“Who be ye and what your mission? Peace or war?”
“It is Norman of Torn, come in peace, and in the service of a De Montfort,” replied Shandy. “He would enter with one companion, my Lord Earl.”
“Dares Norman of Torn enter the castle of Simon de Montfort—thinks he that I keep a robbers’ roost!” cried the fierce old warrior.
“Norman of Torn dares ride where he will in all England,” boasted the red giant. “Will you see him in peace, My Lord?”
“Let him enter,” said De Montfort, “but no knavery, now, we are a thousand men here, well armed and ready fighters.”
Shandy returned to his master with the reply, and together, Norman of Torn and Bertrade de Montfort clattered across the drawbridge beneath the portcullis of the castle of the Earl of Leicester, brother-in-law of Henry III of England.
The girl was still wrapped in the great cloak of her protector, for it had been raining, so that she rode beneath the eyes of her father’s men without being recognized. In the courtyard, they were met by Simon de Montfort, and his sons Henry and Simon.
The girl threw herself impetuously from her mount, and, flinging aside the outlaw’s cloak, rushed toward her astounded parent.
“What means this,” cried De Montfort, “has the rascal offered you harm or indignity?”
“You craven liar,” cried Henry de Montfort, “but yesterday you swore upon your honor that you did not hold my sister, and I, like a fool, believed.” And with his words, the young man flung himself upon Norman of Torn with drawn sword.