That night their campfires made a blazing ring without end, encircling the walls of Bordeaux.
Then did Huon say to Gerames:
“Look you how this Emperor takes his ease before my walls, setting out his meat and drink to consume at leisure because he thinks us entrapped, to be taken and slain whene’er he wishes. Let us issue forth and show him what manner of prey he seeks!”
So did a picked force come silently out of the city by a postern gate and they rode as swift as the wind, silent as the clouds of the night, down upon the enemy camp. There they wrought such damage as the Alamayne force did think might be done by demons. Full many knights died that hour, and the Emperor was fain to cry aloud with rage and pain.
But Huon’s force withdrew into the city again, with joy and ease of heart because of the grievous blow that they had successfully dealt. And the Duke said to his men:
“Where is Sir Gerames? I do not hear his voice raised in our rejoicing.”
Then a knight, wounded almost unto death, rode forward crying:
“Alas, Lord Duke, in that last charge Sir Gerames was swept from his horse and if he be not dead, then he is surely in the hands of the enemy!”
V. HOW GERAMES WAS BROUGHT OUT OF MORTAL DANGER AND HUON WAS FORCED TO SEEK AID
Gerames, bleeding from many wounds and helpless, was brought before the Emperor, who was overjoyed at the capture of a lord so high in the council of the enemy. And in high good humor he called forth to the men of his host:
“Here have we one of these stout villains who oppose us. Now, to the man who brings me Huon also so humbled, will I give both this proud city of Bordeaux and the Lady Claramonde herself.”
But Gerames faced him right proudly and with , head held high, saying in return:
“Bold words, my Lord Emperor, bold words. Not yet have you or any man of yours won within the gates of Bordeaux save that he went so as a prisoner of ours. And Duke Huon shall hold those same gates fast against all comers as long as it be needful. No knight in all the land of Alamayne can take this city or humble its lord!”
And at this speech from a captive, standing chained and unarmed, the Emperor was wroth indeed, and he turned to his marshal, Sir Otho, ordering him in this wise:
“Take forth this gray-bearded fool and any we have captured with him, build high a gallows nigh unto the city wall. And when that be finished— hang them all!”
Sir Otho stirred not from his place, but rather cautioned his liege lord with these words:
“Sire, if we do your will in this matter then shall those of Bordeaux be moved to act likewise against men of ours who lie captive behind their walls. Pray you, by the grace of Our Lord Jesu, think again before you order this thing.”
But the Emperor turned upon him a face so black with wrath that he needs must obey. And sorrowfully he led forth Gerames and divers other men of Bordeaux who had been taken in the battle.
By the walls of Bordeaux, hardly a bowshot length beyond the main gate, the men of Alamayne erected a wide gallows. And those within the city came to stand upon the battlements and look down to see what was being done. Huon beat his fists upon the harsh stone and called forth:
“Shall we allow our brothers-in-arms to be so served? Let all who will helm and horse and follow me. For if we allow this to be done to them then shall never again our honor be bright in the sight of men!”
And all those who could sit horse or draw a bow made ready to issue out in rescue.
Once again Sir Otho had gone in to the Emperor and there, holding himself humbly, made again a plea for mercy.
“Sire, truly has this Duke Huon hurt your heart when he slew before your eyes the Duke Raoul whom you loved right well. But let him pay for this in Christian wise. Let him voyage to the Holy Land and there do proper penance. Do you send now a herald unto the city and—”
But no more words left his lips for the Emperor gave a roar of rage—like unto the roar of a wounded boar—and Sir Otho was forced away by his friends lest the Emperor order him hanged also. Sadly the marshal returned to the foot of the gallows. But there he set no guard and he delayed the hanging as long as he might, hoping that the Emperor might yet relent his harshness.
There came a brazen clang as down fell the drawbridge of Bordeaux and out of that city came a desperate band of fighting men. Down upon the gallows they whirled and there they cut free the prisoners, while another force spurred ahead to use sword and lance upon the men of Alamayne. Before the Emperor could order his army, they were back again into the city—only with them they had swept Sir Otho and a hundred more of the enemy.
. These Huon would have used even as the Emperor had ordered done to the men of Bordeaux— hanging them together from the battlements. But Gerames spoke for them, telling all that Sir Otho had done to make peace. So Huon pardoned the prisoners in the name of his beloved friend.
Now that very night there was born to Duke Huon and the Lady Claramonde a daughter. And about her cradle in the keep there appeared divers of the ladies of Elfland, each bringing to the child her blessing and the promise that she would wear a crown and rule as a powerful and well-beloved queen. But the chief of these ladies looked most sorrowfully upon Huon and his duchess and she spoke through falling tears:
“Lord Duke and Lady Duchess, sore are our hearts in Elfland and we grieve for you and for this fair Clarette, born your daughter. By the Law of Fairies King Oberon cannot succor you in this distress since he had proclaimed that after him you shall reign our king and queen and to that estate you must now win by your own strength and endeavor. He bids me tell you that you shall not again look upon his face until that distant hour when you twain will meet for the last time. So wait no longer to seek for aid—if you have any to seek!”
When the Elf ladies had gone Huon called to him his herald, Herbourny, and instructed him in this wise:
“Raise you the flag of truce and ride into the camp of the Alamayne men. There seek out the Emperor and say to him that much blood has been spent by both of us in this quarrel. But if he will declare an end to warfare, then shall I make submission unto him as a vassal to his rightful lord, holding Bordeaux by his permission—since the King of France has come not to my aid. And likewise I shall go to the Sepulcher of Our Lord Jesu in the Holy Land to pray for the good of all of us. But if the Emperor says nay to this, then shall we fight on until the last stone be tumbled from our walls!”
So did Herbourny bear the message given him by Huon, and the lords of Alamayne would have been content with the terms the Duke proposed. But the Emperor, mad with hate, would have none of it and drove the herald from him with threats.
Huon then summoned to him all the principal men of Bordeaux. And when they were assembled within the hall of the keep, he told them of the failure of his attempt to make terms. Then he added:
“Men of Bordeaux, we have but little meat or drink left within our walls. In each sally good knights and men go to their deaths so in time there will be none of us left to hold sword against the enemy. Louis of France will send us no aid.
“But Salybrant, brother to my lady, rules as Dey in Tunis. He is a Christian man and may aid us for the love he bears the Duchess. Thus our only hope remains that I go forth secretly from this city and seek him out to beg help. Be this your will also?”
And all assembled there, knowing how dark was the future, agreed that he must do this thing. So he set Gerames in his place as leader of the men of Bordeaux. Then having taken leave of his lady and their daughter he slipped away in the night with only a few followers.
VI. HOW IT FARED WITH THOSE WHO HELD BORDEAUX AGASNST THE WRATH OF THE EMPEROR