The monks of Melrose Abbey were hospitable and our stay was comfortable both for men and horses but we anxiously awaited the arrival of spring to be able to move on. Our task, as outriders, was simply to follow the coffin bearers to ensure their safety in the remoter, more dangerous parts of the kingdom. As outlaws sought weak unarmed prey, six heavily armed warriors did not fall into that category and our progress was undisturbed by miscreants.
The weather was typically variable for the time of year and consequently the roads sometimes slippery with mud. Occasionally, the monks came close to falling and one day, one of them twisted his knee so badly that he could not continue. There were seven of them for this reason since six always shouldered the coffin and the seventh relieved the fir
