red eve-第4章

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fire　that　ever　drew　more　near。

Eve　held　her　cloak　pressed　against　her　mouth　to　filter　the　smoke；
which　grew　thick。

〃It　is　time　to　move；〃　said　Hugh；　coughing　as　he　spoke。　〃By　Heaven's
grace；　we　are　too　late！　Look！〃

As　he　spoke；　suddenly　in　the　broad　belt　of　reeds　which　lay　between
them　and　the　river　bank　fire　appeared　in　several　places；　caused
doubtless　by　the　flaming　flakes　which　the　strong　wind　had　carried　from
behind　the　mound。　Moreover；　these　new　fires；　burning　up　briskly　and
joining　themselves　together；　began　to　advance　toward　the　three　in　the
hole。

〃The　wind　has　turned；〃　said　Dick。　〃Now　it　is　fire；　or　water　if　you　can
get　there。　How　do　you　choose　to　die？〃　and　as　he　spoke　he　unstrung　his
bow　and　slipped　it　into　its　leathern　case。

〃Neither　one　way　nor　the　other；〃　answered　Eve。　〃Some　may　die　to…night；
but　we　shall　not。〃

Hugh　leapt　up　and　took　command。

〃Cover　your　faces　to　the　eyes；　and　run　for　it；〃　he　said。　〃I'll　go
first；　then　you；　Eve；　and　Dick　behind。　Make　for　the　point　and　leap
the　water　is　deep　there。〃

They　sprang　to　their　feet　and　forward　into　the　reeds。　When　they　were
almost　at　the　edge　of　the　fire　a　shout　told　them　that　they　had　been
seen。　Eve；　the　swift　of　foot；　outpaced　Hugh；　and　was　the　first　to　leap
into　that　circle　of　tall　flames。　She　was　through　it！　They　were　all
through　it；　scorched　but　unharmed。　Thirty　paces　away　was　the　little
point　of　land　where　nothing　grew；　for　the　spring　tides　washed　it；　that
jutted　out　into　the　waters　of　the　Blythe；　and；　perhaps　a　hundred　to
their　right；　the　Claverings　poured　down　on　them；　foot　and　horse
together。

Hugh　caught　his　foot　in　a　willow　root　and　fell。　Eve　and　Grey　Dick　sped
onward　unknowing。　They　reached　the　point　above　the　water；　turned；　and
saw。　Dick　slipped　his　bow　from　its　case；　strung　it；　and　set　an　arrow
on　the　string。　Hugh　had　gained　his　feet；　but　a　man　who　had　come　up
sprang；　and　cast　his　arms　about　him。　Hugh　threw　him　to　the　ground；　for
he　was　very　strong；　and　shook　himself　free。　Then　he　drew　the　short　and
heavy　sword　that　he　wore；　and；　shouting　out；　〃Make　way！〃　to　those　who
stood　between　him　and　the　little　promontory；　started　to　run　again。

These　opened　to　the　right　and　left　to　let　him　pass；　for　they　feared
the　look　in　his　eyes　and　the　steel　in　his　hand。　Only　young　John
Clavering；　who　had　leapt　from　his　horse；　would　not　budge。　As　Hugh
tried　to　push　past　him；　he　struck　him　in　the　face；　calling　out：

〃We　have　caught　the　de　Cressi　thief！　Take　him　and　hang　him！〃

At　the　insult　of　the　blow　and　words；　Hugh　stopped　dead　and　turned
quite　white；　whereupon　the　men；　thinking　that　he　was　afraid；　closed　in
upon　him。　Then　in　the　silence　the　harsh；　croaking　voice　of　Grey　Dick
was　heard　saying：

〃Sir　John　of　Clavering；　bid　your　people　let　my　master　go；　or　I　will
send　an　arrow　through　your　heart！〃　and　he　lifted　the　long　bow　and　drew
it。

Sir　John　muttered　something；　thinking　that　this　was　a　poor　way　to　die；
and　again　the　men　fell　back；　except　one　French　knight；　who；　perhaps；
did　not　catch　or　understand　his　words。

This　man　stretched　out　his　hand　to　seize　Hugh；　but　before　ever　it　fell
upon　his　shoulder　the　bow　twanged　and　Acour's　retainer　was　seen
whirling　round　and　round；　cursing　with　pain。　In　the　palm　of　his　hand
was　an　arrow　that　had　sunk　through　it　to　the　feathers。

〃You　are　right；　that　knave　shoots　well；〃　said　the　Count　to　Sir　John；
who　made　no　answer。

Now　again　all　fell　back；　so　that　Hugh　might　have　run　for　it　if　he
would。　But　his　blood　was　up；　and　he　did　not　stir。

