When the emperor, his guests and courtiers were seated at dinner that
day, Princess Oda entered the hall, followed by her ladies. She went
round the table, and told all and sundry of her desire to liberate the
twelve prisoners, and of the condition her father had made. “Now who”
she asked, “will let his head be surety for the heads of these unhappy
men?”
A dead silence reigned in the hall. At last Dietrich rose in his place,
and in a loud clear voice offered himself as hostage for the men. Upon
which the emperor ordered the twelve counts to be brought out of their
prison, taken to the bath and provided with clothes suitable to their
rank and condition. This was done, and while the poor fellows, scarcely
able to believe their senses, were seated at the meal provided for
them, some one outside began to play the harp. They listened intently,
a deep flush dyeing their sunken cheeks, and a flash of joyful surprise
brightening their sad eyes, for they recognised the air. “It is he! Our
king is near. He has come to save us!” they whispered in awe-struck
accents. Weeks passed, and light and food did their work in restoring
the strength of the prisoners.
One day the door of their room opened, and Rother came in dressed in
his full armour. “You are free,” he said joyously, but he had scarcely
had time to greet them when Berchther rushed forward to embrace his
sons, followed by Wolfrat, the hero of Tegeling, strong Asprian, and
Widolt, his inseparable companion.
Rother told Leupold, and the rest, about their voyage, and that he was
only known to the Greeks by the name of Dietrich. Then he told how he
had won the love of fair Oda, and through her help had gained their
freedom at the risk of his own life. But the best was yet to come.
Imelot, king of Desert-Babylon, had invaded Constantine’s realm with a
mighty army, and had demanded half the empire, and the hand of Princess
Oda for his son Basilistum. “The emperor not knowing what to do,”
continued Rother, “I offered to help him if he would allow you to join
me and my friends. He consented, and so you are free to become my
comrades in battle. Your armour and weapons lie without.”
Widolt was so delighted at the thought of fighting that he gave way to
a stentorian burst of laughter, and nearly knocked the emperor down by
accident when he came in to tell the prisoners that they were free.