Part 54 (1/2)
”If that is how it must be, so shall it be,” said Madouc. ”Still, you must pack the saddlebags well, with bread, cheese, dried fish, raisins, olives and wine. You will obtain these victuals from the royal pantry, which you will enter by crawling through the back window, as you well know through long experience. Bring weapons, or at least a knife to cut cheese and an axe to hew wood. Do you have any questions?”
”What of money? We cannot go skiting the countryside over without good silver coins.”
”I will carry three gold pieces in my wallet. This should amply suffice for our needs.”
”So it should, were we able to spend them.”
”The gold is good round gold, soft and yellow, even though it derived from s.h.i.+mrod.”
”Of that I have no doubt, but how will you spend such gold? To buy a wisp of hay for the horses? Or a plate of beans for our own nourishment? Who would give us back our proper exchange? They might well take us for thieves and clap us into the nearest dungeon.”
Madouc looked off across the stable-yard. ”I had not considered along these lines. What must be done?”
Sir Pom-Pom made a wise signal. ”Luckily, I know how to deal with the problem. Fetch here your three gold pieces, as soon as possible.”
”Oh?” Madouc raised her eyebrows in puzzlement. ”What then?”
”It so happens that I need a pair of boots, stout and proper, flared at the knee after the new mode, each with a suitable buckle. I will purchase the boots, which are needful for the journey, and I will pay with a gold piece. The cobbler must provide the exchange in silver and copper, which then we may use for our expenses.”
Madouc glanced at the buskins currently worn by Sir Pom Pom. ”You seem adequately shod.”
”Still, we ride abroad, and must maintain our dignity!”
”What is the cost of these elegant new boots?”
”A silver form!” blurted Sir Pom-Pom in scorn. ”Is it really so much when one demands both style and quality?”
Madouc heaved a sigh. ”I suppose not. What of the other two gold pieces?”
”Have no fear! I will contrive a plan which will serve our purposes! But you must bring me the gold at once, that I may start negotiations!”
”As you wish, but work to good effect! We must leave Haidion before something happens to change our plans!”
Sir Pom-Pom, still dubious in regard to the venture, looked around the stable-yard. ”Where will be our first destination?”
”We go first to Thripsey Shee, where I will take counsel with my mother.”
Sir Pom-Pom gave a grudging nod. ”She might even have news of the Holy Grail.”
”That is possible.”
”So be it!” declared Sir Pom-Pom with sudden energy. ”I am not one to ignore the call of Destiny!”
”Brave words, Sir Pom-Pom! I am of like mind.”
Sir Pom-Pom turned Madouc a sly and waggish grin. ”If I win the boon, I will then be ent.i.tled to wed the royal princess!”
Madouc pursed her lips against a smile. ”I do not know about that. But surely you would be received at court, where you could choose a spouse from among my maids-in-waiting.”
”First I must possess myself of the Grail,” said Sir Pom- Pom. ”Then I will make my own choice. But as of this moment, fetch the gold, and I will see to my business.”