Rainouart went back to the kitchen and slept soundly, but as he had
drunk much wine the cooks and scullions thought to play jokes upon him,
and lighted some wooden shavings with which to burn his moustache. At
the first touch of the flame Rainouart leapt to his feet, seized the
head cook by his legs, flung him on to the blazing fire, and turned for
another victim, but they had all fled.
At daybreak they went to William to pray for vengeance on the murderer
of the cook. If the Count would not forbid him the kitchen, not a
morsel of food would they cook. But William only laughed at their
threats, and said, "Beware henceforth how you meddle with Rainouart.
Did I not forbid anyone to mock at him, and do you dare to disobey my
orders? Lady Gibourc, take Rainouart to your chamber, and keep him
beside you."
So the Countess went to the kitchen and found Rainouart sitting on a
bench, his head leaning against his staff. She sat down by him and
said graciously, "Brother, come with me and we will have some talk
together."
[Illustration: The Lady Gibourc with Rainouart in the kitchen]
"Willingly," answered Rainouart, "the more so that I can hardly keep my
hands off these scoundrels."
He followed Gibourc to her room, and then she questioned him about his
childhood.
"Have you brothers or sisters?" asked she.
"Yes," he answered, "beyond the sea I have a brother who is a King, and
a sister who is more beautiful than a fairy," and as he spoke he bent
his head. Something in her heart told Gibourc that this might be her
brother, but she only asked again, "Where do you come from?"
"Lady," he replied, "I will answer that question the day I come back
from the battle which William shall have won, thanks to my aid."
Gibourc kept silence, but she opened a chest and drew from it a white
breastplate that had belonged to her uncle, which was so finely wrought
that no sword could pierce it; likewise a helmet of steel and a sword
that could cut through iron more easily than a scythe cuts grass. "My
friend," she said, "buckle this sword to your side. It may be useful
to you."
Rainouart took the sword and drew it from its scabbard, but it seemed
so light that he threw it down again. "Lady," he cried, "what good can
such a plaything do me? But with my staff between my hands there is
not a Pagan that can stand up against me, and if one escapes then let
Count William drive me from his door."
At this Gibourc felt sure this was indeed her brother, but she did not
yet like to ask him more questions, and in her joy she began to weep.
"Lady," said Rainouart, "do not weep. As long as my staff is whole
William shall be safe."
"My friend, may Heaven protect you," she answered, "but a man without
armour is soon cut down; so take these things and wear them in battle,"
and she laced on the helmet, and buckled the breastplate, and fastened
the sword on his thigh. "If your staff breaks, it may serve you," said
she.
Rainouart was proud indeed when the armour was girded on him, and he
sat himself down well pleased at William's table. The Knights vied
with each other in pouring him out bumpers of wine, and after dinner
every man tried to lift his iron-bound staff, but none could raise it
from the ground, except William himself, who by putting forth all his
strength lifted it the height of a foot.
"Let me aid you," said Rainouart, and he whirled it round his head,
throwing it lightly from hand to hand. "We are wasting time," he said.
"I fear lest the Saracens should fly before we come up with them. If I
only have the chance to make them feel the weight of my staff, I will
soon sweep the battlefield." And William embraced him for these words,
and ordered the trumpets to be sounded and the army to march.
From her window Gibourc watched them go. She saw the Knights stream
out into the plain, their banners floating on the wind, their helmets
shining in the sun, their shields glittering with gold. She heard
their horses neigh, and she prayed God to bless all this noble host.