“Count Rudolf is at St. Ursula’s, and sends for thee,” Wulf said, laughing at his fears.
Karl turned on the instant, and seized a great sword that lay on the anvil.
“Sayst so? And thou hast seen the count—I mean the emperor? How looked he? What said he? And he remembered old Karl? Ah! his was ever a true heart.” The rough face was alight with loving, excited pride.
“Give me a bite to eat, and we’ll fare back together,” Wulf said; but Karl became anxious again.
“Nay,” he said. “Thou’st escaped the baron’s wolves this time, but by now they swarm the woods. Moreover, thou art tired out. Bide thee in hiding here. They will never dream that thou art simple enough to come aback to the forge after this time. Here is thy best refuge now. Rest, then, and by to-morrow the emperor’s men will have harried them all back to the castle to defend the place.”
To Wulf this word seemed wise, and fain was he to rest, being footsore and weary; so he busied himself with helping Karl make ready. No armorer’s staff did the stout fellow take now, but a strong, shapely bow, from off the smithy wall. He tried it over his knee as he fitted cord to it, smiling grimly the while. Of arrows he took a goodly number, and girt himself with a short two-edged sword. His fierce joy imparted itself to Wulf, who watched him.
At last Karl went to the cupboard beside the forge, and opening it, lifted out the shining knight’s sword.
“This be the blade I have told ye of, lad,” he said—“the very one; for I gave Herr Banf mine own, that had never seen battle, and kept this one for thee.”
He ran his thumb along the keen edge. “Mayhap thou’st no claim on earth to it,” he said, “yet no man hath showed a better, and thou’lt give it play for the emperor, whose service owns it; so take it. But, lad, lad,” he cried, “an ye love God and this poor lost land, remember ’twas a brave and a true man first carried that sword ’gainst foe.”
“Ay, ay, Karl, I will remember,” said Wulf, solemnly, taking the sword in hand. Karl had fitted it with a plain, strong scabbard, and it was ready for stout and worthy deeds. A thrill went through the boy as he girt it to him, and there beside the forge, silently, within his own mind, he vowed that blade to knightly and true service.