Now Huon had encompassed the keep held in defiance by Angelars and, although those within fought bravely and with much spirit, yet were they in the end defeated and the keep taken. Then did Huon hang the traitor Angelars upon his own high tower and with him divers of his captains. But he freed those of the common sort who had but served their lord in this bad business. Having done so he returned to Bordeaux, meeting on the way those heralds who had been sent out by the Emperor to summon all the knights of Christendom to the tournament at Mayence. And hearing of this Huon and his men were much pleased and decided to go thither at the proper time to win honor and glory for the realm of France.
The Duchess Claramonde knew great joy and happiness when her lord returned thus speedily to her without hurt and she caused a feast to be made so that all might partake and so share in . her pleasure. To this feast came Godrun of Noremberg, all unknowing, with his distressful knowledge of the plot against his friend. He contrived to have speech privately with Duke Huon and his lady.
“Lord Duke, in former years when your father, the mighty Sevin, still walked this earth, I dwelt happily in these halls as one of his fosterlings. You I did know well then and ofttimes we did strive together in sport. Now it is with shame and sorrow that I come into your presence with such a story on my lips.
“For know you this—now am I liege man to that Duke Raoul who is nephew to the Emperor of Alamayne. And this Raoul is a mighty lord in battle, none of the knights of Christendom has been able to stand against him lance to lance, sword to sword, shield to shield, and come the better from the encounter. But in other ways he is not so great a man.
“Hearing tales of the beauty and courtesy of this lady, your Duchess, he put on him the sorry guise of a pilgrim and came even into this very hall. Beholding the lady, he coveted her to be his wife and is determined to make his wishes in this matter true. You he holds of little account because of your youth and because Bordeaux is not as large as the fief he rules. So he has caused his uncle, the Emperor, to proclaim a tournament to draw you to Mayence where he may challenge you to single combat and kill you, taking both your lady and your land unto himself!”
Now, upon hearing this, the heart of Huon did swell with red rage that such an insult should be laid upon his lady and upon him. And he drew out his sword so that the torchlight in the hall did fall full upon his blade as he cried: “Should this black-hearted Duke have a hundred full armed knights in his train and I stand alone but for this blade, yet will I face him in battle!”
And the Duchess Claramonde rose in her place, her eyes, too, full of the fire of war. And she said:
“Husband, right well do you speak! This Raoul is no true knight, nay, by his action he denies the very sword and spurs he wears. So hot am I against him that I would I might put on coat-mail and helm and ride at your right hand in such array when you go up against him!”
Huon laughed right joyfully at her words and said to Godrun:
“You see, friend, this is our temper and it shall be the undoing of so proud and willful a lord as this Duke Raoul. I have heard at all times good report of your Emperor who men bespeak as a just and generous lord. Now I shall ride to him and ask for his word upon the matter.”
Thus it was decided and, with Godrun and others who were of his following, Huon set forth for the city of Mayence.
III. HOW HUON SETTLED HIS QUARREL WITH RAOUL, TRUSTING IN THE EMPEROR’S JUSTICE
But while they yet were some distance from Mayence, Huon summoned to him his principal knights and made plain to them his desire—that he ride alone to the court of the Emperor, since this quarrel with Duke Raoul was his only and not to be pursued by other men. All raised their voices and spoke against him in this matter, but he would not be gainsaid and, in the end, it went as he willed and he rode alone into the stronghold of the enemy.
Now the Emperor had decreed feasting for all comers and welcomed to his own table those knights who were minded to try their fortune at the jousting. When Huon came into the city, all clad in mail, his helm on his head, lance in hand, he rode straight into the hall of the Emperor where all the court sat in merriment and good cheer over their meat. And all there were greatly amazed to see a knight in such warlike guise ride in amongst them. So that the Emperor called thus to him with his own voice:
“Ha, sir knight, and what manner of man be you to ride so boldly and in such rude, warlike dress into this company? Know you not that I be Emperor of all this land and to me men do full courtesy?”
At the right hand of the Emperor sat the Duke Raoul. No armor was on him, no helm hid his comely face. But he was clad in a seemly robe of rich crimson with much gold thread worked into it in a cunning manner, showing a hunt with hounds and hart in full cry. Though his heart was foul yet his appearance was fair, and of all the lords there assembled at that time he was the best to look upon—saving only Huon.
But when the Duke of Bordeaux did gaze upon the face of his enemy and thought of all which had been reported to him by Godrun concerning Raoul, he did believe the Emperor’s nephew like unto a demon out of Hell. And his rage arose in his throat until it was like to choke him, so that he needs must turn aside his eyes from Raoul lest he be moved by his hate to strike him down where he sat in such ease and splendor.
So Huon came before the Emperor and made answer to him clearly.
“Lord Emperor, I am liege man to Charlemagne of France and have come hither to try my fortune in the tournament which your heralds have proclaimed throughout Christendom. But in this hour I stand here before you for another cause, also, for I would ask of you justice—since you are renowned for your fair dealing with all men.”
And the Emperor smiled upon Huon and he put forth his hand to urge silence upon all those who sat there.
“Never hath any man, gentle or common, come crying to me for justice that I did not make full answer according to the wits and heart the good God granted to me at my birthing. Speak on, stranger, what is your plaint?”
And Huon straightway told his story.
“This is how it has fared with me, Lord Emperor. Know you that I hold a fief of some small wealth, which I am lord of by right of birth and the might of my sword arm. And also, by the Grace of the Lord Jesu, I rejoice in the love of a fair lady whom I won to wife after many fell dangers and much bitter suffering.
“When I was from home on affairs of my fief, a lord of your following did come in disguise into my keep for no other purpose than to look upon my lady of whom he had heard much report. When he saw her he did purpose to take her for his own, deeming me of little account and not to be held in esteem. Yea, he even made sport of me before his men, saying that he would easily slay me in this tournament and take my wife and my fief for his own.
“So do I ride to you in the guise of war, that I may demand justice against this villain. Now do I cast down my glove and face him sword to sword and shield to shield that I may wrack upon his body the punishment he deserves!”
But black now was the Emperor’s face and hot his voice as he made answer: “Such a man is not worthy to be called in combat, as if he were truly a belted knight of honor and goodly life. Therefore, if it be true that he is man of mine, I give you full leave to slay him wherever you may chance upon him and in whatever degree he now abides!”