So they mounted and went their ways through a close pine-wood, where the ground was covered with the pine-tree needles, and all was still and windless.  So as they rode said Ursula:  “I seek tokens of the way to the Sage of Swevenham.  Hast thou seen a water yesterday?” “Yea,” said Ralph, “I rode far along it, but left it because I deemed that it turned north overmuch.”  “Thou wert right,” she said, “besides that thy turning from it hath brought us together; for it would have brought thee to Utterbol at last.  But now have we to hit upon another that runneth straight down from the hills:  not the Great Mountains, but the high ground whereon is the Sage’s dwelling.  I know not whether the ride be long or short; but the stream is to lead us.”

On they rode through the wood, wherein was little change for hours; and as they rested Ursula gave forth a deep breath, as one who has cast off a load of care.  And Ralph said:  “Why sighest thou, fellow-farer?” “O,” she said, “it is for pleasure, and a thought that I had:  for a while ago I was a thrall, living amongst fears that sickened the heart; and then a little while I was a lonely wanderer, and now...Therefore I was thinking that if ever I come back to mine own land and my home, the scent of a pine-wood shall make me happy.”

Ralph looked on her eagerly, but said naught for a while; but at last he spoke:  “Tell me, friend,” said he, “if we be met by strong-thieves on the way, what shall we do then?”

“It is not like to befall,” she said, “for men fear the wood, therefore is there little prey for thieves therein:  but if we chance on them, the token of Utterbol on mine armour shall make them meek enough.”  Then she fell silent a while, and spoke again:  “True it is that we may be followed by the Utterbol riders; for though they also fear the wood, they fear it not so much as they fear their Lord.  Howbeit, we be well ahead, and it is little like that we shall be overtaken before we have met the Sage; and then belike he shall provide.”

“Yea,” said Ralph, “but what if the chase come up with us:  shall we suffer us to be taken alive?” She looked on him solemnly, laid her hand on the beads about her neck, and answered:  “By this token we must live as long as we may, whatsoever may befall; for at the worst may some road of escape be opened to us.  Yet O, how far easier it were to die than to be led back to Utterbol!”

A while they rode in silence, both of them:  but at last spake Ralph, but slowly and in a dull and stern voice:  “Maybe it were good that thou told me somewhat of the horrors and evil days of Utterbol?” “Maybe,” she said, “but I will not tell thee of them.  Forsooth there are some things which a man may not easily tell to a man, be he never so much his friend as thou art to me.  But bethink thee” (and she smiled somewhat) “that this gear belieth me, and that I am but a woman; and some things there be which a woman may not tell to a man, nay, not even when he hath held her long in his arms.”  And therewith she flushed exceedingly.  But he said in a kind voice:  “I am sorry that I asked thee, and will ask thee no more thereof.”  She smiled on him friendly, and they spake of other matters as they rode on.