Читать книгу Below the Salt - Thomas B. Costain - Страница 36

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When all the preparations for the departure had been made, and the new tunic and the dagged cloak of scarlet wool (this term applied to the material, which was quite special and would wear for generations, and did not mean that the color was scarlet; it was more often brown or green) and the horse of spirit had been obtained, Richard rode out to meet his friend Alain of Casserlie and say farewell.

Alain arrived at the meeting place a little late but his eyes were shining. “I have news,” he called.

“And I also,” answered Richard. “Great, glorious news!”

“I’ll tell mine first,” said Alain, which was typical of him. “What do you think of this, Rick-with-the-Frown? I am to be wed. Oh, not at once. The articles have been agreed to but it will be a few years before we have the churching. My fair bride must have a chance to grow up.”

Richard looked soberly at his friend. “When that happens, it will be an end to everything between us, Alain,” he declared. “You will forget me when you leave the chapel with a wife on your arm.”

“You groutnoll! Romance means nothing in my life. I grant you that the small Adela is a sweet chick——”

“So it’s that one.”

“You have seen her? Then I don’t need to tell you that her hair’s a wonderful red and that she’s as pretty as a kitten. But when she rode away with her parents, I was glad to see the last of her. Oh, when it comes to wedding, I suppose I’ll get as soft and moon-struck as anyone but that’s years and years away. In the meanwhile I have my spurs to win.”

“Well,” said Richard after a pause, “now for mine. I’m going away. To be a page in the household of William the Marshal.”

Alain’s voice had been changing. Once a fine and high tenor, it had now taken to breaking up and down the scale in the most unpredictable ways. It was almost with a screech that he responded to this piece of information. “Richard!” he cried. “My good old Rick, my Dick, my Dickon, my very best friend! What everlasting luck!”

“My father went to the Crusades with the marshal,” explained Richard, his eyes shining with the enthusiasm which filled them. “Yes, it’s a wonderful chance. It makes up for everything bad that’s happened to me, even the loss of Baudene.”

Alain leaned over in his saddle and placed his hands on Richard’s shoulders. “Best of friends, I wish you joy of your great good fortune but I can’t help being jealous. Rick-with-the-Frown, I would change places with you this very minute. I would sell you my birthright for the chance, and throw in everything I’ll ever inherit from my father, and all the honors and lands which will come to me with my Adela. Nay, I would throw in the little redheaded Adela herself and still count myself the winner in the deal!”