CHAPTER XIII.

Charlemagne sought to establish his right for having taken Renaud in his power. The emperor called an assemblage of the highest peers of his court. Said he to them:

“My lords, you are well aware of the causes of the hatred I bear toward Renaud; you know the last outrage he has committed was to tear the golden eagle from the top of my tent; he hath even attacked our royal person, and had it not been for the aid of Olivier and divine Providence, which always protects the cause of the just, I should at least have been wounded. It was his intention to kill me none the less. He is therefore culpable. Even if I did not occupy the elevated rank which places me at your head, I would not pardon him. Settling the matter between us by personal combat is out of the question. I am an emperor, and I must see that justice is rendered, and I must set the example. I will not accuse him of having attempted my life. I will not seek to punish him for his crime of lese-majesty, but he shall suffer the direst punishment like a traitor to his oath for having supported the four sons of Aymon, and above all, for having taken up arms against me.”

“I now order that he be immediately given to the flames.”

Then arose Leon de Hautfeuille, a wise courtier.

“Sire,” said he, “there can be no exception taken to thy just resentment, but if thou dost carry thy sentence out immediately, will it not encourage Maugis and his brothers in the belief that thou fearest a rescue from them so much thou decidest to be rid of Renaud at once?”

If there was one point upon which Charlemagne was sensitive it was self-pride; a mere suggestion of this kind would arouse him, and it was through this weakness in his noble character that Ganelon and others accomplished their designs; although Leon was honest, the suggestion was sufficient to cause the emperor to postpone the execution until the morrow, and he further ordered that this time, that there might be no possibility of a rescue, that Renaud be placed under a strong guard composed of twelve peers, Charlemagne telling them that he would hold them responsible for his person.

Renaud gave his word, to the twelve peers who guarded him, laughingly, that he would not stir during the night without their permission, and did he do so he would not go without first seeing the emperor. His words were prophetic.

Meanwhile, the news of the terrible position of Renaud reached Montaubon. It caused the utmost concern to all, for Renaud was dearly beloved. The enemy being now thoroughly prepared for surprise, a rescue by means of a sortie was out of the question. Now for the first time in all their trials was an appeal made to Maugis to exercise his occult powers. There was no hope for Renaud otherwise. To these pleadings Maugis replied:

“My brothers, it is useless; I cannot, though it is possible I might release Renaud by my secret powers. Thou shouldst remember that I have made a solemn oath before God and man to utterly abandon and forever give them up; not only have I made this sacred oath before man, but I did solemnly pledge my knightly word and honor to my wife, Yolande, that I would forget, disuse, and put by those early teachings of the secret art forever and forever. To break my oath to God would be a sacrilege condemning me to eternal punishment, and to break my oath to Yolande would so dishonor me that I could never face my kind again.”

“What if Yolande would absolve thee of thine oath?” asked Alard.

“Then should I be left to face my oath to God.”

“Then Renaud must perish,” cried Richard.

“Even so,” responded Maugis sadly.

Realizing that further pleadings were in vain, the brothers sought the tender Yolande, and told her of the terrible position of their cousin. Much as she feared occult things, as did every one at that period, the fate of Renaud appealed strongly to her sympathies; to feel that any means of rescue should be used to preserve him from a horrible death at the stake caused her to throw aside her scruples and fears; and flying to the side of Maugis, she added her pleadings to those of the others, and so, overcome by them all, he finally yielded his consent, sadly depressed, though confident he could save his cousin.

It was midnight in the camp of Charlemagne; the tent where Renaud slept calmly was silent; two knights remained on watch at the door; the rest were reposing in sleep on their arms, ready to spring up from the slightest alarm. A shadowy figure now appeared on the scene, gliding noiselessly toward the door; though they looked directly at it the guard saw it not, and when the shape glided toward them and lifted its shadowy hand in front of their faces, they, too, joined their comrades in slumber, sinking under a deep hypnotic spell. It was the work of a moment for the shadow to glide within the tent and set Renaud free, and a few moments later, unharmed and undiscovered, he was on his way toward the castle of Montaubon.

