“Shall I, Robert Knollys, have to pledge myself on the Cross? Where is Isoult?”
Fulk went out into the garden and brought her into the hall, where Knollys was pacing up and down. He paused in his stride, swung round, and saw Isoult’s bandaged arm.
“She turned a knife aside from me, Knollys.”
“Isoult, a woman can look into a man’s eyes and read his honour. Fulk here looks at me askance, as though I, Robert Knollys, were a false and bloody dog fit to hunt with that dead hound yonder. By the Cross of Christ, I knew nothing of this treachery.”
“Let him speak, for I was his father’s comrade in arms.”
Something gave way in Fulk’s mistrust. The blood rushed to his face; his eyes grew generous. He stood forward, holding out a hand.
“Knollys, God pardon me. I have had a devil in me since I saw the ring on that friar’s hand.”
“And, by heaven, lad, I too have a devil in me. Richard is at Windsor; I would put this ring in the false boy’s nose.”
He went to where Merlin lay, and, taking the ring from the dead hand, slipped it on his own little finger.
“Madame Isoult, trust your man to me. I will leave Cavendish and a guard here. They shall clear out these shambles. And to-morrow you shall see our faces again.”
“Yes, I trust you. But this man of mine has not slept.”
“What is a night without a bed to a forester? Knollys, I am with you. Our horses are in the stable.”
“You shall take Cavendish’s. It will save time, and we can get fresh mounts on the road. I blow like a north wind when my blood is up. Come.”
He took Isoult’s hand, lifted it to his lips, and then turned towards the door.
“Take her in your arms, lad. A brave woman is worth all the good wine in the world.”
It was late in the afternoon when they saw William of Wykeham’s tower rising above the trees like a casket of rose-red marble. The track ran near the river, and a long curve of placid water ended in the great castle set upon its hill. It was lush country, and very green, and pleasant to behold, and in some of the meadows men were making hay.
Fulk had donned his helmet before leaving the Black Mere. He had said but little during the ride, and his heart was still bitter in him. He looked at the great round tower rising against the sky, and muttered to himself, “That the King of such a castle should be a liar and a coward!”