“Sire, it must. What is one young life compared with yours?”
“Everything,” cried the King, “if I am to live in peace.”
“But, your Majesty, it is too late to think of that.”
“Never too late while there is life,” cried the King. “Loose the boat and take those oars.”
“What would your Majesty do?” cried Leoni.
“Go back to Henry and meet him face to face. Let him work his will on me if he dares. But he shall not injure a hair of that brave boy’s head. Bah! He would not have dared.”
“You are mistaken, Sire.”
“In what?”
“In King Henry’s intentions. He meant your death.”
“What! In cold blood to slay a brother king?”