since it
is as wide as Windsor Keep, and woe betide him who lifts hand against
either of you for aught you may have done or left undone in the past
contrary to the laws of our realm. Yet remember well that this grace
runs not to the future. Now that matter is ended, and we come to one
that is greater. Because of the faith put in you by our loyal and
beloved subject, Sir Andrew Arnold, your godsire, and because we like
the fashion of you, Hugh de Cressi, and hold you brave and honest, it
has pleased us to give you a commission under which we direct the Mayor
of Dunwich and all true and lawful men of that town and hundred to aid
you in the taking or, if need be, in the slaying of our subject, Sir
Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon and Seigneur of Cattrina. We command you to
bring this man before us alive or dead, that his cause may be judged
of our courts and the truth of the matter alleged against him by the
Reverend Father Sir Andrew Arnold therein determined. Nevertheless, we
command you not to wound or kill the said knight unless he resists the
authority of us by you conveyed and you cannot otherwise hold him
safe from escaping from out this our realm. This commission you will
presently go forth to execute, keeping its tenor and your aim secret
until the moment comes to strike, and, as you perform your duty, of
which you will return and make report to us, so shall we judge and
reward you. Do you understand?"

"Sire," answered Hugh, bowing, "I understand, and I will obey to my last
breath."

"Good! When the parchments are engrossed my officer here will read them
to you and explain aught that may need it. Meanwhile, we have an hour or
two during which your horses can eat, for there are no fresh beasts here
to give you, and it is best, to avoid doubts, that you should return as
you came, only showing your powers if any should attempt to arrest
you. So let us have done with these heavy matters, and disport us for
a while. This servant of yours has made a common boast that he will
outshoot any of our picked archers, and now we are ready to go forth
and put him to the proof of the butts. Let him know, however, that,
notwithstanding our words of yesterday, we shall not hold him to blame
if he fails, since many a man of higher degree promises more at night
than he can perform in the morning."

"Sire, I'll do my best. I can no more," said Grey Dick. "Only I pray
that none may be suffered to hang about or pester me at the butts,