The Merriest Knight by Theodore Goodridge Roberts & Mike Ashley

Author:Theodore Goodridge Roberts & Mike Ashley
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Fairy Tales, Legends & Mythology, Folk Tales, Fiction
ISBN: 9781928999188
Publisher: Green Knight Publishing
Published: 2001-05-16T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Dennys Has a Broken Head

Dennys heard a voice he did not like.

"Vagabonds! I warned you. Frauds! Murderers—else how did they come by the armor and horses and gear? He had proved himself no knight—he tumbled at a touch! And this rogue here? He is a proven kidnaper!"

"You lie!" shouted Dennys.

It was conceived as a shout, but it came forth a rasping whisper. He opened his eyes, and saw the sagging jowls and mean mouth and shallow optics of Sir James. He essayed another shout of defiance, and this time achieved a louder and clearer whisper: "You lie!"

The thin lips and pale eyes above him snarled and glinted.

Another voice spoke.

"There's your answer, my bold James. He gives you the

lie."

Dennys shifted his glance without turning his head, for his neck was as stiff as a board, and saw on his other side that hospitable old gentleman whom he knew now to be King Torrice of Har, and older than Merlin. The King smiled at him and Dennys whispered again, though his jaws were as stiff as his neck, and his tongue felt too large for his mouth:

"Where is the child?"

"In safe hands," said the King.

"I took it from torturers," said Dennys.

"It?" sneered Sir James.

"You did well, my lad," said the King.

"And the dog?" asked Dennys.

"The dog too," the King replied gravely. "Both are safe under this roof."

"You have not asked after your precious Sir Lorn le Perdu," sneered the old knight.

"What of him?" cried Dennys, starting up, but falling flat again instantly with a yelp of pain.

"Perdu," Sir James replied; and he chuckled meanly and said it again: "Perdu!"

Again Dennys started from his pillow, but only to subside again.

"He lies again," said King Torrice calmly. "In fact, I am beginning to wonder if he ever speaks the truth.

"Our young friend took a few tumbles yesterday, and may take a few more today, for experienced horsemen and spearmen have ever the advantage of very young cavaliers. Even I—but let it pass! I warrant you that, in a few years time, our Lost Knight will be as firm in his saddle as I was at his present age."

"My wits are confused," mumbled Dennys. "You spoke of yesterday—of my knight taking tumbles then, but by my reckoning we were on the road yesterday and encountered only bagmen and like riffraff. Yesterday? Lord, we met neither with tumbles nor occasions for tumbles yesterday— by my reckoning."

The carping old knight uttered a derisive hoot, but the old King of Har spoke gravely and kindly.

"Your reckoning took a buffet and a tumble, good Dennys; and while you lay here, with a leech from young Arthur Pendragon's train at work on your damaged skull— which the learned man pronounced the thickest he ever saw, glory be to God!—Sir Lorn rode for a few honorable falls in the lists only two longbow-shots away. In truth, it is a full twenty-four hours since the honest smiths brought in you and the child, with the honest dog at their heels. I rewarded them, in your name, and have seen to the comfort and safety of child and dog.

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