beast-lord

Updated: May 17, 2025

Then thou saidst; 'Well, I suppose thou wilt be for slaying me. 'Nay, said I, 'We will not slay thee; at least not for this, nor now, nor without terms. Thou saidst: 'Perchance then thou wilt let me go free, since this man was ill-beloved: yea, and he owed me a life. 'Nay, nay, said I, 'not so fast, good beast-lord. 'Why not? saidst thou, 'I can see of thee that thou art a valiant man, and whereas thou hast been captain of the host, and the men-at-arms will lightly do thy bidding, why shouldest thou not sit in the place of this man, and be Lord of Utterbol?

William Morris - The Well at the World's End: a tale