He too rose, but Knollys motioned him to remain.
“My lord, your honour is in like case with mine. We need you here with us.”
The Princess glanced at Fulk, who stood some ten paces away in the shadow of the yew hedge.
“Who is that man who comes to us in harness—with his vizor down?”
“Madame, you shall hear. Of your courtesy I would ask you to look at this ring.”
He gave her the ring that he had taken from Merlin’s hand, and she held it in her palm, her eyes growing suddenly troubled.
“It is my son’s ring.”
She looked steadily at Knollys.
“Sir, I charge you—tell me, has anything evil befallen my son?”
“Madame, my news does not run that way. No harm has come to the King through this ring, save the harm that he has done to his own soul and to my honour. I pray you, let my Lord of Salisbury see it.”