Next morning at daybreak, Offero set out across the hills to seek his king. For months he walked, from one proud palace to another, and past the miles of poor men’s houses in between. Many a fine, glittering court he saw, and many a king. But none of them was the one for whom he searched. For no matter how broad their kingdoms might be, they were all afraid of some king beyond, who had more men or more ships than they.
But Offero kept on, undismayed. And after a year and a day he came to the king whom the others feared. When Offero saw the mighty look of this king, his great heart thumped with joy. “At last,” thought he, “I have found the greatest king of all!” For when the courtiers spoke of war, the king did not cringe as the others had, but raised his head more majestically than before.
So Offero went towering down the hall, and bent his huge height before the throne.
“Oh, king,” he cried, “behold your servant, Offero!”
The king’s eyes gleamed. For proud and powerful as he was, with a giant like this his name would be more terrible still.
“Rise, Offero,” he said. “The king accepts your service. In battle you shall march at our army’s head; and in peace you shall stand behind our throne.”
But when Offero marched before the king’s army, wars ceased. For at sight of him the enemy turned and ran away as fast and far as their legs would go. So there was little for him to do but stand behind the king’s throne in the palace hall. And that was rather dull sometimes for a great, strapping giant like Offero.
When Offero marched, wars ceased
“But,” he would remind himself, “I am serving the greatest king of all,—the only one who is unafraid.” And then he would straighten his big, stiff shoulders, and look as proud and fierce as should the servant of such a king.