‘Baldwin, it’s been a marvellous experience,’ Simon said at last.
‘I am only sorry that it is over,’ his friend replied. ‘We must return to our true lives now. I am not sure I am ready to. There is a curious urge in me to go on another pilgrimage.’
‘Perhaps you are better suited to travel,’ Simon said. ‘Especially sea-travel!’
‘Yes, well — I think that we have been unfortunate in our choice of vessels and ship-masters.’
Simon nodded, and glanced westwards. The sky was already darkening with twilight. ‘You’ve been all over the world, Baldwin, whereas I have never been farther than Exeter until now. You’ve made me see places I wouldn’t have dreamed of seeing. Compostela, Ennor — the world is so much larger than I had thought.’
‘And now you shall go to Dartmouth and be the Master of the Port for our friend the Abbot,’ Baldwin said. ‘While I shall retire to Furnshill and occasionally visit Crediton when there is a matter requiring my attention. Perhaps you shall become the traveller instead of me?’
Simon heard a squeal of delight, and turned to see his wife at the doorway, his son in her arms.
With a smile, he shook his head. ‘No, Baldwin. I don’t want to travel. I want to stay at my home, and will do so for as long as God allows me.’
* See The Outlaws of Ennor.