Page:Rewards and Fairies (Kipling, 1910).djvu/42

20 Merlin’s either for that matter. I followed the boy by the flashes and the whirling wildfire of his discontent, and oh, but I grieved for him! Oh, but I grieved for him! He pounded back and forth like a bullock in a strange pasture — sometimes alone — sometimes waist-deep among his shadow-hounds — sometimes leading his shadow-knights on a hawk-winged horse to rescue his shadow-girls. I never guessed he had such magic at his command; but it’s often that way with boys.

‘Just when the owl comes home for the second time, I saw Sir Huon and the Lady ride down my Hill where there’s not much magic allowed except mine. They were very pleased at the Boy’s magic — our valley flared with it — and I heard them settling his splendid fortune when they should find it in their hearts to let him go to act and influence among folk in housen. Sir Huon was for making him a great King somewhere or other, and the Lady was for making him a marvellous wise man whom all should praise for his skill and kindness. She was very kind-hearted.

‘Of a sudden we saw the flashes of his discontent turned back on the clouds, and his shadow-hounds stopped baying.

‘"There’s Magic fighting Magic over yonder," the Lady Esclairmonde cried, reining up. "Who is against him?"

‘I could have told her, but I did not count it any of my business to speak of Asa Thor’s comings and goings.’