An idea came to Belward.
"Kings used to make pilgrimages before they took their crowns, why shouldn't I ?" he said half-jestingly.

Most men placed similarly would have been so engaged with the main event that they had never thought of this other.

But Belward was not excited.

He was moving deliberately, prepared for every situation.

He had a great game in hand, and he had no fear of his ability to play it.