“Oh! So you were the thief who stole my parcels and left a smooth-tongued wench behind you to conduct me across the sand!”
“A wench!” roared Ru. “A wench——” and he lifted his axe.
“Well, Friend, what else was she? Not a man, that I’ll swear, and between man and woman there is no halfway house. Tell me, I pray you, for I am curious. Sit down and take a cup of wine, for this place is cramping to one of your stature. These monks of yours seem to have very good wine. I never tasted better in my—in the King’s Court. Try it.”
Ru took the cup which he proffered to him and drained it.
“I thank you,” he said. “The worst of dwelling with hermits is that they are so fond of water, though they have plenty of good stuff stored away in some grave or other. Now let us be going. I tell you I am commanded——”
“So you said before, Friend Giant. By whom are you commanded?”
“By her——” began Ru, and stopped.
“Her, who or what? Do you mean the lady who guided and blindfolded me? Stay. Take one more cup of this excellent wine.”
Ru did so, answering as he set it down:
“You are not far from it, but my tongue is tied. Come, Prince.”