〃John　Clavering；〃　he　said；　addressing　the　young　man；　〃just　now；　when　I
lay　hid　in　yonder　hole；　I　heard　you　say　that　if　you　had　five　minutes
with　me　alone　you'd　beat　me　to　a　pulp　and　hang　what　was　left　of　me　on
the　nearest　tree。　Well；　here　I　stand；　and　there's　a　tree。　Having　first
tried　to　burn　me　and　your　sister；　you　have　struck　me　in　the　face。　Will
you　make　good　your　words；　or　shall　I　strike　/you/　in　the　face　and　go
my　way？　Nay；　keep　your　dogs　off　me！　Grey　Dick　yonder　has　more　arrows。〃

Now　a　tumult　rose；　some　saying　one　thing　and　some　another；　but　all
keeping　an　eye　upon　Grey　Dick　and　his　bent　bow。　At　last　Sir　Edmund
Acour　rode　forward；　and　in　his　polished；　stately　way　said　to　John：

〃Young　sir；　this　merchant　is　in　the　right；　and　whatever　his　trade　may
be；　his　blood　is　as　good　as　your　own。　After　your　brave　words；　either
you　should　fight　him　or　take　back　the　blow　you　gave。〃

Then　he　leaned　down　and　whispered　into　John's　ear：

〃Your　sword　is　longer　than　his。　Make　an　end　of　him　and　of　all　his
trouble；　lest　men　should　laugh　at　you　as　an　empty　boaster。〃

Now　John；　who　was　brave　and　needed　but　little　urging；　turned　to　his
father　and　said：

〃Have　I　your　leave　to　whip　this　fellow；　sir？〃

〃You　should　have　asked　that　before　you　struck　him　in　the　face；〃
replied　the　knight。　〃You　are　a　man　grown。　Do　as　best　pleases　you。　Only
if　you　take　the　blow；　begone　from　Blythburgh。〃

Then　Eve；　who　all　this　time　had　been　listening；　called　out　from　where
she　stood　above　the　river。

〃Brother　John；　if　you　fight　your　cousin　Hugh；　who　is　my　affianced
husband；　and　fall；　on　your　own　head　be　it；　for　know；　your　blood　shall
not　stand　between　him　and　me；　since　it　was　you　who　struck　him；　and　not
he　you。　Be　warned；　John；　and　let　him　go；　lest　he　should　send　you
farther　than　you　wish　to　travel。　And　to　you；　Hugh；　I　say；　though　it　is
much　to　ask；　if　he　throws　down　his　sword；　forget　that　unknightly　blow
and　come　thither。〃

〃You　hear；〃　said　Hugh　shortly　to　John。　〃Now；　because　she　is　your
sister；　if　it's　your　will　I'll　begone　in　peace。〃

〃Ay；〃　answered　John；　setting　his　thin　lips；　〃because　you　are　a　coward；
woman…thief；　and　seek　to　live　that　you　may　bring　shame　upon　our　House。
Well；　that　will　pass　when　you　die　presently！〃

〃John；　John；　boast　not；〃　cried　Eve。　〃Who　has　shown　you　where　you　will
sleep　to…night？〃

〃Whether　I　shall　live　or　die；　God　knows　alone；〃　said　Hugh　solemnly。
〃But　what　I　seek　to　know　is；　should　it　chance　to　be　your　lot　to　die；
whether　your　people　or　this　Frenchman　will　set　on　me；　or　raise　a
blood…feud　against　me。　Tell　me　now；　Sir　John　Clavering。〃

〃If　you　kill　my　son　in　combat　/？outrance/；　he　being　the　challenger；〃
answered　the　knight；　〃none　shall　lift　hand　against　you　for　that　deed
if　I　can　hold　them　back。　But　know　that　I　have　other　cause　of　quarrel
against　you〃and　he　pointed　to　his　daughter〃and　that　if　you　meddle
more　with　her；　who　is　not　for　you；　certainly　you　shall　die。〃

〃And；　young　sir；〃　broke　in　Sir　Edmund；　〃I　pray　you　to　understand　that
this　Lady　Eve　to…morrow　becomes　my　wife　with　the　will　of　her　father
and　her　kin；　and　that　if　you　try　to　stand　between　us；　although　I　may
not　fight　you；　seeing　what　I　am　and　what　you　are；　I'll　kill　you　like　a
rat　when　and　where　I　get　the　chance！　Yes；〃　he　added；　in　a　savage
snarl；　〃I　pledge　my　knightly　honour　that　I　will　kill　you　like　a　rat；
if　I　must　follow　you　across　the　world　to　do　so！〃

〃You　will　not　have　need　to　travel　far　if　I　have　my　will；〃　answered　the
young　man　sternly；　〃since　Red　Eve　is　mine；　not　yours；　and；　living　or
dead；　mine　she　will　remain。　As　for　your　fine　knightly　honour；　Sir
Edmund　Acour；　Count　de　Noyon；　Seigneur　of　Cattrina；　what　has　a　traitor
to　his　King　to　do　with　honour；　one　who　is　here　as　a　spy　of　Philip　of
France；　as　the　poor　merchant's　lad　knows　well？　Oh；　take　you　hand　from
your　sword；　of　which　you　say　I　am　not　worthy；　and；　since　you　say　also
that　I　have　so　many　enemies；　let　me　begin　with　a　squire　of　my　own
degree。〃

