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.Civilized beauty can only be made by destroyingthings. She was silent for a moment, meditating on the scene. Do you consider me beautiful? she asked after a moment. Yes. And of what type is my beauty: wild or civilized? It is partly of both.Your skin is wild, yet its features are civilized; forthe beauty of the first is its pattern, the second its expression.Your hairis civilized, for it is kept together neatly.But your eyes, he paused, Youreyes are the buds which cover the willow s branches, he pulled one from thetree beside him and rubbed it in his fingers. They are the smooth stone whichis found at the bottom of a stream, that the water ripples past.They are thefog which covers the ocean on a summer night.They are of the wild. Just then, the deer ran quickly from the field in a fright. They have seen us, Ivona said. No, but they have seen another, Willard answered, pointing to the far end ofthe meadow. A troop of horseman advances from the far side, and he stood toget a better view. It is the Elite Guard, and they go the execute a man! Page 69 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlCHAPTER TWENTY-THREETwenty black-clad horsemen rode into the meadow.They were well-equipped inthe accouterments of war, with steel shields the length of their upper bodies,plate armor and a plumed helmet, swords at their sides, and spears on theirbacks.It was a battalion of Gylain s Elite Guard.They were a fluid body,moving as one into the desired formation: a fifty foot circle.As there wereonly twenty horsemen, there were gaps in this circle, and it was possible tosee into its center.The leader dismounted first, carrying a double-headed ax.Two of his lieutenants followed him, the first carrying a wooden platform, andthe second a shriveled old man. Jack Clifford! whispered Ivona, They have Jack Clifford, the king sjester! The joke s on him, if we do nothing, for they are about to execute him. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Yet wewill do something, will we not? she looked to Willard. Yes, he answered. Climb this tree, until you have a good view of the field.Shoot however tries to execute him.In the meantime, Horatio and I will seewhat we can do. Just a moment, Ivona answered as she turned and dashed up the tree.Shestopped at the first branch and looked down at Willard, You have no chance ofvictory, Willard. Not if I meant to fight them.But Blaine Griffith is nearby, and he would notlet the Elite Guards dash about the forest without his supervision.We needonly to keep Clifford alive until Blaine and his men arrive. And if they do not show themselves? Then we fight. Willard and Horatio drew their hoods over their faces, and Willard hid hissword in the folds of his frock.They took to the open field, walking slowlyand meditatively with their hands linked together in front of them under theirbaggy sleeves.At first they pretended not to notice the horsemen, until theywere sure they had been sighted and their coming awaited.Then, with a slownod, they acknowledged the presence of the riders and continued on toward themat the slowest pace possible.The leader of theElite Guards realized he could not execute Clifford until the two monks cameup, for religious reasons, and grew impatient. Hurry there, you bloated bullhorns.I haven t got a thousand years. A thousand years are as a day, and a day is as a thousand years, Willardcalled back. Blasted monks, muttered the leader, and he resigned himself to wait untilthey arrived.A moment passed before the so-called monks reached them, and as they waitedthe riders stood with an impatient smirk upon their faces.When at last thetwo reached the circle, their leader hailed them. Hello there, monks, he said, What is it that you want? We smelled death upon the wind this morning, sir, and have come to collectthat which is God s. That is churchmen for you, arriving just as there is money to be had.But youhad best be on your way, friends, for this poor fellow is just that -- a poorfellow. I meant his soul. Indeed? You can have that, if he gives it.You have my leave to take it, atleast. The horseman laughed, For he has suffered enough. It was evidentfrom his appearance that Clifford had been severely beaten. May we take him aside privately, and offer him his last rights? If you must, but in the center of our circle, at the platform. Willard and Horatio took Clifford by the arms and led him to the center of thecircle, where theirGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlPage 70 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlwhispers could not be overheard.The old jester was haggard and dazed, but hiswits still seemed to be with him.And a man with his wits is never alone. How are you holding up, old fellow? Willard questioned in a friendly manner.Clifford looked at him with confusion, searching his face for a moment beforehis mouth slipped up into a beaming smile and he exclaimed, By God, its theking! The jester remembered Alfonzo s account, and recognized the grown man whom hehad once known as a child.Willard, however, thought the beatings had bruisedhis brain and left him with visions.He thought it best to let him think whathe would. Yes, I am the king.We must escape, though. Time s up! roared the leader of the horseman as he started toward them.Hegrabbed Clifford with his burly hands and pushed him down onto the woodenplatform.He took the ax from his side and raised it above his head to bringit down on Clifford s neck.An arrow flew from the upper branches of the willow tree and struck thecommander in the back
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