“Ho, Huon of Bordeaux, knight of France, I am Malabron of the realm of Fairy, sent hither by King Oberon to give you aid.”
Then did the knight approach nearer to the flood to point to that long and shining tail which Malabron used with as much ease as Huon used his two legs.
“Art thou man or monster?” the youth from Bordeaux demanded.
Malabron laughed. “Neither, sir knight. I wear this strange guise because I have broken the laws of our immortal world. For a thousand weary years must I bide so within the boundaries of your .world and time. And of these years I have served a full nine hundred and fifty. Now shall we consider your straits—Behold, Huon!”
With those words Malabron did clap together his hands, making a loud sound which could be heard even above the roaring of the river. And straightway there came from out of the water itself a fine boat well made and cleverly fashioned to withstand the beating of the water.
Into this Huon did lead his charger, although the beast did rebel against such travel and needs must be constrained to it with many soothing words. Once the knight and his mount were safe aboard, Malabron did grasp with his white teeth the rope which was fastened to the bow. And faster than any mortal might, he swam through the river waters, towing behind him the boat. So was Huon brought to the far side of the river.
When he had disembarked from the boat he thanked Malabron. But the fish-man shook his head against such words, saying in turn:
“Nay, thank me not, Huon of Bordeaux. For by this service to you have I won fifty years remittance from my exile. Now am I free to return to my own land. So rather be my thanks yours. When we meet again I shall be in my proper place among King Oberon’s lords. Therefore, all manner of good luck be yours for this day’s work and may you have the good fortune you deserve!”
With that Malabron sank into the stream and was gone, although Huon called upon him twice or thrice, being ill at ease alone in this strange and desolate land. For by crossing the river he had come into a desert where there seemed to be no other living thing.
But ere he had ridden a full half league he came across footprints in the sand. And so large were these prints that he knew no living man but a giant or monster had made them. Thus he was not surprised to find, upon riding around the edge of a bare rock cliff, a giant sitting in the sand and whetting a twelve-foot sword on a stone.
Now this was the Giant Agraput who was brother to that same Angalafar whom Huon had slain. And when he saw Huon he recognized the coat of mail which the knight wore. So did he take the young man to be some messenger sent by his – brother. And he called to Huon in such a voice as rang from the cliffs like a war trumpet:
“How does my brother, Angalafar? And why has he sent you hither?”
Huon made answer as best he might, saying:
“Angalafar bides quietly at Dunother (which was the truth for he lay at peace in a courtyard grave there) and I ride for Babylon.”
But of his mission he said nothing since he could not speak the truth and he held in mind Oberon’s warning against uttering that which was false.
“Good indeed is it then that Fate has brought us to this meeting,” boomed Agraput, “for I am held in high fear in those parts and, since my brother has given you his fine coat of mail to wear, I can do no less than to give you this.” And he tossed to Huon a ring of red gold which he pulled from his finger and which was so large that the knight needs must set it about his wrist.
“Show that to any who would bar your way at the gates of Babylon. For Gaudys, the Emir of that city, owes me a half year’s tribute and you can remind him of that when you are finished with the task my good brother has set you.”
Huon promised that he would do as Agraput asked and with the Giant’s ring upon his arm he went on his way.
Soon the track he followed led out of this harsh and barren wasteland into a green country where trees of ripening fruit overhung the roads and peasants tilled rich fields. Here did Huon rest the night and ease his mount from weary travel. And he marveled at all that had chanced since he had ridden forth from his keep of Bordeaux. So thinking of his home he did feel the tears rise to his eyes and he knew the pain of an aching heart. For he longed to see once more his gentle mother, the good Duchess Aclis (not knowing that now she lay in her deep tomb) and his brother Gerard who was even then ruling Bordeaux with a stern and heavy hand.
XIV. HOW HUON SPAKE FALSELY AND THE EVIL THAT CAME TO HIM THEREFOR
Wearing the armor of Angalafar and the ring which was Agraput’s, Huon came to the gates of Babylon. To the first guardsman he did show the ring, saying naught lest speech betray him as a stranger to this land, and so great was the fear of Agraput in the city that he was passed freely through the portal. But when he came to a second gate the sentry there raised a spear against him and bade him tell who he was and from. whence he came.
The French knight replied shortly that he was one Huon and that he had weighty business with the Emir Gaudys. Then he also held forth his wrist that the sentry might see the Giant’s ring. The Saracen did bow low but still held his place barring the road, saying:
“The Giant Agraput is indeed a great lord and much esteemed by our Emir. But those who serve him are many and not always of our kind. This is a high feast day for the followers of the Prophet and no unbeliever must lie within our walls at this time. So I must ask you, stranger, are you of our true faith?”
Huon, being impatient and wishful to win into the city, answered quickly, “Aye.”
Nor was it until he was within the walls of Babylon that he bethought himself that he had spoken that which was false. So was he in some unease of mind, remembering how Oberon had so sternly warned him against that sin. But he comforted himself with the belief that his fault had come through impatience and not because he had willed to err and he hoped that for such an excuse the Fairy King would not forsake him.
However, at that moment King Oberon, sitting at ease in his court, cried aloud so that his chief lord Gloriant asked if he felt some pang. And Oberon made sorrowful answer thus:
“Aye, deep into my heart has struck a spear of pain, for that youth, Huon of Bordeaux, whom I love as a brother, hath broken his pledged word. With black falsehood upon his lips has he ridden into Babylon. And there he is fated to fall into such danger as will claim his life. So shall he call upon me for aid in his extremity, but I cannot go to him. Unless Our Lord Jesu Himself hold out His Hand, Huon be sped!”
And so great was his grief that he went out from the company of his lords and abode alone, weeping, for many hours’ space.
But in Babylon Huon rode on to the Emir’s palace, no man saying him nay, for all saw Agraput’s ring and thought the young knight to be the Giant’s rightful messenger.
Now Gaudys had spread a feast for all comers, since he was minded that day to betroth his daughter Claramonde to the Dey of Hircania. Upon his right hand was the Dey seated and there was much mirth and joy among the company— until Huon did enter, his shield ready upon his shoulder, his unsheathed sword in his hand. All marveled to see an armed man come into them as if he sought some sworn enemy there. But the Emir, seeing the ring about the youth’s wrist, thought him the messenger of Agraput whom all there feared and he arose to bid the stranger courteous welcome.
Only, before he could speak the words which lay upon his tongue, Huon did tread lightly to the side of Claramonde and, raising her up from her seat, did kiss her full upon her lips even as Charlemagne had ordered him.
Then he turned quickly and, with his naked sword, he smote off the head of the Dey so that it rolled across the feast table to the very fingers of Gaudys.