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Updated: June 13, 2025
So hath Duke Ivo put a price upon his head and decreed that he shall forthright be hunted down, and thereto hath sent runners far and near with his exact description, the which have I heard and can most faithfully repeat an you so desire?" "Aye me!" sighed the Duchess, a little wearily. "As thus, lady. Item: calleth himself Beltane, son of Beltane, Duke of Pentavalon that was: Item "
"These honourable men shall bring you safe upon your way haste you to be gone. And should any ask how Garthlaxton fell, say, 'twas by the hand of God, as a sure and certain sign that Pentavalon shall yet arise to smite evil from her borders. Say also that he that spake you this was one Beltane, son of Beltane the Strong, heretofore Duke of Pentavalon."
Moreover I am not learned like Giles, nor ready of tongue, nor " "Art wondrous skilled in wood-lore, my Rogerkin!" quoth Giles. "Forsooth, lord, there is no man knoweth more of forestry than my good comrade Roger!" "So will I make of him my chiefest huntsman, Giles " "Master O master!" gasped Roger. "And set thee over all my foresters of Pentavalon, Roger."
"Jump, I say: I will follow thee." So, groaning, Black Roger hurled his sword far out from the window, and leaping from the sill, was gone. Then Beltane turned and looked upon Gui of Allerdale. "Seneschal," said he, "I who speak am he, who, an God so wills, shall be Duke of Pentavalon ere long: howbeit, I will keep my promise to thee, so aid me God!"
"Come now, discourse to me of worldly things how men do trim their beards these days, what sins be most i' the fashion, if Duke Ivo sleepeth a-nights, whether Pentavalon city standeth yet?"
"Devil, forsooth!" he gasped, "aha, I've seen many a man hang for less than this " "True," sighed Beltane, "men hang for small matters here in Pentavalon, and to hang is an evil death, methinks!" "So, so!" nodded Black Roger, grim-smiling, "I've watched them kick a fair good while, betimes!" "Ah!" cried Beltane, his eyes widening, "those hands of thine, belike, have hanged a man ere this?"
Item third: happiness is the birthright of every man. Moreover I have learned that behind the blackest cloud is a glory of sun, and beyond sorrow, joy. So do I rejoice that all is like to be well with thee." "Well with me, say you? Is Pentavalon free, Roger? Do I not lie here, weak and helpless my company scattered? O, call you this well, forsooth?"
"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?"
But hale was I, mind and body, and I do know the Duke thy father fell to strange and sudden madness upon that dreadful day, whereby came woe to Pentavalon, and bitter remorse to him. This do I swear, thy mother was noble wife and saintly woman!" "Loved she my father?" "Aye, verily she was his wife!
But hereupon Beltane got him to his knees and made shift to stand, and, coming to the tree, leaned there, being faint and much spent. "Aha, sweet lord," cried the archer, "a man after my very heart art thou. What wonders have we achieved this night paladins in sooth we be, all four! By the blessed bones of St. Giles, all Pentavalon shall ring with our doings anon."
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