Maugis, however, felt that he had not completed his work. Charlemagne had that night visited his prisoner to assure himself that he was well guarded, and had then retired; determined, however, to remain awake, he resisted his desire to sleep until near midnight, and then so anxious was he for revenge that he arose and gave orders that preparations should be made for the execution at daybreak.

It was at this moment that Renaud stood erect among his sleeping guards, stripped of his chains, and a few moments later the shadowy figure of Maugis entered the tent of the emperor, who had meanwhile fallen into a deep sleep. As Maugis appeared on the scene he came upon Roland, who was endeavoring to awaken the emperor; it required but a few passes of that shadowy hand to cause the eyes of Roland to also close into a helpless state of somnambulance. The emperor was sleeping; Roland slept; the guards slept; and Maugis was alone with the emperor free to work his will. One stroke of the poignard would relieve him at once of his persecution and his persecutor, but no thought of committing this cowardly act possessed his noble soul. It was with the greatest reluctance he had used his occult powers in the rescue of his cousin. He was, however, content to humiliate the emperor and Roland, so he took from the side of Charlemagne his sword, the sword of Roland, famous by the name of “Durandel,” and the but little less noted sword of Olivier, called “Haute Clair.” He also took the swords of the twelve peers who had guarded Renaud; he hesitated not to visit the treasure of the emperor, taking therefrom his crown, his jewels and his precious stones; all this he bore away and placed in the hands of a faithful shepherd nearby, promising to reward him well for his fidelity and discretion. Once more returning to the tent of the emperor he bound him by one leg to the bed by one of the chains which had held Renaud, and departed noiselessly and undiscovered.

As the shadowy figure was just passing through the opening of the tent, Charlemagne awoke, and seeing the gliding form, he recognized the gigantic proportions of Maugis. He could hardly believe his eyes; he sprang up and would have followed him, but it was useless; he was retained by the chain with which Maugis had attached him to the bed.

“What ho!” he shouted.

Then he called for his attendants by name, but of Roland and all the lords in waiting nobody responded; every one was in a profound sleep.

What had happened? then suddenly he realized that his suite had all succumbed to the magic art of Maugis, and that all his efforts to arouse them would be in vain, and he fell back dejected on his bed.

Maugis, having taken his departure, hastened to join the shepherd with whom he had left the treasure, and having recommended him to continue guarding it with care, he took once more the road to the camp of Charlemagne; but this time, thoroughly disguised, with body bent, and face drawn, assuming the appearance of a travel-worn pilgrim. Thus changed he presented himself again to the emperor, who lay depressed and consumed with rage, still bound to his bed.

“Holy father, enter thou quickly,” cried Charlemagne to the supposed pilgrim.

“What has happened?” exclaimed the holy father; “when I was coming hither I passed freely in and no one stopped me; all thy lords and knights were sleeping, and there was no guard before thy tent.”

“It is the work of that sorcerer Maugis. Come hither and break the chains which hold me prisoner.”

The pretended pilgrim approached, and after some efforts succeeded in freeing the discomfited emperor, who, being grateful, gave him gold; this the pilgrim did not hesitate to quickly put in his pockets. Then the emperor discovered a small bottle containing a very clear liquid lying upon his couch. The pilgrim would have picked it up, when Charlemagne shouted:

“Have a care, holy father! that bottle belongs to Maugis, and without doubt contains some death-dealing liquid, with which he intended my destruction.”

Following these words, he dashed the vial into pieces upon the ground. It then happened the liquid gave forth a subtle odor, which penetrated everywhere and everyone was awakened; barons and knights, chiefs and soldiers, all awoke and rubbed their eyes with astonishment to see the pilgrim with the emperor, the entry of whom had aroused no one.

The emperor then recounted to his peers and courtiers what had happened, and gave hasty orders for the immediate pursuit of the fugitive. It chanced at this time that when the peers put their hands down to their sides they perceived that their swords were missing, and at this moment the guardian of the treasury rushed in, almost breathless with excitement, and told the emperor that crown, jewels, precious stones, and money, all had disappeared.

The emperor and the entire court were astounded, and gazed upon each other in dismay. They were appalled by the awful power that had been wielded against them. The emperor was the first to recover his senses.

