And the knights rode with their men for E
deaux but Earl Amaury's hate grew even hoi
against Huon and his brother and he went av
to plot in secret for their undoing.
15
II. HOW HUON RECEIVED THE KING'S
COMMAND AND AMAURY PLOTTED
HIS RUIN
When those knights who played herald at the or-
der of the King reached the fair and pleasant city
of Bordeaux they rode straight to the Keep of that
city where lived and held court the Duchess Aclis
and her sons. And these same youthful lords had
but that hour returned from the chase so that they
stood yet in the courtyard, each bearing upon his
wrist his gerfalcon, hooded and jessed.
But when the King's men made known their
presence Huon did come forward to greet them in
great eagerness and with his own hand did he hold
the stirrup of the eldest knight for his dismount-
ing, showing him the courtesy which he would
have paid to the King himself. Right pleasantly
too did the Duchess Aclis and Lord Gerard wel-
come them, receiving them with all honors, so that
the knights were much pleased, saying privately
to one another:
"Were our Lord King here these lords of Bor-
deaux could show him no better greeting than
they have given to us."
When they had refreshed themselves from their
journey and could want no comfort, then did Huon
ask of them their business and why Charlemagne
had so sent them to Bordeaux. And the eldest
made reply for them all:
"It is the will of our lord and dread master, King
Charlemagne of France, that the sons of Duke
Sevin come unto him and join his court that they
may be made known unto their brother peers and
confirmed in their lands as is the law."
The Duchess Aclis hastened to make answer,
saying:
