Sebastian's audience was exceptionally brief. It was not that the King was unwilling to speak further with this young man he valued, but because Vauban was carrying grave wounds—when he had left Condé's side, he had alarmed the Spaniards who had come to receive them. One count beside Prince of Condé had insisted that this traitor be executed, while another believed he should be pardoned. The young man had been brave and fearless; one might even say that he had sternly rebuked Prince of Condé, for at that time the Spaniards and the French were bitter enemies.
The final decision had still rested with Prince of Condé. He released Sebastian, saying that he did not wish to watch such a fine young fellow die. He also knew that many men in his army leaned toward the King, but so long as they remained willing to be loyal to him, he was willing to treat them with mercy. But before Sebastian left, the count who had insisted on executing him challenged him to a duel. In that duel, Sebastian's shoulder was pierced by a sword, and he had nearly died.
"Then how did you cross fifty leagues and reach Versailles?" the King asked.
"That is thanks to that worthy gentleman," Sebastian said. Though wounded, his voice remained bright and ringing, more spirited than that of a healthy man. "He became my second, and after I fell, he faced two fierce enemies at once—and won. Afterward, he had a doctor bind my wound and gave me a horse." At this point, he bowed to the King. "And I must also thank Your Majesty for the Queen Mother's crosses erected along the road. So long as I rested beneath one, no one dared steal or rob me of my horse. Some people were