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he had magicked up to caparison the boar-horse suddenly developed a thicker
band of cloth-of-gold added to its bottom. The studs on the face of Mnrogar's
shield were replaced with bright gems diamonds, rubies and sapphires; and
around the top of the troll's tilting helm appeared a golden crown.
"What on earth ?" said Angie.
"You'll see, when I utter his challenge through you," said Jim. "Now, Angie,
what I want you to do is simply ride out around the tent, to near Ned Dunster,
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ahead of Mnrogar. Mnrogar will say nothing whatsoever. Then Ned will put his
horn to his lips, and I'll magically make it sound once. Wait until the last
note has had a chance to linger on their ears for a few seconds. Then open
your mouth and mime the motions of speaking. I'll speak through your mouth
magically and issue Mnrogar's challenge. It'll end up with a question does
anyone here want to take up that challenge?"
"That other trumpet's going to answer yes within seconds, I bet," said Angie.
"I think so, too," said Jim. "However, you wait for it; and when it comes,
turn back and ride past Mnrogar, taking hold of the bridle of his horse and
leading him back around the large tent and into it. Both Mnrogar and you look
like something the devil dreamed up, so I'm pretty sure by that time no
regular attendants will be showing up to help. Brian, myself, and our
men-at-arms will still be here. Mnrogar's all ready."
"Why take him back inside, then?" Angie asked. "It seems to me "
"I want him out of sight except when he's actually jousting," said Jim. "He
or the boar-horse might do something to make people too suspicious. Now, when
you go out later for the jousts, you'll be carrying his spear. You get down
and hand it up to him. Then Ned Dunster will play herald again; I'll make his
trumpet sound, and Mnrogar will ride against the first knight chosen to ride
against him. We may have to wait for some time in the tent first, though,
while the knights who want to try taking on Mnrogar argue who's to be first."
"That's all right," said Angie. "Both Enna and the wet nurse are in our
rooms, the men-at-arms are there and that was a very good idea of yours to
have Hob-One up the chimney."
"Oh, you know about that?" said Jim. "I haven't had time to tell "
"Hob-One's beginning to trust me," said Angie. "When I was alone in the front
room, he came down and really talked to me for the first time."
She stopped speaking, because Brian, Mnrogar on the boar-horse and the men
had come up behind them. Jim turned his attention to them as they halted with
the boar-horse just behind Brian's transformed palfrey.
"All right, Brian," Jim said to him. "Angie's ready to ride out as the
squire, and Mnrogar should come out maybe ten feet behind her. Is he all
ready?"
"He is," said Brian. "I'll leave you to say when he is to follow though,
James, and how to act. He obeys all commands since Carolinus magicked him. But
it is no doubt best he hear only your voice commanding him from here on. Now I
must get back to the stands, myself, to be on hand there when knights start to
call for their chance to ride against Mnrogar. As winner of the tourney I have
pride of place."
"Brian!" said Jim. "You're not thinking of riding against Mnrogar, are you?
You know what he's capable of doing, particularly with that boar-horse "
"Oh it would pleasure me to ride against him. It's just possible I might but,
no," said Brian, "we want Mnrogar to win over all he rides against. After me,
Sir Harimore has best claim to ride first against the Black Knight. He will
defer to me, of course; but I will say that Blanchard has come up with a limp,
and I do not want to risk him by riding him in the lists again today. All
understand that no knight would want to joust unless he was properly horsed.
Harimore will know the limp is only an excuse; but he will also know I am not
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saying this out of any lack of will to fight. He will take it as a courtesy to
him, because of his saddle breaking and costing him in our last essay."
Angie unsuccessfully did her best to smother a chuckle. Brian glanced at her
in a puzzled fashion for a moment, then went on.
"After that," he continued, "there will be whoever else wants to ride. I
would warrant a half-dozen at least, for all Mnrogar's size and fearful
appearance. Also, you remember we talked of someone in the stands who could
suggest that Mnrogar might be other than human, against which it was the duty
of a Christian gentleman to ride. I will be there to help that idea along, if
any should be doubtful that a gentleman might be lowering himself to oppose
this Black Knight from nowhere."
"I'd forgotten about that," said Jim. "All right, Brian. You can start right
away if you want. Mnrogar, are you listening to me?"
"Yes," came the hollow and slightly distorted voice of Mnrogar from inside
the enormous helm.
"You are to ride out peaceably after the squire, here, on the horse in front
of yours, just now. You are to say nothing. The herald will sound his
trumpet," Jim said, "and the squire will deliver his message. Then the squire
will ride back past you, take the reins of your horse and lead it and you with
him back into the tent, where you will wait until the time for the first
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