journey they have taken today.  We will be ready ere the sun is up, and if kind fortune smiles upon us, I trust I shall have the good fortune to have a pair of fine tusks to offer to my sisters when they join us here, as they shortly hope to do.”

Master Bernard, who was a man of no small importance all through this neighbourhood, hastened away to give the needful orders.  He had come from his own Rectory hard by to receive the Prince and his comrades, and he suspected that the King would be well pleased for him to remain beneath the roof of the castle so long as this gay and youthful party did so.

When night came and the youths sought the rooms which had been made ready for them, the Prince signed to a certain number of his comrades to repair with him to his chamber, as though he desired their services at his toilet.  Amongst those thus summoned were the three sons of Sir John de Brocas, and also the Gascon twins, for whom young Edward appeared to have taken a great liking, and who on their part warmly returned this feeling.  Shutting the door carefully, and making sure that none but friends were round him, the Prince unfolded his plan.