"
"Your meaning?" said the King briefly, and in few words Hugh told the
tale.
"A strange story, Sir Hugh. It would seem that God fought against you in
this matter. Also I am wroth; my orders were that none of my men should
sally out, though I fear me that you are not the only one who has broken
them, and for your great deeds I forgive you."
"Sire," said Hugh, dropping to his knee again, "a boon. This de Noyon,
your enemy and mine, has cheated and mocked me. Grant to me and my
servant, Richard the archer, permission to follow after him and be
avenged upon him."
"What is this you ask, Sir Hugh? That you and your brave henchman should
wander off into the depths of France, there to perish in a dungeon or
be hanged like felons? Nay, nay, we need good men and have none to spare
for private quarrels. As for this traitor, de Noyon, and his plot, that
egg is broken ere it was hatched, and we fear him no more. You follow
me, Sir Hugh, and your servant with you, whom we make a captain of our
archers. Until Calais is taken, leave not our person for any cause, and
ask no more such boons lest you lose our favour. Nay, we have no more
words for you since many others seek them. Stand back, Sir Hugh! What
say you, my lord of Warwick? Ay, it is a gruesome task, but let the
Welshmen out, those wounded will be well rid of their pain, and Christ
have mercy on their souls.
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