I told them the Ry of Rys had said no
patrins should mark the road Jethro Fawe's feet walked. I had heard of
this gathering here, and I was on my way to bid them begone, for in
following the Ry they have broken his command. As I came, I met the woman
of this tent who has been your friend. She is a good woman; she has
suffered. Her people are gone, but she has a heart for others. I met her.
She told me of what that rogue and devil had done and would do. He is the
head of the Fawes, but the Ry of Rys is the head of all the Romanys of
the world. He has spoken the Word against Jethro, and the Word shall
prevail. The Word of the Ry when it is given cannot be withdrawn. It is
like the rock on which the hill rests."
"They did not go with him?" she asked.
"It is not the custom," he answered sardonically. "That is a path a
Romany walks alone."
Her face was white. "But he has not come to the end of the path--has he?"
she asked tremulously. "Who can tell? This day, or twenty years from now,
or to-morrow, or next moon, he will come to the end of the path. No one
knows, he least of all. He will not see the end, because the road is
dark. I don't think it will be soon," he added, because he saw how
haggard her face had grown. "No, I don't think it will be soon.
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