The Iron
Crown

I awoke with a terrible jolt and, with catlike reflexes of which the King would have thought highly I'm sure, leaped in one bound to cover at the top of a high rock on that benevolent shore.

For before me, as I wakened, had stood the form of him whom time and the seasons seemed to have turned into my incubus and archest-enemy, Denis, Denis of Pernia, Denis de Moulins, Denis bane of the King!

But the hatred must have been in my dream, for when my eyes focussed, Denis was kneeling by me, a calm smile on his face.

In his hand he held a scroll tied with a golden ribbon from which hung a large red seal.

Noticing my enquiring glance, he immediately gave explanation: "Ralubut, my son, this is for you. Guard it well, for in the Valley of Silence it will give you power to speak. It is given you by the Fourteen Sages of the Lake that your quest may succeed. But beware, it must never be opened until you stand once more before the King or his equal. In most cases merely to show the seal will be sufficient."

With that I took the scroll from him.

Seeing the Fourteen Sages, seated by the shore amongst my men, I went over to them. Kneeling before their leader, who wore the Green Robe of Power, I repeated many times my name, my fathers and my quest.

The great Sages appeared benign, though each was armed with many sharp knives, and I ended my speech with an expression of gratitude for the mysterious scroll.

Denis then sang a lay of Elimilech, and we sat down to a meagre meal. The Sages ate greedily and at length stood up. For the first time since my sleeping I noticed the great board they had borne. Was it a raft, and was our quest to lie across this great lake? Aye.

The Sages gave orders in ringing tones, and it became clear that we were to visit the island with the pinnacled building, which they called the Basenjoria, and that the tide would take us there.

All my men, who were trained sailors, were soon aboard, and the Sages lined up by the lapping waters' edge.

I wondered if Denis would be coming with us.

He handed the iron crown silently to the bowing Sages and stepped aboard.

Immediately a great wave bore us far out into the lake and at length we came to a rocky islet where hordes of natives received us.

They led us at once to their settlement and fed us, while we watched them dance and sing in insistent and rhythmic wise.

We began to grow drowsy again.