“I will go myself in pursuit,” he shouted. “It will not be long before we capture him; has any one seen him leave the camp, and what road hath he taken?”

“Sire!” said the supposed pilgrim, “I can be thy guide. Coming hither, a figure hurried by me, bearing swords and other objects in his arms, and I know the road by which he left the camp, but thou must give me a horse to lead thee with. I am too feeble to walk.”

A horse was secured immediately, and escorted by Charlemagne and several knights, he started forth upon the road in pursuit of Maugis.

In the meantime, the soldiers had been aroused, and taking up their arms followed in the rear. The pilgrim being once more on horseback felt at his ease.

“I am not now very skillful,” said he. “I am not strong, but if you will give me a sword, I feel I could use it once more, possibly well if required, because in other days I used to manage a sword like a master.”

He was given a sword as he requested, and they continued upon the road.

Our pilgrim, followed by the imperial troops, now entered into a deep gorge, a narrow passage formed on either side by inaccessible rocks.

“If thou wilt permit me, sire,” said the pilgrim, “I think we have nearly overtaken him, and I will now march alone in advance, because if Maugis sees me mounted upon a good horse, he will seek to capture it, then I can summon you to my assistance, and by coming up quickly make yourself master of this wicked sorcerer.”

This stratagem was thought to be good and the emperor approved of it. Accordingly Maugis left them, and going some distance forward out of their sight, hurriedly dismounted, and ascended, by means of a secret path known only to himself, the high rock on one side of the gorge, and appeared at the top overlooking the imperial cavalcade; then throwing off his disguise, assumed his own form and stood erect in full view of the astonished emperor and his knights.

“I am Maugis!” he shouted, “whom you would unjustly send to death, and to-day I defy you once more, Charlemagne the proud! Do you recognize here your crown and your treasures? and you, sir knights, the haughty companions of your master, here are your swords, all in my power. However, thou canst have them once more—if the emperor will grant peace to the four sons of Aymon, all will be given back to you.”

Amid the furious cries of rage caused by this audacious defiance, Maugis disappeared before their eyes.

While the pride of Charlemagne and his peers was deeply wounded, not all the knights could restrain from laughing, secretly among themselves, at their misadventures, for the bravery and audacity of Maugis and his brothers had raised them highly in their estimation.

Being at last free from Charlemagne and his troops, Maugis returned quietly to Montaubon with the treasures. He was received there with the greatest joy, and when he showed his booty every one hastened to congratulate him on the success of his enterprise. The wealth was taken care of, and to the rage and mortification of Charlemagne, his golden eagle adorned the most elevated position on the château of Montaubon, for on the following morning when Charlemagne saw his golden eagle resplendent in the rays of the sun, he was astounded. He called his peers and said to them:

“We are dishonored, and we must secure ourselves at any price.”

He thereupon called the Duke de Naimes and Oger, who were relatives of Maugis, and ordered them to go to him, and say that if he would return what had been taken he would be granted a truce of two years.

It was an imposing procession that set out for the château Montaubon, headed by the two knights and followed by the flower of the court, and when they appeared before Maugis and his brothers, they were given a cordial and gracious reception.

“Brave knights,” said Oger, “thou canst not ignore the fact that the Duke de Naimes and myself have personally done all we could to stop this war, and that it would have terminated long since if the emperor had listened to our advice; this being so, we have some cause to ask thee to return our swords into our hands, and that if thou wilt also render all that thou hast taken from Charlemagne into our hands, he will grant thee a truce of two years.”

“Noble lords, and sir knights,” responded Maugis, “gladly will I grant thy request, and willingly will I return unto Charlemagne all that has been taken from him, on the condition of two years’ truce, and I can only hope and pray that during this time a final peace will be concluded.”

Then Maugis gave to each knight his own sword, and put into the possession of the Duke de Naimes all the treasure of the emperor that had been taken from him.

