“You seem to know our story,” he said, “and the mission to which we are sworn. What sort of knights do you think us, then, that you offer us counsel which is fitter for those spies from whom you learn your tidings? You talk of our lives. Well, we hold our lives in trust, and when they are asked of us we will yield them up, having done all that we may do.”
“Well spoken,” answered Masouda. “Ill should I have thought of you had you said otherwise. But why would you go to Al-je-bal?”
“Because our uncle at his death bade us so to do without fail, and having no other counsel we will take that of his spirit, let come what may.”
“Well spoken again! Then to Al-je-bal you shall go, and let come what may—to all three of us!”
“To all three of us?” said Wulf. “What, then, is your part in this matter?”
“I do not know, but perhaps more than you think. At least, I must be your guide.”
“Do you mean to betray us?” asked Wulf bluntly.
She drew herself up and looked him in the eyes till he grew red, then said:
“Ask your brother if he thinks that I mean to betray you. No; I mean to save you, if I can, and it comes into my mind that before all is done you will need saving, who speak so roughly to those who would befriend you. Nay, answer not; it is not strange that you should doubt. Pilgrims to the fearful shrine of Al-je-bal, if it pleases you, we will ride at nightfall. Do not trouble about food and such matters. I will make preparation, but we go alone and secretly. Take only your arms and what garments you may need; the rest I will store, and for it give you my receipt. Now I go to make things ready. See, I pray of you, that the horses Flame and Smoke are saddled by sunset.”
At sundown, accordingly, the brethren stood waiting in their room. They were fully armed beneath their rough pilgrims’ robes, even to the bucklers which had been hidden in their baggage. Also the saddle-bags of carpet which Masouda had given them were packed with such things as they must take, the rest having been handed over to her keeping.