Chapters 21-25 Summary

While they rest, Bear tells Crispin about his childhood. He was given to the church by his father at a young age. He thinks this was in exchange for some profitable trade deal, and he is hurt that his own father abandoned him so easily. Shortly before he took his final vows to become a priest, he saw some performers in the town square and was attracted by their tricks and laughter. He ran away to join them. Later they all disbanded, and he became a soldier. He explains that because he learned to read and write at the abbey, he now cannot be hanged. This is because people who can read and write take on the same status as a priest. Bear begins to teach Crispin to juggle and tries to make him sing.

In the evening, Bear finds a...