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"Thy man am I, to follow thee in life and go down with thee in death " Now hereupon Beltane came close, and in the dim light Black Roger beheld the new Beltane glaring down at him fierce-eyed and with great mailed fist clenched to smite; but even so Black Roger gave not back, only he drew dagger and strove to set it in Beltane's iron fingers.
And now Beltane glancing up and finding the sun high, summoned Giles and Roger beside him. "Friends," said he, "we have journeyed farther than methought. Now let us turn into the boskage yonder and eat." So in a while, the horses tethered, behold them within a leafy bower eating and drinking and laughing like the blithe foresters they were, until, their hunger assuaged, they made ready to mount.
"Ah, Beltane these be fresh men on fresh horses," cried Sir Benedict, "but hey body o' me all's not lost yet malediction, no! And 'tis scarce half a mile to the gates. Ha yonder rides lusty Hacon to stay their rush in upon them. Beltane Ho, Pentavalon!"
A shock of hard-smitten steel a whirl and flurry of blows a shout of triumph, and, reeling in his saddle, dazed and sick, Beltane found himself alone, fronting a bristling line of feutred lances; he heard Roger shout to him wild and fearful, heard Walkyn roar at him felt a sudden shock, and was down, unhelmed, and pinned beneath his stricken charger.
"How came you by the rose, Giles?" "Why, in the first place, tall brother, I stole it " "Stole it!" repeated Beltane, and behold! his frown was gone completely. "But, in the second place, brother, 'twas given to me " "Given to thee by whom?" and immediately Beltane's frown was back again.
But as for you, get you to Pentavalon and say the Duke is dead, in proof whereof take you this my ring and so, farewell. Then, my Beltane, God guiding me, I brought thee to these solitudes, for I am he that was the Duke Beltane, and thou art my son indeed."
Though we maintain our walls a year, or two, or three, yet in the end Belsaye must fall." "And I tell thee, Beltane, were Ivo twice as strong Belsaye should yet withstand him. So gloom not, lad, Belsaye is safe, the sun shineth and behold my arm 'tis well-nigh healed, thanks to to skilful nursing " "Of the Duchess Helen, Benedict?" "Ha so hast found it out at last, lad " "Knew you she was here?"
But, looking up, Beltane shook his head and answered: "Holy father, thou art wise and wondrous learned in the reading of books and in the ancient wisdoms and philosophies, yet methinks this love is a thing no book can teach thee, a truth a man must needs find out for himself." "And think you I know nought of love, Beltane, the pain and joy of it and the shame?
With Helen's soft hand a-tremble in his, Beltane hasted down from the tower and Sir Benedict followed, until they were come to the square where, amid the joyful acclaim of the populace, their small and hardy following were drawn up; and, as they came, from townsfolk and soldiery a shout arose: "Beltane the Duke the Duke!"
An it be thy will to leave me to perish alone here in the wilderness, first break thy fast, and suffer me to bind up thy hurt, so shalt thou ride hence in comfort." Now stood Beltane motionless and silent, nor turned nor dared he look upon Sir Fidelis, but bowed his head in bitter shame, and, therewith, knew a great remorse.
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