So must we say that he was such an youngling as most might havebeen in the world, had not man's malice been, and the mischief ofgrudging and the marring of grasping.
But now spake Lord Rolf: "Sir varlet, they tell me that thou art amighty hunter, and of mickle guile in woodcraft; wilt thou then huntsomewhat for me, and bring me home a catch seldom seen?"
"Yea, Lord King," said Christopher, "I will at least do my best, if thoubut tell me where to seek the quarry and when."
"It is well," said the Marshal, "and to-morrow my squire, whom thouseest yonder, and who hight Simon, shall tell thee where the hunt is up, and thou shalt go with him. But hearken! thou shalt not call me king; forto-day there is no king in Oakenrealm, and I am but Marshal, and Earl ofthe king that shall be."
The lad fell a-musing for a minute, and then he said: "Yea, LordMarshal, I shall do thy will: but meseemeth I have heard some tale ofone who was but of late king in Oakenrealm: is it not so, Lord?"
"Stint thy talk, young man," cried the Marshal in a harsh voice, "andabide to-morrow; who knoweth who shall be king, and whether thou or Ishall live to see him."
But as he spake the words they seemed to his heart like a foretelling ofevil, and he turned pale and trembled, and said to Christopher: "Comehither, lad; I will give thee a gift, and then shalt thou depart till to-morrow." So Christopher drew near to him, and the Marshal pulled off aring from his finger and set it on the lad's, and said to him: "Now depart inpeace;" and Christopher bent the knee to him and thanked him for thegracious gift of the ruler of Oakenrealm, and then went his ways out of thehall, and the folk without gave a glad cry as he came amongst them.
But by then he was come to the door, Lord Rolf looked on his hand,and saw that, instead of giving the youngling a finger-ring which he hadbought of a merchant for a price of five bezants, as he had meant to do, hehad given him a ring which the old King had had, whereon was the firstletter of his name (Christopher to wit), and a device of a crowned rose, forthis ring was a signet of his. Wherefore was the Marshal once more soretroubled, and he arose, and was half minded to run down the hall afterChristopher; but he refrained him, and presently smiled to himself, andthen fell a-talking to Lord Richard, sweetly and pleasantly.
SO wore the day to evening; but, ere he went to bed, the Lord Rolf hada privy talk, first with Lord Richard, and after with his squire Simon.What followed of that talk ye may hear after.