ot to be somewhat of the hardest, if thou must needs be a
thrall, since thou art both young and well-born, and so good a man of
thine hands. Now, wilt thou be our man at Utterbol?"

Ralph delayed his answer a space and looked at Otter, who seemed to him
to frame a Yea with his lips, as who should say, take it. So he said:
"Lord, thou art good to me, yet mayst thou be better if thou wilt."

"Yea, man!" said the Lord knitting his brows; "What shall it be? say
thy say, and be done with it."

"Lord," said Ralph, "I pray thee to give me my choice, whether I shall
go with thee to Utterbol or forbear going?"

"Why, lo you!" said the Lord testily, and somewhat sourly; "thou hast
the choice. Have I not told thee that thou art free?" Then Ralph knelt
before him, and said: "Lord, I thank thee from a full heart, in that
thou wilt suffer me to depart on mine errand, for it is a great one."
The scowl deepened on the Lord's face, and he turned away from Ralph,
and said presently: "Otter take the Knight away and let him have all
his armour and weapons and a right good horse; and then let him do as
he will, either ride with us, or depart if he will, and whither he
will. And if he must needs ride into the desert, and cast himself away
in the mountains, so be it. But whatever he hath a mind to, let none
hinder him, but further him rather; hearest thou? take him with thee."

Then was Ralph overflowing with thanks, but the Lord heeded him naught,
but looked askance at him and sourly. And he rose up withal, and led
the damsel by the hand into another chamber; and she minced in her gait
and leaned over to the Lord and spake softly in his ear and laughed,
and he laughed in his turn and toyed with her neck and shoulders.

But the great men turned and went their ways from the Tower, and Ralph
went with Otter and was full of glee, and as merry as a bird. But
Otter looked on him, and said gruffly: "Yea now, thou art like a
song-bird but newly let out of his cage. But I can see the string
which is tied to thy leg, though thou feelest it not."

"Why, what now?" quoth Ralph, making as though he were astonished.
"Hearken," said Otter: "there is none nigh us, so I will speak
straight out; for I love thee since the justing when we tried our might
together. If thou deemest that thou art verily free, ride off on the
backward road when we go forward; I warrant me thou shalt presently
meet with an adventure, and be brought in a captive for