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Updated: May 8, 2025
And, in a while, Walkyn, that had been Waldron of Brand, rose up from his knees, and running forth of the chamber, hasted down the dark and narrow stair.
"Thus, then, saith Walkyn o' the Dene: That scarce had he stormed and set fire to yonder prison-keep, than from the south cometh a great company, the which he at the first did take for ye. But, in a while, behold Sir Pertolepe's accursed Raven banner, the which giveth Walkyn much to think.
Then the outlaws surged closer, a dark, menacing ring where steel flickered; but lo! to Roger's right hand sprang Walkyn, gripping his axe, and upon his left came Giles, his long-bow poised, a shaft upon the string; so stood the three alert and watchful, eager for fight, what time the struggle waxed ever more fierce and deadly.
"Messire," said the archer, "my lord Duke's gallows is great and very strong, and we but five all told!" "I have mine axe!" quoth Walkyn. "Had we fifty axes we scarce should bring it down ere dawn: moreover, the night is very still and sounds carry far " "Nathless," quoth Roger, "to-night we surely shall destroy it my lord hath said so." "Aye but how?" questioned Giles.
Howbeit this day I seek them out " "Seek them 'tis death!" "Death let it be, 'tis none so fearful!" "They will slay thee out of hand a wild rabblement, lawless and disordered!" "So would I bring order among them, Giles. And thou shalt aid me." "I aid thee? How would'st have me company with such vile carrion? Not I, forsooth. I am a soldier, free-born, and no serf like Walkyn or villein like Roger.
Howbeit, now shall he prove thy word, for here I wait the hunters, and to-day will I, keeping ever out of bow-shot, lead them through every quag, every bog and marsh 'twixt here and Hundleby Fen, and of those that follow still, thou and Walkyn and our merry men shall make an end, I pray God. So let all lie well hid, and watch for my coming. And now farewell to thee, Roger."
So cried he, and, plunging into the thick of the affray, smote aside all such as barred his way until he fronted Sir Pertolepe, who, astride a powerful mailed charger, wielded a bloody mace, and who, hearing that hoarse cry, turned and met the shearing axe with blazoned shield and behold! the gorgeous shield was split in twain; but even so, he smote in turn and mighty Walkyn was beaten to his knee.
Then, or ever Beltane could stay him, Walkyn o' the Dene laid by his axe, and, his soaked shoes soundless upon the stones, began to steal upon the unconscious singer, who yet lolled upon his spear some thirty paces away.
"Then it is agreed!" said Beltane and beckoned to Roger and Walkyn; quoth he: "Good friends, go now and choose three hundred trusty fellows, skilled foresters all; look that each doth bear flint and steel for by yon clouds I judge 'twill be a dark night.
But, for Sir Benedict a right lusty knight in sooth, master! and he doth hunger for sight of thee. He hath had me, with Walkyn and the archer, speak full oft of how we fired the gibbet and roars mighty laughs to hear how thou didst bear off Sir Pertolepe in the green aye, Sir Benedict doth love to hear tell of that." "Aye; and what of Duke Ivo where is he now, Roger?"
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