It was necessary that the Master provehimself against this beast. That was what Tyl wanted, for failure wouldcertainly damage his image. He did not appreciate being maneuvered, but thealternatives were worse-and he did privately admire the manner Tyl had set thisup. The man would be a valuable ally, at such time as certain things changed.

      So it was the Nameless One, the Man of NoWeapon, Master of Empire-this leader took leave of the wife he had usurped fromthe former master, put routine affairs in the hands of competent subordinates,and set out on foot alone for Tyl's encampment. He wore a cloak over hisgrotesque and mighty body, but all who saw him in that region knew him andfeared him. His hair was white, his visage ugly, and there was no man to matchhim in the circle.

      In fifteen days he arrived. A youngstaffer who had never seen the Master challenged him at the border of the camp.The Nameless One took that staff and tied a knot in it and handed it back."Show this to Tyl of Two Weapons," he said.

      And Tyl came hurriedly with his entourage.He ordered the guard with the pretzel-staff to the fields to work among thewomen, as penalty for not recognizing the visitor. But the Weaponless said,"He was right to challenge when in doubt; let the man who straightens thatweapon chastise him, no other." So he was not punished, for no one excepta smithy could have unbent that metal rod. And no other man of that camp failedto know the Nameless One by sight thereafter.

      Next morning the Master took up a bow anda length of rope, for these were not weapons of the circle, and set off on thetrail of the raider. He took along a hound and a pack of supplies doublyloaded, but would tolerate the company of no other man. "I will bring thecreature back," he said.

      Tyl made no comment, thinking his ownthoughts.