All the lords and peers agreed with the King’s words—save Amaury, who, seeing such a sorry end to his hopes of ruin for Sevin’s sons, knew that he must plot anew. And in his dark mind an evil plan began to grow.
He hurried from the council hall of the King into the apartments- of Prince Chariot where he found the King’s son dallying at ease with some young knights and squires of his following. And there Amaury did fling himself on his knees before the Prince, to clutch at Chariot’s cloak and cry aloud for justice.
The Prince, much amazed at Amaury’s outcry, did send the others from him and demand that the Earl tell him the cause of such distracted actions. Then did Amaury display the blackness of his heart in the words of his crooked mouth.
“Know you, Prince Chariot, your father, deceived by false enemies, is bringing hither to court that traitor Huon of Bordeaux and his brother Gerard. And our King promises to bestow upon Huon the duchies of Bordeaux and Aquitaine which should be rightfully yours. While Gerard the King promises to take into his household where he may secretly work all manner of ill. Once here at court they will work against your Grace, for this Huon and his brother come of bad stock and me they hate so that they will even seek to injure you—since you have played my friend— bringing ruin upon the man through his master. So do I warn you now, Prince Chariot, if these twain enter into this court black evil will come with them and none—even the highest—shall be safe from their wickedness.”
Now was Chariot alarmed at the words of Amaury for in his heart he knew well that he was not well beloved in France and that many of the lords hated him for his ill deeds of the past. So, should Huon and Gerard come to work against him secretly, they would find many to listen to them. Thus, with all his fears and hate aroused, Chariot prayed Amaury to tell him what to do to defend himself against these brothers from Bordeaux.
And Amaury advised Chariot to arm and horse divers of his men and meet secretly with him, Amaury, without the city that they might arrange to deal with Huon and Gerard before they reached the King’s court. Eagerly enough Chariot agreed.
III. HOW AMAURY AND CHARLOT DID LIE IN AMBUSH AND WHAT CHANCED THEREFROM
“The feast of Easter being over Huon and Gerard did prepare to keep their promise to the King. Choosing from among their men divers knights and squires, they did clothe them anew from helm to spur with cunningly made armor that they might make a goodly sight at court. But Huon and Gerard donned no mail, nor did the younger brother even buckle sword belt about him. For they were minded to journey in peace and safety under the protection of the King.
Huon, however, did put on him that sword belt wrought of fine silver and gold which Duke Sevin had worn in war and peace, and from it did hang that good blade, forged far across the seas in the unknown Easter lands by Demons of the Night (or so said the simple folk of the country) which Sevin had swung in battle ofttimes before—to King Charlemagne’s great gain. But of body armor Huon had none, only went at ease in tunic and cloak.
Duchess Aclis wept full sore to see her sons depart thus from Bordeaux. For never since their hour of birth had the twain not been where her eye might sight upon them and now her heart misgave her strangely, for she had secretly dwelt upon all those evils which might chance while Huon and Gerard were apart from her. But of this she said naught lest she shadow the brightness of their adventure and she hid her many tears behind her veil.
Gerard did not ride so boldly forth from the gate, nor did he spur his horse into the freshness of the morning beyond the city. Rather did he amble soberly at the pace of one who goes unwillingly upon a disliked errand so that Huon must needs rein back to company him. And when his brother laughingly chid him for his snail-like creeping, Gerard surprised Huon beyond measure with a breathless answer:
“Brother, I fear me that no good will come to either of us from this venture. Let us back to Bordeaux and that speedily!”
Loud indeed then did Huon laugh, and cry that his brother was a babe and already crying for his mother’s arms. But Gerard showed no anger at this taunt. Rather he turned once more and gazed with great longing at the towers and walls of Bordeaux.
“Evil lies before us,” he continued. “Aye, great evil comes of this journey. Last night I did dream that I rode on this same highway and out of the bushes there did spring upon us a raging leopard his jaws agape with hunger. Me he did bear to earth and rend with dripping fangs so that my soul was driven from my body and I was dead. But you, my brother, escaped his fury. So plain was my dream that I do deem it a warning sent from Heaven that we should not travel on this way—” r But Huon shook his head. “More likely it be an omen sent by the Devil to tempt us from our duty to the King, so that we will break our pledged word. See—this day is fair and the countryside most good to look upon. Our road is smooth before us and behind ride twenty good knights and squires to serve us well. Put aside your foolish fears, Gerard, they are but shadows and no fit musing for a grown knight.”
So Gerard spoke no more. But in his heart he knew anger against his brother, that Huon would so easily dismiss his warning. And he thought that long had it been thus, that Huon, bold and fearless and taking little heed for the future, had set aside the cautions of his younger brother. Yet Huon was loved and praised by all and he, Gerard, was deemed a youngling, not to be given serious heed.
Before nightfall they met with the worthy Abbot of Cluny who was also on his way to court. And both the brothers were most glad to see him, for he was their well-beloved uncle. So did they join their party to his and that night all lay together in friendship at an abbey he chose to visit.
Again in the morning, after breaking their fast, they rode on together and all went very well with them until they reached the top of a hill and could see where the road wound down into the leafy lip of a wood. Huon pulled back his mount and those with him, wondering at his act, did likewise.
Then he pointed out to the company certain flashes of light among the trees below—as if men clad in mail moved there. And so the party hesitated, not knowing what lay before them, hidden in that wood.
Since they were not men of war, the Abbot and his monks and laymen withdrew to the side of the road, and the churchman spoke frankly to Huon, saying:
“Fair sir, I and all my followers are men of peace and good will. If evil men lie in ambush before us, surely they must mean ill to you who ride with armor on your backs and swords at your sides. Therefore, since of war I can have no part, we needs must separate here and go our several ways. For if I shed blood, even in the defending of my own, I have committed black sin. But you are a man of strife and bred to conflict.”
And, as the Abbot was speaking so, out of the trees below a Knight, masked by the lowered visor of his helmet, spurred his horse to that he now barred the path of all who would come down the hill. There he sat silently waiting.
After looking upon this barrier of knight and horse most closely, Huon said to his brother:
“There is no reason for either of us to fear aught of any man living, for we have no quarrels hanging above our heads. You wear no armor, nor do you bear a sword, so all can see that you ride in peace with the world. Get you down now, into the valley and ask of that knight what he would have of us.”
And Gerard obeyed his brother. Coming down into the valley of the wood he reined in his mount before the silent knight and addressed him boldly.
“Good sir, what do you wish of us who would quarrel with no man this day? Know you, I am Gerard of Bordeaux and yonder is my brother Huon, Duke of that same city. We are bound, by the King’s own command, to the court of Charlemagne. Therefore stay us not, lest the justice of the King demand an accounting from you—”