🧚 How It Fared With the Brethren · page 2

When all the knights were fast asleep, the false Herneger rose from his bed and armed himself.79 Then he cut the cords of the drawbridge, and let it fall, and he slew also the guards that kept watch on the wall.80 When he had done this, the knights who were disposed upon the mountains came up, being led by Guy of Burgundy, and, finding the gates open, entered in and slew all that they could find.81 Truly it had gone ill with the four brethren that night but for the horse of Alard that woke them out of their sleep.82 For some of the guards had been slain, and some who should have watched were drunken, and the brethren had been surprised but for the loud neighing of the horse.83 When Reynaud saw that the enemy was within the castle, he and his brethren took their places in the tower, and, when the tower was set on fire, they took their stand in a certain pit and defended it right valiantly against all the King's men.84 After awhile, the other knights that were in the castle taking heart and coming to help them, they drove out the enemy from the castle, and shut the gates and raised the drawbridge.85 The next day Reynaud said to his brothers, "So far we have done well, and have been delivered beyond all hope.86 Nevertheless here we may not stay, for all our provision of food has been burnt by fire.87 Let us depart, therefore, while we can."88 So they left the castle not without much sorrow.89 Alard and Guichard were in the vanguard with a hundred knights, and Reynaud and Richard brought up the rear with all the rest of their folk.90

That night they passed through the army of the King without hurt or hindrance.91 But for many days to come they had no rest from their enemies, nor of all that pursued them was there one that did them more damage than did Aymon their father.92 At last things came to this pass that there was no one left alive of all their followers.93 Their horses also were in a sore plight, for they had nothing to eat save only such roots as they could find in the ground.94 Nevertheless the horse Bayard was plump and strong, while the others were so lean and weak that they could scarce stand.95 A wonderful beast was he in this as in other things, being as well nourished by roots as other horses are wont to be by hay and corn.96 As for the knights they were ill to see, for their armour was eaten away with rust and their skins dark with hunger and want.97

Then said Reynaud to his brothers, "What shall we do?98 As for myself I had sooner die as becomes a knight than perish here of hunger and cold."99 Alard said, "My counsel is that we go straight to our lady mother in Ardennes.100 For though the King and his lords hate us, and even our father is set against us, yet I am persuaded that our mother will not fail us." "101 You give good counsel," said Reynaud; and to this the other two agreed.102

That night the brethren set out, and travelling without stay came to the city of Ardennes.103 When they were in sight of the walls, Reynaud said to his brethren, "We did ill to take no surety of our father, that he give us not into the King's hands." "104 Fear not," answered Richard. "105 I am assured that our lady mother will keep us safe."106 So they entered the town.107 But no man knew them, so strange were they to look upon, and the townsfolk asked them, "Of what country are you?" "108 You are too curious," answered Reynaud, and they rode to the palace.109

Now the Duke Aymon chanced to be hawking that day by the river, and the Duchess was in her chamber, where she was wont to sit, in much grief because she had no tidings of her children.110 After a while she came from her chamber into the hall, where the men sat, but she knew them not.111 Nay so black were they and foul to look upon that she was in no small fear of them, and was minded for a while to go back to her chamber.112 But soon she took courage, and greeted the men, saying, "Who are you, Christian men or pagans?113 Maybe you are doing some penance.114 Will you have some alms from me or clothing? methinks you need them much.115 Gladly will I do you this service that God also may have mercy upon my own children."116 And when she thought of her sons, and how she knew not whether they were alive or dead, she wept aloud.117

When Reynaud heard her weep, he was himself greatly moved, and wept also.118 And the Duchess looking on him more closely was not a little troubled, so that she had almost fallen to the ground in a swoon.119 But when she came to herself she looked again and lo! there was a scar on his face that he had from a fall when he was a child.120 So she knew him again, and cried, "O my son Reynaud, how comes it that you are so greatly changed, you that were the fairest knight in all the world?"121 Then she looked about her, and knew her other sons also, and took them one by one in her arms, both rejoicing and lamenting.122 So she wept and they wept also.123

And now came a yeoman to say that the dinner was served.124 So the Duchess and her sons went to the table, and sat down and made good cheer.125

As they sat, the Duke came in from his hawking, and said "Who are these men that are so strange to look upon?" "126 These are your children and mine," answered the Duchess. "127 See what they have suffered, living in the woods.128 I beseech you deal kindly with them."129 But the Duke hardened his heart against his sons, because he would be true to King Charles.130 And there was much dispute between them, so that Reynaud had once half drawn his sword from its sheath.131 Only Alard stayed him, "Set not your hand against him, for that is against God's commandment."132 In the end peace was made between father and sons in this fashion.133 Aymon said, "I cannot abide in the house with these men, for that were against my oath to King Charles.134 But you, my wife, have much gold and silver, and horses and harness and armour.135 Give to your sons so much as they will take."136 Having said this, he departed from the house and his knights went with him.137

Then the Duchess called her sons to her.138 First she commanded that they should make baths ready for them.139 And when they had bathed, she gave them rich apparel of all that they needed.140 This done she showed them the Duke Aymon's treasure and bade them take of it as much as they needed.141 Nor did they fail so to do.142 For Reynaud made such provision of men and arms that he gathered together a great company of soldiers.143

The next day, just as they were about to depart, came Mawgis their cousin, telling of how he had taken three horses of the King, laden with gold and silver. "144 And of this treasure," said he to Reynaud his cousin. "145 I am ready to give you the half."146

So they departed together, and the Duke Aymon met them as they went, and gave them his blessing, and "See," said he to the three, "that you obey your brother Reynaud, for he is good at counsel."147 To the Duchess, when she was nigh distracted at the departure of her children, he said, "Be not troubled over much; we shall see them come again in great prosperity and honour."148