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Updated: September 12, 2025
I was mortally glad to ride away into the clear air and the invigorating silence. But on my heart there still lay heavy the twice-repeated prediction of my father and of the Lady Ysolinde, that I should yet return and hold the Red Axe in his place. But I resolved rather to die in the honest front of battle. Nevertheless, had I known the future, I would have seen that they and not I were right.
Her eyes were emerald and beautiful, as the sea is when you look down upon it from a height and the white sand shines up through the clear depths. Such was Ysolinde, daughter of Gerard von Sturm, favorer of Lubber Fiends and creator of this strange paradise through which she glided like a spangled Orient serpent.
I must go to her, my lords; I think she waits for me. The Prince Hugo will take my place at the Council." And the old man took a step from the high seat. But at the foot of the throne he stumbled and fell into my arms. He said but one word after that, with his eyes still fixed on the bolted door. "Ysolinde!" And so the Prince Karl and his wife were united at last.
And ere any one could stop her, the Lady Ysolinde, sobbing and laughing both at once, had overleaped the light barrier, and was thrusting a parchment with a seal into the hands of the Chancellor Michael Texel. "She is mad. Let the justice of the realm be done!" cried again the voice of Master Gerard. And I think the Duke would have ordered it to be so.
And if aught befel from my reticence, it was at least I myself who bore the burden, and, in the final event, paid the penalty. The next morning early, as I went about making my dispositions, and putting men of trust in positions fit for them for the Prince has given me the command of all the soldiers within the city the Lady Ysolinde came to me upon the terrace.
But as soon as we had picked the bones roughly, for there was no time for fine work lest the others should get all the best, we threw the bones out to the hungry crew that watched us sitting round the stalls, their very jowls pendulous with envy. So after a while we came to the end, and then I went to the entrance of the chamber where were bestowed the Little Playmate and the Lady Ysolinde.
I lend her to you. I give her into your hand. Cherish her as your chiefest treasure. Let her enemies be yours, and if harm come to her through your neglect, slay yourself ere you come again before me. For, by the Lord God of all Righteous Judgment, I will have no mercy!" I saw the eyes of the Lady Ysolinde glitter like those of the snake in her belt as thus my father delivered Helene over to me.
Women folk crowded out of the huts and kissed the white feet of the palfrey that bore the Lady Ysolinde. "Have mercy!" they wailed; "show kindness, great Princess! Here are our men, unwounded and unhurt, that have lain by our sides all the night. They are innocent of all intent of evil of every dark deed. Ah, lady, send them not to your prisons.
The Lady Ysolinde could not make enough of our Little Playmate. She laughed back at her over her shoulder when she let her horse out for a canter. She marvelled loudly at Helene's good riding, and at the unbound beauty of the crisp ringlets which clustered round her head like a boy's.
There was mockery of our foolhardy enterprise in the soft whispering sough of the water, as I heard it lapper beneath the ferry-boat that lay ready to cross to the other side. Old Hans, the Prince's ferryman, snored in his boat. Above in the women's chambers a light went to and fro. I judged that it was in the bower of the Lady Ysolinde. But not a string of my heart moved.
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