V. OF THE EVIL AMAURY WROUGHT WITH HIS LYING TONGUE
Now at sunset of that same day there came riding into the King’s city the Earl Amaury leading Chariot’s charger with his master’s body bound upon its back. And as he rode within the gates Amaury raised a great wailing cry of grief, as did all those who rode with him. So hearing this sad lament the townspeople gathered and they too wept at such a woeful sight. Straight into the presence of Charlemagne did Amaury ride, finding the King at wine with Huon and the other peers.
Before the King, Amaury did unloose the body of the Prince so that it slipped to the floor with a crash of armor and lay at the father’s feet. Then the traitor Earl cried aloud so that all there did hark unto him, saying:
“Look you upon the body of Prince Chariot who has been most foully done to death. Slain, my King and lords, by this villain who dares to sit now in the high seat of honor—namely, Huon of Bordeaux!”
Huon, looking closely at the body, knew it for that of the knight who had wounded Gerard and later fallen by his own sword. And he marveled at Amaury’s words for he had not knowingly struck down Chariot. So that now he made answer quietly enough:
“Lord King, this corpse lying here is that of the stranger knight who did wound my brother and whom I did kill in fit punishment for so black a deed—my brother being unarmed—”
But while he yet spoke Amaury dropped to his knees and freed the head of the dead man from its helmet so that all there assembled might see the still face. And from the throat of the old King there broke a pitiful cry. Deeply had he loved Chariot and here now lay his son, slain in the full pride of his youth.
“My son!” That cry rang through the halls and pierced the hearts of all who heard it, for the depth of the King’s sorrow was bared in his words.
“Aye, your son, Lord King. And there stands the false Huon whom you cherish and yet who hath killed Chariot. We were hunting in the forest as the Prince was wont to do and, having loosed his falcon against fair prey, he was vexed when the bird returned not—so he needs must pursue it. Whilst we rode so, unheeding of our path, we came upon a road where this suckling rogue was passing, the Prince’s own falcon upon his wrist. When Prince Chariot demanded that his own be returned to him this same Huon and his brother set upon the Prince, cutting him down without When he heard such lies the rage arose within Huon so that at first it choked speech from him. But he cast his glove so that it struck the Earl full across his false lips.
“Thou liest!” cried the young lord of Bordeaux when he could again command his voice.
But King Charlemagne had made a secret sign to his guards to take the Duke, and that they now did, bearing him down with their strength and binding fast his arms in spite of his struggles.
“Strike off the head of this murderer!” roared the King.
But, as his guards would have obeyed. Duke Naymes held him off, saying:
“By all the laws of chivalry and knighthood, we cannot so use this youth. He hath named Amaury ‘Liar’ and hath challenged him to prove the truth of his tale with his body—Our Lord God standing as the Judge of both. Such is his right and no earthly King may take it from him!”
Charlemagne was dour with wrath but he saw that all the peers and lords of the court were of Naymes’ mind and, Ahat if he wrought his will upon Huon, trouble would come of it. So he was forced to agree. But he did so grudgingly and with black hatred in his heart.
“Let them fight according to the uses of chivalry,” he said slowly. “And may God bring justice to this murderer. But likewise may it be recorded now that if either be slain before he confesses fault in the matter, then the other is straightway banished from this realm never to return!”
A strong outcry arose from all because of this injustice—for all knew that either might be killed in the heat of battle in such a way that he would have no time for confession. Naymes spoke strongly to the King, but to no avail, and Charlemagne’s will in this was so set that no man might sway him.
Huon then went forth with Naymes who was pledged to keep him safe against the morrow when he would meet Amaury in the field. And the Earl withdrew likewise leaving court and King to mourn the fallen Prince.
VI. HOW HUON DEALT WITH AMAURY IN COMBAT AND THE DOOM LAID UPON HIM THEREAFTER
Early in the morning his squires came in to Huon where he lay in the hold of Duke Naymes and roused him from his sleep. On his body they did put fair clean linen and over that a hauberk of leather. Then did the Duke bring to the youth fine mail wrought by craftsmen working to his own secret pattern. This Huon discovered to be light yet supple so that he who wore it was as one free from armor. So armed he rode for the field yet fasting, a war stallion of the color of fresh spilled blood between his knees. Duke Naymes on his right hand and the squire of his body going before with his plumed helmet and shield.
Since Huon rode thus uncovered all those about the field marveled at his youth and the comeliness of his features, saying amongst themselves that not even a king’s son in his pride could equal this Duke out of Bordeaux. Such whisperings reached even to the ears of Charlemagne where he sat in state and they fanned the hotter his wrath against the slayer of his son.
Amaury came to the place of combat with an easy mind, for he deemed Huon but a green boy with no knowledge of lance or sword play, no fit match for a warrior of many years’ seasoning. But, as he rode into the view of the court, his black charger stumbled so that the Earl, who was riding ‘ easy, was near to being unhorsed. And those watching felt this to be a dark omen.
But Amaury straightened in his saddle and put on his helmet with a steady hand, having confidence in himself and his strength.
Huon too put on his helmet, slung his shield upon his arm and took up the lance his squire held ready. His bright roan pawed the turf and thundered a challenge of its own to the black which Amaury curbed with a heavy hand.
Then, at the word given by the King himself, they charged. Amaury aimed his lance at Huon’s helmet. He knew such a stroke to be a master one which only a skillful man might dare to attempt— yet so sure was he of the coming battle that he might have been a boy teasing a harmless kitten.
But Huon chose the safer attack, guessing at what might lie in Amaury’s mind. So that when they met in their course he swung aside his head and the Earl’s lance thrust only into the thinness of air. But Huon’s lance struck straight and true into the center of the other’s shield with such force that not only Amaury but also his attacker were hurled from their saddles.
On foot both cast aside their useless lances and drew their swords. And the Earl was so angered by his overthrow that he came against Huon without caution, having even thrown from him his shield that he might strike a two-handed blow.
Huon still clung to his shield and with it he caught the blow which Amaury aimed to cut him down. Deep into the iron stove the blade in such a way that the Earl could not speedily withdraw it again. Then did Huon strike in his turn, so clean a blow where neck met shoulder that the strong mail Amaury was wearing was but as a piece of silk. And Amaury’s head, still within his plumed helm, rolled across the dusty ground, even to the very foot of the King’s chair.
Those gathered about the lists raised a cry of amazement, for no one of them had really believed in his heart that Huon could overcome Amaury. And the King’s crafty heart leaped also—for if Huon were not dead in truth, he would speedily be dead to France—since Amaury had been killed before confessing falseness. And so did the heralds proclaim the King’s will at his signal.
When the harsh decree of banishment was read, all the lords about the throne raised their voices in protest and Duke Naymes led their Outcry, saying: