Chapter Ten
The River Dapple sprang from its source deep in Glade Forest and wandered almost fifty miles before flowing into the sparkling waters of Lake Dapple. Along its banks lay a dozen villages, the largest being Dapple Meadow, in the lower reaches of the vale, where the river meandered gently and the pastures were wide and fertile, and where the Lord Warder made his home. On the third day of summer, Maythorn set out with Ren to walk the thirty miles to Dapple Meadow. Hazel and Gavain came as far as Dapple Orchard, Gavain riding on patient Githa, and those miles passed merrily, but once Hazel and Gavain had turned back, Maythorn found herself growing apprehensive. It was all very well to say that Dappleward was a good man—for he was—but he was also Lord Warder of all Dapple Vale, and
