“No crime save to defend myself against death,” declared Huon boldly. And he took heart, for about them now the tempest was stayed, no waters came nigh and the wind had died away. So did he make known to Oberon all that had befallen him since that long-ago day when he had left the gates of Bordeaux to attend the court of France.
“Ill indeed has been your fortune,” observed the Fairy King. “No mortal can do what the King has demanded of you and come alive through the doing of it. But what a mortal cannot do, those of my realm can. Therefore, since you have been the first man in full five hundred years to speak me boldly, I shall give to you certain aids—which, if you use them wisely, may win you what you desire.
“First—see you this horn? At my birth certain spells were set upon it by the wise women from beyond the end of the world. Gloriande did enchant it so that a soft note from it does blast all illness known to man or fairy. Two notes bring end to all hunger and thirst—by the decree of the Lady Translyne. Blow yet louder upon it, said the Lady Margole, and the heavy heart shall be lightened and all sorrow fade from the mind. While a strong blast has the power to summon aid to your side in time of trouble, by the will of the Wise Lempatrix. This horn will I give unto you, asking only that you use it with full wisdom, not idly as might a child in play. For when you sound the note set by Lempatrix I, myself, and all my company must obey its summons to fight beside you.”
Oberon then took from about his neck the chain which held this wondrous horn and dropped it about Huon’s shoulders so that it lay upon the young knight’s breast, and he stood dumbstruck at such a gift. The Fairy King waited not for any thanks but drew from the folds of his tunic a cup of pearl and silver which, in that dark forest, shone with a rosy light of its own.
“This too is a treasure, equal in worth to the horn of many voices, for he who carries it need never thirst, also will he be warned as to what manner of company he keeps. If an honest man raises this cup to his lips he shall find it full of the finest wine. But should one of a dark and evil heart seek to drink, the cup shall be as the desert sand, empty and sere. Take -thou this, also, that it may serve you in its own way.”
The cup was put into Huon’s two hands and he stood staring into it. After a long moment he dared to raise it to his lips and it was as Oberon had promised, brimming rich and rare with wine.
Deep did the young knight drink and yet when he held the cup from him it was still brim deep. So did Huon then pass it to Garyn and so about the company and for all of them it remained full. And from their drinking all were greatly heartened and knew no more thirst.
Many were the thanks which Huon did give to Oberon for the gift of these so great treasures but the only reply the Fairy King would make was this:
“Follow thy quest to the end, Huon of Bordeaux, and I shall be rewarded by thy courage, for about you there is much which touches my heart—why, I know not. Save that wise women have foretold that I shall come to have a sword-brother and cupmate of mortal birth and mayhap thou are that man. Go now without fear, for naught within the bounds of this forest will harm you and your road is plain to follow.”
Before Huon could make answer Oberon and his knights were gone, disappearing into the dark of the forest where they were swallowed up as if they had never been. Huon and his companions then got to horse and rode on along the path which Oberon had pointed out to them. And at length they came out of the Fairy wood into a land of meadows and streams.
When they were free of the forest Huon’s men began to talk among themselves of the gifts their lord now carried. And some of them said that mayhap it was only a spell laid upon them in the Fairy wood which made such marvels seem to be. But out in these fields Oberon’s power was naught and neither horn nor cup would obey their master. So did they talk and talk until Huon grew angered and wearied at their unbelief And, thinking to! put a stop to their clacking tongues, he raised the horn and blew a deep blast.
Above them the sky clouded darkly and from | the ground before them there shot up to these gloomy heavens a pillar of green flames from the heart of which burst forth Oberon and his Elf knights, shields before them and naked, burning swords in their hands.
“Where stands your enemy?” shouted Oberon and all the field rang with his cry.
Then was Huon ashamed of what he had done and fearful in his heart of what the Fairy King would say concerning his foolishness. But he dismounted from his charger and came humbly to stand before Oberon to confess his fault.
Oberon’s face flushed with anger and his green eyes were as coals of wrath within his head. But when Huon had confessed with manly readiness the full sum of his foolishness the Fairy King shook his head sadly and replied:
“Alas, Huon, many and grave are the dangers before you and deep will be your sorrow before you finish with this task. So put aside these childish follies lest you fare so ill that even I cannot bring you free. Use not the horn again unless you stand in such peril as you can see of it no easement but death. Or else I shall take back my gift and leave you to perish after your own foolish fashion!”
Huon did then swear by the Cross that never again would he use the gifts lightly, but rather would he guard them with his life. And Oberon and his knights retired into the pillar of flame and so were gone.
But Huon and those who followed him rode on through the countryside until against the sky the walls and towers of a city were to be seen. There they determined to spend the night.
X. WHICH TELLETH OF THE CITY OF TORMONT AND WHAT CHANCED THEREIN
When the knights of France came nigh unto the gates of the strange city a voice called out to them, saying:
“By the crosses which ye bear so boldly limned upon thy shields ye be Christian men. Fly hence, and that speedily, if ye would keep life within thy bodies—for this be the City of Tormont and our lord is one Macaire who hath a great and burning hate for all Christians and hath sworn that all who fall into his hands shall be short of a head!”
But Huon called in answer:
“Night is full upon us and we seek shelter. Nor do we have any fear of your dread lord. Unbar the gate that we may enter into Tormont.”
So did it pass that they came into the city and on the other side of the gates they found awaiting them he who had warned them—Gonder, Steward of Tormont, an honest man. And when he saw that they could not be persuaded to flee beyond the wrath of Macaire he urged them to go with him to his own dwelling where they might yet be safe.
Now Tormont was a city of fine houses and tall towers, but within her streets was a great multitude of beggars and sore was their state so that Huon and his companions felt much pity for them. And Huon asked of Gonder why so many suffered thus. The Steward replied that it was by the will of Lord Macaire who was deep in all manner of wickedness.
When they came into Gender’s house Huon took from his belt a purse of gold and gave it into Steward’s hands, saying:
“Taking this and go into the market place, there buying all meat and bread, such as is necessary for a feast. Then have hither all these men and women who beg in the streets and give them to eat, so that tonight no one within Tormont will go hungry to bed.”
Gonder did as Huon bade him. And from all the ways of Tormont came the beggars to eat of the food set out for them. Huon then did bring out the magic cup and passed it among all that company. To everyone who ate there it was full of its bounty and to none did it stand empty. So merry indeed was the feasting.