CHAPTER 32

The King's Army

He woke like a giant refreshed with wine.

When he went into the king's chamber, the housemaid sat where he had
left her, and everything in the room was as it had been the night
before, save that a heavenly odour of roses filled the air of it. He
went up to the bed. The king opened his eyes, and the soul of perfect
health shone out of them. Nor was Curdie amazed in his delight.

'Is it not time to rise, Curdie?' said the king.

'It is, Your Majesty. Today we must be doing,' answered Curdie.

'What must we be doing today, Curdie?'

'Fighting, sire.'

'Then fetch me my armour--that of plated steel, in the chest there.
You will find the underclothing with it.'

As he spoke, he reached out his hand for his sword, which hung in the
bed before him, drew it, and examined the blade.

'A little rusty!' he said, 'but the edge is there. We shall polish it
ourselves today--not on the wheel. Curdie, my son, I wake from a
troubled dream. A glorious torture has ended it, and I live. I know
now well how things are, but you shall explain them to me as I get on
my armour. No, I need no bath. I am clean. Call the colonel of the
guard.'

In complete steel the old man stepped into the chamber. He knew it
not, but the old princess had passed through his room in the night.

'Why, Sir Bronzebeard!' said the king, 'you are dressed before me! You
need no valet, old man, when there is battle in the wind!'

'Battle, sire!' returned the colonel. 'Where then are our soldiers?'

'Why, there and here,' answered the king, pointing to the colonel
first, and then to himself. 'Where else, man? The enemy will be upon
us ere sunset, if we be not upon him ere noon. What other thing was in
your brave brain when you donned your armour, friend?'

'Your Majesty's orders, sire,' answered Sir Bronzebeard.

The king smiled and turned to Curdie.

'And what was in yours, Curdie, for your first word was of battle?'

'See, Your Majesty,' answered Curdie; 'I have polished my mattock. If
Your Majesty had not taken the command, I would have met the enemy at
the head of my beasts, and died in comfort, or done better.'

'Brave boy!' said the king. 'He who takes his life in his hand is the
only soldier. You shall head your beasts today. Sir Bronzebeard, will
you die with me if need be?'

'Seven times, my king,' said the colonel.

'Then shall we win this battle!' said the king. 'Curdie, go and b