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Updated: June 19, 2025
Thus rode they through the leafy by-ways, avoiding town and village; yet oft from afar they heard the joyous throb of bells upon the air, or the sound of merry voices and happy laughter from village commons where folk rejoiced together that Ivo's iron yoke was lifted from them at last.
"Garthlaxton!" cried Eric, "Garthlaxton!" and thereafter all men stared on Beltane as one that is mad. "Look now," said Beltane, "Sir Pertolepe hath ridden forth with all his company to join Black Ivo's banner. Thus, within Garthlaxton his men be few; moreover I know a secret way beneath the wall. Well, is't enough? Who among ye will follow, and smite for freedom and Pentavalon?"
And so, walking proud and tall, she passed out before them, whereat Duke Ivo's black brow grew the blacker, and he stared before him with narrowed eyes, beholding which, the faces of my lady's counsellors waxed anxious and long; only Winfrida, chiefest of the ladies, watched the Duke 'neath drooping lids and with a smile upon her full, red lips.
So within this narrow gap, where shapeless things stirred and whimpered in the dark, Beltane leaned breathless upon his sword and looked down upon the watch-fires of Duke Ivo's great camp. But, even as he gazed, these fires were blotted out where dark figures mounted fresh to the assault, and once again sword and axes fell to their dire work.
"My lord 'tis true our wars be ended I thank God, and we may sheathe our swords at last, but the woods be full of Black Ivo's scattered soldiery, with outlaws and other masterless men." "Ha, verily, lords," quoth Roger, "there shall many turn outlaw, methinks " "Then must we end outlawry!" said Beltane, frowning. "And how would'st do it, Beltane?"
In a while he groaned and opened his eyes to find Black Roger bathing his face what time Giles o' the Bow held wine to his lips, while at his feet, a wild figure grim and ragged, stood a tall, hairy man leaning upon a blood-stained axe. "Aha!" cried the bowman. "Come now, my lovely fighter, my gentle giant, sup this 'tis life, and here behold a venison steak fit for Duke Ivo's self, come "
They all took part in this persistent calling, and only stopped, now and then, to show the goosey-gander the landmarks they were travelling over. The places on this route included Linderödsosen's dry hills, Ovesholm's manor, Christianstad's church steeple, Bäckaskog's royal castle on the narrow isthmus between Oppmann's lake and Ivö's lake, Ryss mountain's steep precipice.
And ever as they came Friar Martin smote, sword in hand, on door and shuttered window, and cried hoarse and loud: "Ye men of Belsaye fathers and husbands, arm ye, arm ye! Ye greybeards that have seen Duke Ivo's mercy, arm ye! Your foes be in, to burn, to loot again and ravish! O ye husbands and fathers, arise, arise arm, arm and follow me to smite for wife and children!"
"Ah, Beltane Beltane, my lord!" she panted, "but that I am under a vow, now could I tell thee a thing would fire thy soul to madness but, O believe, believe, and know ye this when Duke Ivo's embassy shall tell thee all, thou shalt suffer them to take thee thou shalt endure bonds and shame and death itself.
"How! how!" cried the ancient man, letting fall his rusty sword, "Destroy Black Ivo's gibbet? Dare ye dare ye such a thing indeed? Are there men with souls unconquered yet? Methought all such were old, or dead, or fled away dare ye this, youth?" "Aye," nodded Beltane.
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