Now　at　these　bold　words　arose　a　clamour　of　voices　speaking　in　French
and　English。

〃What　say　you　to　this；　Sir　Edmund？〃　shouted　Sir　John　Clavering　above
them　all。　〃You　are　a　great　lord　and　a　wealthy；　beloved　by　me　also　as
the　affianced　of　my　daughter；　but　I　am　a　loyal　Englishman　who　have　no
truck　with　traitors　to　my　King。〃

〃What　say　I？〃　asked　Sir　Edmund　calmly。　〃I　say　that　if　this　fellow　can
fight　as　well　as　he　can　lie；　your　son　has　but　a　poor　chance　with　him。
As　you　know　well；　I　came　hither　from　France　to　visit　my　estates；　not
to　learn　what　strength　his　Grace　of　England；　my　liege　lord；　gathers
for　the　new　war　with　Philip。〃

〃Enough；〃　said　Sir　John；　〃though　this　is　the　first　I　have　heard　of
such　a　war；　for　it　would　seem　that　you　know　more　of　King　Edward's　mind
than　I　do。　The　light　begins　to　fail；　there　is　no　time　for　talk。　Stand
clear；　all　men；　and　let　these　two　settle　it。〃

〃Ay；〃　croaked　Grey　Dick；　〃stand　clear；　all　men；　while　my　master　cuts
the　throat　of　his　cousin　Clavering；　since　he　who　stands　not　clear
shall　presently　lie　straight！〃　and　he　tapped　his　terrible　bow　with　his
right　hand；　then　instantly　seized　the　string　again。

The　two　were　face　to　face。　Round　them　on　horse　and　on　foot；　at　a
distance　perhaps　of　twenty　paces；　were　gathered　the　Clavering　men　and
the　French　Count's　troop；　for　now　all　had　come　up　from　the　far　parts
of　the　marsh。　Only　toward　the　river　side　the　ring　was　open；　whether
because　those　who　made　it　feared　Grey　Dick's　arrows；　or　in　order　that
he　and　Red　Eve　might　see　everything　that　chanced。

The　pair　were　well　matched；　for　though　Hugh　was　the　taller；　John；　his
senior　by　a　year；　was　thicker　set　and　better　trained　in　arms。　But　the
sword　of　John　was　longer　by　a　hand's　breadth　than　that　Hugh　carried　as
a　merchant；　which　was　heavy；　of　such　a　make　as　the　ancient　Romans
used；　and　sharpened　on　either　edge。　Neither　of　them　wore　armour；　since
Hugh　had　no　right　to　do　so；　and　John　had　not　come　out　to　fight。

They　stood　still　for　a　moment　in　the　midst　of　a　breathless　silence；
the　red　light　of　the　stormy　sunset　striking　across　them　both。
Everything　was　red；　the　smoke…clouds　rising　from　the　sullen；　burning
marsh；　into　which　the　fire　was　still　eating　far　away；　the　waters　of
the　Blythe　brimful　with　the　tide　that　had　just　turned　toward　the　sea；
the　snow　and　ice　itself。　Even　the　triangle　of　wild　swans　brought　by
the　hard　weather　from　the　northern　lands　looked　red　as　they　pursued
their　heavy　and　majestic　flight　toward　the　south；　heedless　of　man　and
his　affairs　beneath。

Not　long　did　these　remain　heedless；　however；　since；　either　to　show　his
skill　or　for　some　other　purpose　of　his　own；　Grey　Dick　lifted　his　bow
and　loosed　an　arrow；　almost；　it　seemed；　at　hazard。　Yet　that　arrow
pierced　the　leader　of　the　flock；　so　that　down　it　came　in　wide　circles；
and　in　a　last　struggle　hovered　for　a　moment　over　the　group　of　men；
then　fell　among　them　with　a　thud；　the　blood　from　its　pierced　breast
bespattering　Sir　Edmund　Acour　and　John　Clavering's　black　hair。

〃An　ill　omen　for　those　two；　and　especially　for　him　who　wears　a　white
swan　for　a　crest；〃　said　a　voice。　But　at　the　moment　none　took　much
notice；　except　Grey　Dick；　who　chuckled　at　the　success　of　his　shot；
since　all　were　intent　on　greater　mattersnamely；　which　of　those　two
young　men　should　die。

Sir　John；　the　father；　rode　forward　and　addressed　them。

〃To　the　death　without　mercy　to　the　fallen；〃　he　said　grimly。

They　bent　their　heads　in　answer。

〃Now！〃　he　cried；　and　reined　back　his　horse。

〃The　first　home　thrust　wins；〃　whispered　Acour　to　him；　as　he　wiped　the
blood　of　the　swan　off　his　sleeve。　〃Thank　God；　your　son's　sword　is　the
longer！〃

Perhaps　the　pair　heard　this　whisper；　or；　perhaps；　being　without　mail；
they　knew　that