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The king was angry at this, for he knew that Ranier had not been bred to arms, and readily penetrated the purpose that prompted the suggestion. Before he could answer, however, Sir Ranier, who had heard the words of Dyvorer, spoke up and said: "I pray you, sire, to let me go; for, though I may not depend much upon my lance and sword, I have an ax that never fails me."
Dyvorer sought out Ranier, to whom he professed great friendship, with many regrets for all he might have said or done in the past calculated to give annoyance. As Dyvorer was a great dissembler, and Ranier was frank and unsuspicious, they became very intimate. At length, one day when they were together, Dyvorer said: "Have you ever solicited the king for the favor he promised?"
Then the king remembered of the marvelous feats which he had seen Ranier perform in his behalf, and he replied: "You shall go, Sir Ranier; and as the Lord Dyvorer has made a suggestion of such profit, he shall have the high honor of attending as one of the knights in your train, where he will, doubtless, support you well."
When Dyvorer and others heard this, they were more envious than ever, and concerted together a plan for the ruin of Lord Treefell, for such was Sir Ranier's new title. After many things had been proposed and rejected, Dyvorer said: "The Princess Isauré loves this stripling, as I have been told by my sister, the Lady Zanthe, who attends on her highness.
And Ranier answered, "No!" "Then," said Dyvorer, "it is a pity that you do not love the Princess Isauré." "Why?" inquired Ranier. "Because," replied Dyvorer, "the princess not only favors you, but, I think, from what my sister Zanthe has said, that the king has taken this mode of giving her to you at her instance."
So when the king and some of the great lords of the court were engaged in talking of the battle that was soon to be fought, one of the conspirators, named Dyvorer, approached them, and said: "Why not send Sir Ranier there, sire; for he is, no doubt, a brave and accomplished knight, and would render great service?"
At this, the rest laughed, and Dyvorer was much troubled, for he was a great coward. But he dared not refuse obedience. The next morning, Sir Ranier departed along with the king for the field of battle, bearing his ax with him; and, when they arrived, they found both sides drawn up in battle order, and waiting the signal to begin.
Then said Dyvorer: "No doubt, here is a good opportunity for Sir Ranier to show his prowess." "Be sure that it is!" exclaimed Sir Ranier; and he rode forward to engage Sir Paul. When the Bohemian knight saw only a stripling, armed with a woodman's ax, he laughed. "Is this girl their champion, then?" he asked. "Say thy prayers, young sir, for thou art not long for this world, I promise thee."
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