Dutifully the two squires hastened to relieve Sir Thomas of his armour, placing wine and food before him as he eased his wearied limbs upon the couch. Though both lads were consumed with anxiety they preserved a strict silence, awaiting the news of the knight's mediation.
"By Our Lady," exclaimed the Constable, "'tis strange that after a hard day in the field I should have to spend a harder time in exercising my sorry tongue on behalf of two wrong-headed young squires. Yet fret not thyself, Geoffrey; nor thee, Oswald. In short, ye are pardoned for your transgression, though at a price."
"Fair lord, I thank thee," Geoffrey exclaimed.
"Nay, wait and hear me out. Certes, when I told the King his brow was as black as a thundercloud, yet, on recalling thy services to him both at Southampton and on the field when he was beset by d'Alençon, he mused awhile.
"'Then the chief culprit was the squire who went into the enemy's camp, and who later helped most valiantly to beat d'Alençon to the earth? And he would spoil himself on account of a French knight? Well, Sir Thomas, we'll let this pass. It was in our mind to bestow upon him the gilded spurs of knighthood, but now 'tis not to be thought of. As for his companion in trouble thou sayest he acted under compulsion? Let that also pass.'
"Then as I was about to withdraw who should appear but Sir John Cornwall. 'Sire, I have a plaint to lay before thee. My squire Almer hath reported that two squires have obstructed certain of my archers in the execution of thy orders.'
"'Thou art too late, Sir John,' replied the King. 'Sir Thomas, here, hath already lodged a case 'gainst them. Yet thanks for thy zeal in our cause.'
"Once more I was about to withdraw when the King called me back. 'Who is this French knight, and what hath he done that thy squire should so stoutly befriend him?'
"'Sire,' I replied, 'he is Sir Raoul d'Aulx, seigneur of the Chateau de Maissons, and he holds this squire's father, Sir Oliver Lysle, in captivity.'
"''Tis indeed strange. We would have thought that 'twould be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But concerning this Castle of Maissons—doth it not lie near this place?'