FOLIO 12

Here is a night scene such as had never before been attempted in manuscript illumination, executed with a virtuosity hardly equaled even afterward. At the center, Cueur and Desire are resting under an aspen tree. Cueur has doffed his helmet so that his face is visible in three quarter profile; his armor gleams in the dusk. At left, the horses are grazing, Cueur's tall saddle outlined against the starry sky. At right, a tall dark slab can be seen, and more stars shimmer between the slender trees.

From the text we learn that after long wanderings, astray in the Forest of the Long Wait, Cueur and Desire finally emerged from the woods at nightfall. In the dark they came upon a broad marble slab with a fresh-water spring at its foot and a shallow brass cup on a chain resting on top. Although they cannot see how pure the water may be, Desire takes a drink, then hands the cup to Cueur who, after drinking from it, carelessly lets the rest of the water run down the marble shaft. Instantly. the hitherto clear, starry sky grows overcast with heavy storm-clouds; thunder and lightning , rain and hail come hurtling down on the the helpless exposed men, drenching them before they can reach shelter under a trembling aspen tree, they themselves trembling and shivering.

The storm ends as suddenly as it began, and the stars shine through the trees once more. The men are shown resting, Cueur propped up on his right hand, Desire leaning on his left elbow, talking over the fright they have just had, before they fall asleep. It is not until the next morning that they will find the solution to this mystery..
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