Its walls merely prolonged the precipices on which they were founded, its towers but lifted the mountain spurs more sharply to the sky.

It dominated two watersheds, was accessible only on one side, and then by a ridgeway; from it the valley roads and rockstrewn hillsides could be seen for many leagues.

Long before Richard was at the gate the Lord of Autafort had had warning, and had peered down upon his suzerain at his clambering.

'The crows shall have Richard before Richard me,' said Bertran de Born; so he had his bridge pulled up and portcullis let down, and Autafort showed a bald face to the newcomers.
Gaston grinned.

'Hospitality of Aquitaine! Hospitality of your duchy, Richard.' 'By my head,' said the Count, 'if I sleep under the stars I sleep at Autafort this night.