The generosity and nobility of character Maugis had shown in this matter awoke the friendly feeling and admiration of every peer of Charlemagne’s court. Even the emperor was affected almost to tears, and a general demand arose that the war be ended and peace be granted the brave young men. A certain number of the courtiers went to Montaubon and endeavored to persuade Maugis to appear again before the emperor, now that his heart had been somewhat softened, and endeavor to secure peace, and when Maugis, though strongly persuaded, hesitated, the Baron de Estouville even offered to remain at Montaubon as a hostage, and the Duke de Naimes, in behalf of all the knights present, guaranteed Maugis should return uninjured, then Maugis, finally, decided to go, though much against the advice of Yolande, who would have him absolutely refuse. When the party at last set out and had covered half the distance to the camp of Charlemagne, Oger and the Duke de Naimes, after consulting Maugis, rode forward to see Charlemagne, in order to prepare him for the coming interview.

Unhappily, fate seemed to pursue the dove of peace all through the career of Maugis and his brave brothers; no sooner did the horizon brighten for them than dark clouds would again gather and the storm beset them more furiously than ever. In this case it was Pinabel, an intimate of Ganelon, who, seeing what was going on, mounted his horse and hastened to the emperor, that he might arrive there first and prejudice him against the project of the two knights.

By making false reports, all kinds of calumnies, and above all, by appealing to the well-known weakness in the character of Charlemagne, his self-pride, appeals to which he was always susceptible, it hardly needed the lies and misrepresentations in addition to persuade him that the coming of Maugis was an insult if not a treachery.

So furious was the emperor made by the crafty deceits of Pinabel, that he summoned Olivier, saying:

“Harken me well, and obey me. I command thee to take four hundred men and go forward on the road to Montaubon, where thou wilt encounter the traitor Maugis and his brother Alard, who have the supreme assurance to insult me by coming hither. I command thee, thou shalt make them thy prisoners, even if thou dost lose thy entire force, and fail not,” he added sternly, “under pain of my displeasure.”

“I go, sire,” replied Olivier, who forthwith departed.

Olivier, who had no knowledge of the pledge given by Oger and the Duke de Naimes, assembled his troops quickly and departed on his mission.

It was at the very moment he left that Oger and his noble companion arrived to announce to the emperor the result of their embassy.

“Sire,” said Oger, “we have come to announce to thee that Maugis and his brother Alard are on their way hither to sue thee for peace; almost without exception the peers of thy court are lost in admiration of the nobility of character and the bravery of these young men. Sire, it is our devotion to thee, as well, that leads us to wish a reconciliation, that this cruel war may be ended with honor to both parties; we beseech thee, then, sire, to listen to their penitencies and grant them again thy favor, and be assured, sire, it will be an act to add to thy renown, and will be another instance of thy greatness of character.”

“Thou hast gone too far,” said the emperor coldly.

At these words the brave old soldier hesitated not to face the emperor and declared flatly:

“Sire! though our act may give thee displeasure, it was committed in the interest of justice and through devotion to thine own interests. It was the Duke de Naimes who has caused them to visit thee on the guarantee of our word of honor that they should be protected; rather than that be violated, I will, myself, if necessary, at the head of my own men, protect him from any one who shall put the least insult upon a man I now regard as a common friend.”

During this time Olivier had proceeded along the road until he encountered Maugis, who was marching alone, without arms, leading Bayard peacefully at the head of his escort. On seeing Olivier and his troops, Maugis turned quickly to the Archbishop Turpin and De Estonville, saying:

“You have betrayed me, behold the troops that come to make me prisoner.”

“We have not betrayed you,” replied the knights, and De Estonville added:

“God forfend us from committing such a vile infamy, and to prove it we will join in your defense, and will fight for you to the death.”

While they were having this discussion, Roland dashed up to sustain Olivier. The three knights, however, were determined to treat the affair with resolution, advancing to within a hundred paces of the opposing force, and shouting:

“Roland! stop, I pray you, in the name of honor, in the name of our word pledged, that not any injury shall befall Maugis and Alard, if they would visit the emperor and sue for peace.”

Olivier, who had left at the head of his troops against the dictates of his own heart to fulfill the mission for the emperor, was the first to accept this explanation joyfully, in which he was quickly joined by Roland, who said:

“We join you, with our brave companions; not only will we not arrest you, but if Maugis wishes we will all accompany you direct to the tent of Charlemagne. We could not do otherwise; we are all united in the same thought that Maugis should be accorded peace, plain and entire, and now is the time to have this miserable war terminated.”

