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Taking note of these preparations, Milo and Caudabil conferred in low voices,
then Milo suddenly clutched his side and set up a hollow groaning.
Queen Caudabil called out to Sir Mungo the Seneschal:  Alas! King Milo has
suffered a seizure! It is his old complaint! We will be unable to enjoy any
more games and competitions! He must retire at once to our quarters for rest
and proper treatment!
Once in their chambers, Queen Caudabil ordered in a repast of eight courses
and a sufficiency of good wine, which she declared was the best possible tonic
for King Milo.
During the middle afternoon Prince Brezante took a message to King Casmir, to
the effect that King
Milo felt well enough to join King Casmir at the evening banquet, and so it
was, with King Casmir and Queen Sollace sitting at table with the now merry
Milo and Caudabil until well into the evening.
In the morning King Milo was unable to rise early for fear of a new attack, so
that King Casmir and Queen Sollace sat as judges at the foot-races. Meanwhile
King Milo and Queen Caudabil took hearty breakfasts and were so improved that
they declared themselves ready to sit at a noon banquet of ordinary or even
festive proportions, while Sir Mungo and other officials of the court
supervised the competitions.
Late in the afternoon all the games and competitions were concluded and it
only remained for the champions to be awarded their prizes. The two royal
families assembled at one side of the platform; at the other gathered those
who had gained victory in the various sports, each now wearing a laurel wreath
and showing self-conscious grins to the crowds in the quadrangle.
At last all was in readiness. Madouc found herself seated be side Brezante,
whose efforts at conversation were desultory.
Four under-heralds blew a fanfare, and Sir Mungo stepped to the front of the
platform.  This is an auspicious day! Our royal guests from Blaloc regrettably
must make their departure tomorrow, but we hope that they have enjoyed to the
fullest the superb demonstrations of speed, stamina and skill which our men of
Lyonesse have demonstrated over the last three days! I will announce the
champions and in each case King Milo will bestow the prize, so well-deserved,
so proudly achieved, and so long to be cherished! And now without further
ado- Sir Mungo raised his hand high in a dramatic gesture. He looked all
around, up the Sfer Arct, and his voice went dead in his throat.
Slowly his hand sank so that, with a trembling finger, it pointed.
Down the Sfer Arct came a strange conveyance: a large black catafaique borne
on the shoulders of four running corpses, which at one time had used the names
Izmael the Hun, Este the Sweet, Galgus of Dahaut and Kegan the Celt. On top of
the catafaique stood a fifth corpse: the sallow young scout Idis, who now
wielded a whip and slashed at the four running cadavers, urging them to their
best efforts.
Nearer came the corpses carrying their elaborate burden. With wild sweeps of
the whip Idis guided them into the King s Parade, while the aifrighted crowds
drew back.
In front of the platform the runners tottered and collapsed. The catafalque
fell to the stone flags and broke open; out rolled another corpse: Cory of
Falonges.
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VIII
The royal family of Blaloc took a last breakfast at Haidion in company with
King Casmir and Queen
Sollace. It was a sombre occasion. The two queens made polite conversation,
but the two kings had little to say, and Prince Brezante sat moodily silent.
Princess Madouc had not appeared for breakfast but no one troubled to inquire
in regard to her absence. After breakfast, with the sun now halfway up the
sky, King Milo, Queen Caudabil and
Prince Brezante exchanged final compliments with King Casmir and Queen Sollace [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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