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"You set my mind much at ease, Aymery," said the King; "for if nothing has come to your ears, then surely it cannot be. It was said that the wild Knight de Chargny had come down to St. Omer with his eyes upon my precious jewel and his mailed hands ready to grasp it." "Nay, sire, let him come. He will find the jewel safe in its strong box, with a goodly guard over it."
Let the matter bide in my hands. But I marvel much that Sir Aymery the Lombard hath not come to us yet from Windsor." From the moment of his arrival at Tilford, again and again King Edward had asked most eagerly whether Sir Aymery had come, and whether there was any news of him, so that the courtiers glanced at each other in wonder.
The tramp and jingle of the horses broke loud upon the ear, and ended in hoarse voices calling out of the darkness, which were answered by the archers posted as sentries without the door. "Some traveler has indeed arrived, my liege," said Nigel. "What is your royal will?" "It can be but Aymery," the King answered, "for it was only to him that I left the message that he should follow me hither.
"I pray you that you will let me see it, sire," said Chandos. "De Chargny was my prisoner, and so many letters passed ere his ransom was paid that his script is well-known to me. Yes, yes, I will swear that this is indeed his. If my salvation were at stake I could swear it." "If it were indeed written by de Chargny it was to dishonor me," cried Sir Aymery. "Nay, nay!" said the young Prince.
"I am Sir Aymery of Pavia," he whispered. "For God's sake, tell me! is the King within?" "He is at table, fair sir, and he bids you to enter." "One moment, young man, one moment, and a secret word in your ear. Wot you why it is that the King has sent for me?" Nigel read terror in the dark cunning eyes which glanced in sidelong fashion into his. "Nay, I know not."
"I would I knew I would I was sure ere I sought his presence." "You have but to cross the threshold, fair sir, and doubtless you will learn from the King's own lips." Sir Aymery seemed to gather himself as one who braces for a spring into ice-cold water. Then he crossed with a quick stride from the darkness into the light.
For Aymery was known to all of them as a famous mercenary of Italy, lately appointed Governor of Calais, and this sudden and urgent summons from the King might well mean some renewal of the war with France, which was the dearest wish of every soldier.
"I pray you, Nigel, to send out the servants, so that we may be alone. I would have two men-at-arms at every door lest we be disturbed in our debate, for it is a matter of privacy. And now, Sir Aymery, these noble lords as well as I, your master, would fain hear from your own lips how all goes forward in France."
"You are the guard over my jewel, Aymery." "Yes, sire, I am the guard." "And you are a faithful guard and one whom I can trust, are you not? You would not barter away that which is so dear to me when I have chosen you out of all my army to hold it for me?" "Nay, sire, what reasons can there be for such questions? They touch my honor very nearly.
"Aymery of Pavia, you have heard your doom," said Edward, leaning his chin upon his hand and glooming at the cowering Italian. "Step forward, you archer at the door, you with the black beard. Draw your sword! Nay, you white-faced rogue, I would not dishonor this roof-tree by your blood. It is your heels, not your head, that we want.
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