In saying this, Roland uttered the sincere sentiments of his heart toward Maugis, having always found him so brave, so loyal, and so true, and he could not restrain from testifying to his feelings on this occasion. Entirely reassured by this friendliness, Maugis yielded himself into their hands, and they all, once more, took up their march for the camp.

On their arrival the emperor greeted them with a stern brow, and his face flushed with anger; a great hush fell upon the assembled company and an embarrassing silence ensued that was of ominous portent. Oger would have spoken, but Charlemagne, with an imperious gesture, stopped him, saying in a voice hoarse with passion:

“Silence! I am your master, let it suffice, once for all that I have decided that this traitor Maugis shall be punished like a rebel, as he is, and this time he shall not escape me.”

“Sire, that we shall not willingly permit,” responded the veteran Oger, fearlessly gazing into the face of Charlemagne. “No! it shall not be said we have given our word in vain; our honor is above all and unto the gravest consequences, understand, we shall defend him against you.”

At these defiant words a great hush fell upon the assembled courtiers, and so intense was the moment that not a word was said, while Charlemagne sat with eyes blazing, clutching his robe in his hands too amazed for utterance.

It was at this moment that Maugis, perceiving a situation so tense would evidently lead to a conflict, advanced and modestly addressing the emperor, said:

“Sire! I have complied with all the conditions you have imposed upon me. I have not swerved from a single point. I came here alone, without arms, on the faith of these brave knights to ratify with you the basis of a peace. What reproaches can I merit for this? If I have fought against thee, it is because thou hast incessantly pursued me; because thou hast tracked me like a wild beast, and all because at the beginning I refused to sustain thee in a war where my honor commanded me to remain neutral. Ah, sire!” earnestly pleaded Maugis, “reflect, examine my actions well; judge my conduct with impartiality, and thou wilt end in rendering me the justice which is my due.”

It needed but these firm and modest words to add to the evident signs of disapproval on the part of his courtiers to convince Charlemagne that he had gone too far; that with but few exceptions his entire court was against him, and that if he continued his policy there would be no other outcome than his own humiliation, if not defeat. Quick of resource, however, he pondered but a moment before he made reply, and turning to Maugis, said:

“Art thou prepared to make thy cause good, in single combat arms in hand?”

This change in the aspect of the subject by an appeal to a single combat was a happy thought; it restored the emperor in the opinion of his knights and offered a solution of the differences customary and honorable in those warlike times. Maugis, on his part, hailing any prospects to secure peace with joy, promptly answered:

“Right willingly, sire, will I accept thy challenge; and all I ask is, that the Archbishop Turpin, Oger, the Duke de Naimes and Olivier will be my seconds.”

The knights mentioned immediately gave their consent. Maugis was at once liberated. Here Roland came forward, saying:

“Sire! I beg thee that I may be allowed to take thy place in the coming duel.”

“I cannot consent,” responded Charlemagne.

“And it please thy majesty,” cried Maugis, “right willingly will I accept him as thy substitute.”

“Then be it so,” replied Charlemagne.

Maugis then quickly mounted his horse, saluted all present, departed, having previously taken leave of his new friends, all promising to meet at the rendezvous fixed for the duel on the following day.

Upon the return of Maugis to Montaubon, his people, thinking peace had been concluded, greeted him with congratulations and rejoicings; he only pausing long enough on it to thank them warmly, hastened to Yolande, who from the time of his departure had suffered a constant inquietude; after reassuring her, he turned to his brothers, saying:

“My friends, on the morrow I go to engage in a most terrible combat with one of the bravest of knights. Shall I conquer? I know not! If I succumb, in the name of the love which you have always had for me, I commend to your care my wife and my children; save them from the rage of Charlemagne. I have right on my side. My courage is equal to that of Roland. I have confidence in divine justice, but against all that I may fall.”

At these words everyone had tears in their eyes though they tried to conceal them, and the three brothers of Maugis insisted that Renaud should be left in command of Montaubon while they accompanied him to the field of the combat.