Part 92 (1/2)

Nothing saying, Beltane arose and went soft-treading from the chamber, past the blood and horror of the breach, and climbing the flanking tower beside the gate, looked to the north. And there he beheld a mighty company that marched forth of the woods, rank upon rank, whose armour, flas.h.i.+ng in the early sun, made a dazzling splendour against the green. Company by company they mustered on the plain, knights and men-at-arms with footmen and archers beyond count.

And presently, before this deep array, two standards were advanced--a white banner whereon was a red lion and a banner on whose blue ground black leopards were enwrought.

Now as Beltane gazed upon this glorious host he felt a gentle hand touch him and turning, beheld the d.u.c.h.ess Helen, and her cheek showed pale with her long night vigil.

”My Beltane,” said she, flus.h.i.+ng 'neath his regard, ”lord Duke of Mortain, behold yonder thy goodly powers of Mortain that shall do thy bidding henceforth--look yonder, my lord Duke!”

”Duke!” quoth Beltane, ”Duke of Mortain--forsooth, and am I so indeed?

I had forgot this quite, in thy beauty, my Helen, and did but know that I had to wife one that I do love beyond all created things. And now, beloved, thy sweet eyes do tell me thy night was sleepless.”

”Mine eyes--ah, look not on them, Beltane, for well I know these poor eyes be all red and swollen with weeping for thee--though indeed I bathed them ere I sought thee--”

”Sweet eyes of love!” said he, setting his arm about her, ”come let me kiss them!”

”Ah, no, Beltane, look yonder--behold where salvation cometh--”

”I had rather look where my salvation lieth, within these dear eyes-- nay, abase them not. And didst weep for me, and wake for me, my Helen?”

”I was so--so fearful for thee, my lord.”

”Aye, and what more?”

”And very sorrowful--”

”Aye, and what more?”

”And--heartsick--”

”Aye, sweet my wife--but what more?”

”And--very lonely, Beltane--”

Then my Beltane caught her close and kissed her full long, until she struggled in his embrace and slipping from him, stood all flushed and breathless and shy-eyed. But of a sudden she caught his hand and pointed where, before the glittering ranks of Mortain's chivalry, a herald advanced.

”Look, Beltane,” she said, ”oh, look and tell me who rideth yonder!”

Now behind this herald two knights advanced, the one in glittering armour whose s.h.i.+eld was resplendent with many quarterings, but beholding his companion, Beltane stared in wondering awe; for lo! he saw a tall man bedight in sable armour who bore a naked sword that flashed in the sun and who bestrode a great, white charger. And because of Friar Martin's dying words, Beltane stood awed and full of amaze.

Nearer and nearer they came until all men might read the cognizance upon the first knight's resplendent s.h.i.+eld and know him for one Sir Jocelyn, lord of Alain, but his companion they knew not, since neither charge nor blazon bore he of any sort. Of a sudden the herald set clarion to lip and blew a challenge that was taken up and answered from within the camp, and forth came Duke Ivo, bare-headed in his armour and with knights attendant, who, silencing the heralds with a gesture, spake loud and fierce.

”Sir Jocelyn, lord of Alain, why come ye against me in arms and so ungently arrayed, wherefore come ye in such force, and for what?”

Then answered Sir Jocelyn:

”My lord Ivo, thou wert upon a time our honoured guest within Mortain, thou didst with honeyed word and tender phrase woo our fair young d.u.c.h.ess to wife. But--and heed this, my lord!--when Helen the Beautiful, the Proud, did thy will gainsay, thou didst in hearing of divers of her lords and counsellors vow and swear to come one day and seek her with flaming brands. So here to-day stand I and divers other gentles of Mortain--in especial this right n.o.ble lord--to tell thee that so long as we be men ne'er shalt set foot across our marches.

Lastly, we are hither come to demand the safe conduct from Belsaye of our lady d.u.c.h.ess Helen, and such of the citizens as may choose to follow her.”

”So!” quoth Duke Ivo, smiling and fingering his long, blue chin, ”'tis war ye do force on me, my lord of Alain?”