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Updated: June 13, 2025
To your files there pikes to the front and rear, bows to the flanks forward!" But now, as with a ring and clash and tramp of feet the ragged company fell into rank and order, the witch-woman came swiftly beside Beltane and, touching him not, spake softly in his ear. "Beltane Beltane, lord Duke of Pentavalon!" Now hereupon Beltane started, and turning, looked upon her grave-eyed.
"Nay, Roger, sworn art thou to redeem Pentavalon: so now, in her name do I charge thee, haste to Sir Jocelyn, an he yet live seek Giles and Walkyn and whoso else ye may, and bring them hither at speed. If ye find me not here, then hie ye all to Thrasfordham, for by to-morrow Sir Pertolepe and Gui of Allerdale will have raised the country against us.
Pentavalon!" Then, while all eyes beheld and all ears hearkened, Beltane spake him, plain and to the point, as was his custom: "Behold now, men of Belsaye, these our enemies do cry us mercy, and shall we not bestow it? Moreover one living hostage is better than two foemen slain. Entreat them gently, therefore, but let me see them lodged secure ere I march hence."
"Aye, master," said Roger hoarsely, "and yonder as the dust clears you shall see the walls and towers of Pentavalon City!" "And lord lord," cried Walkyn, "yonder in their rear you shall see Red Pertolepe's accursed Raven banner! Why tarry we here, lord? See, their ranks break everywhere 'twill be hot-foot now for the city gates ha, let us on, master!"
So henceforth in Pentavalon the woods are free I pray you let this be proclaimed forthwith, my lord." Quoth Sir Benedict, as with Roger's aid Beltane did on his armour: "There is a postern beyond the pleasaunce yonder shall bring you forth of the city and no man the wiser." "Why, then, bring ye the horses thither, Roger, and haste ye!"
A while Sir Pertolepe bit savagely at his knuckle-bones, then, lifting his head, spake that all might hear: "Ho, sirs!" he cried, "I am fain to bide awhile and hold talk with one Beltane, who styleth himself Duke of Pentavalon. Hie ye back, therefore, one and all, and wait me in Garthlaxton; yet, an I come not by sunset, ride forth and seek me within the forest. Go!"
"Lord," said he, "thy long sword is missing, methinks. Take now this axe in place of it 'twas my brother's once. See, I have kept it bright, for I loved him. He was a man. Yet man art thou also, worthy, methinks, and able to wield it. Take it therefore, lord Duke that art my brother-in-arms; mayhap it shall aid thee to bring order in the wild-wood and win Pentavalon to freedom.
"My lord Beltane," said he softly, "of what think you?" "Of Pentavalon, and how soonest her sorrows may be done away." "Lovest thou Pentavalon indeed, messire?" "Aye, truly, Fidelis." "Then wherefore let her suffer longer?" "Suffer? Aye, there it is but how may I bring her woes to sudden end? I am too weak, her oppressors many, and my men but few "
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."
"Forsooth," sighed Beltane, "here be lords a-plenty in Pentavalon!"
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