human
But he fooled them all, for he stood there looking proudly down upon them, with the sky no bluer than his eyes, and his fair hair curled as a little child's low over his brow and neck. Ah, I tell you an Ave rose to my lips--for I never once doubted him--as I saw him standing there, so brave, so glorious--
gpt
Ah, I wist well how glorious!
human
My brave Richard! And then?
gpt
And then an axe crashed through his skull. But his murderers did not live long enough to gloat over their work.
human
Richard, my brother! That I had died for thee!
gpt
But I waste precious time. I bear an urgent message from Matilda that you should go at once to Ely.
human
To Ely? I? Wherefore?
gpt
Her message I committed to memory, word for word: 'It is too late to do aught at the Bury, but fly to Ely, that the people can be saved from grave danger.'
human
How knows she this?
gpt
Her cousin Rose sent to her from Ely, from the Castle.
human
Rose at the Castle?
gpt
Knew you not she has long been the Baron's favorite?
human
My God! I cannot go there!
gpt
But it must be. Her message to Matilda ran that no one but Robert Annys could save the people.
human
Ah, that I could save them! His head drooped.
gpt
Alas, alas, I have forfeited that right. They would not listen to a monk. They would spurn me.
human
Nay, trust Matilda for that. Until this day I thought--and all thought--Robert Annys was in Kent.
gpt
How can that be? he asked, bewildered.
human
She knew where I was.
gpt
Aye, but she always hoped you would come back to us, and kept your place ready for you. 'Tis only to place yourself again at our head!
human
Well, God grant thee right! he said.
gpt
I pray so.
human
Here is a minstrel's garb and badge, said Shepherd,
gpt
A feast? Wherefore gives he a feast, just at this time?
human
In honor of his bride who--
gpt
His bride? I thought--and what of Rose?
human
Oh, Rose Westel will get lovers a plenty while men walk the earth who have two eyes in their head.
gpt
Peace, peace, enough, fellow!
human
Will you go to Ely Castle?
gpt
Go? You say I can save the people from grave danger. Then all the abbots in Christendom could not hold me!