CHAPTER THREE
A Combat
"Good Launcelot, I trust that good fortune shall be with us and thatour adventures be many and the knights we meet bold and brave."
"Of that, Gawaine, we need have no fear. For adventure ever followswhere one seeks and often enough overtakes the seeker. Let us ratherhope that we shall find Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadian, both ofCornwall. For myself I would joust with Sir Tristram than whom braverand bolder knight does not live."
"And as for me," spoke Gawaine, "my anxiety is to see Mark, the kingof Cornwall, and tell him to his face that I deem him a scurvy houndsince he promised protection to Beatrice of Banisar as she passedthrough his lands and yet broke his promise and so holds her forransom."
"And there shall I help you, dear Gawaine. For bitterly shall Mark ruehis unknightly act. Shall I even wait for my event with Sir Tristramuntil your business is done."
"Aye, and gladly will Sir Tristram wait, I wot, if he deems it honorto meet with Sir Launcelot du Lake. For no knight there is who dothnot know of your prowess and repute, Sir Tristram least of all."
"Kind words, Gawaine, for which I thank you. Yet, if I mistake not,yonder, adventure seems to wait. And we but a little more than twoscore miles from our gates."
Ahead of them and barring their way were ten knights. Launcelot andGawaine stopped not a moment their pace but rode boldly forward.
"And wherefor do you, strange Knights, dispute our passage?" asked SirGawaine.
"Safely may you both pass unless you be gentlemen of King Arthur'scourt," quote the leader who stepped forward to answer.
"And what if we be, Sir Knight?" replied Sir Launcelot mildly.
"And if you be then must you battle to the uttermost. For we oweloyalty to King Ryence who is enemy of King Arthur. Therefore, are wehis enemies too, and enemies also of all of King Arthur's subjects.And thus, we flaunt our enmity. We here and now call King Arthur anupstart and if you be of his court you cannot do aught else but fightwith us."
"Keep you your words," said Sir Gawaine, "until we have ceased ourquarrel. Then if you will you may call Arthur any names. Prepare you."
Boldly Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine charged upon the foe. Nor did theknights who met them know who these two were, else milder were theirtone. Such was the valor of the two and such their strength that fourmen were thrown from their horses in that first attack and of thesetwo were grievously wounded.
Together and well they fought. Easily did they withstand the men ofKing Ryence. Four men were slain by their might, through wondrous andfearful strokes, and four were sorely wounded. There lay the fouragainst an oaken tree where they had been placed in a moment's lull.But two knights were left to oppose Launcelot and Gawaine but thesetwo were gallant men and worthy, the very best of all the ten.
So they fought again each with a single foe. Hard pressed were the twomen of King Ryence, yet stubbornly they would not give way. And aseach side gave blow for blow, so each called "for Arthur" or "forRyence," whichever the case might be. Many hours they fought until atlast Sir Launcelot by a powerful blow crashed both foe and foe's horseto the ground.
And as the other would further combat, though exceedingly weak, SirLauncelot, upraised lance in hand by a swift stroke smote sword fromout of his weakened grasp.
"Thou art a brave knight, friend. And having fought so well, I ask nofurther penance but this, that you do now declare King Arthur noupstart. I care not for your enmity but I will abide no slander."
"So must I then declare, since you have proven better man than I,"declared the conquered knight. "And for your leniency I owe youthanks. Wherefore then to whom am I grateful? I pray your name?"
"That I shall not tell until I hear your own," replied Launcelot.
"I am known as Ronald de Lile," the other replied in subdued tone.
"Truly and well have I heard of you as a brave knight," was the reply,"and now I know it to be so. I am Sir Launcelot du Lake."
"Then indeed is honor mine and glory, too. For honor it is to succumbto Sir Launcelot."
But now both heard the voice of Gawaine. Weak had he grown, but weakerstill his foe. Gawaine had brought the other to earth at last withswift and mighty blow and such was the force of his stroke the fallenman could not rise although he made great ado so to do.
"So must I yield," this knight declared. "Now will I admit Arthur noupstart, but though I die for it I do declare no greater king thanRyence ever lived."
"By my faith, your words are but such as any knight must hold of hisown sovereign prince. I cannot take offense at brave words, SirKnight. Now, give me your name, for you are strong and worthy."
"I am Marvin, brother of him who fought with your comrade. And neverhave we met bolder and greater knights."
"I am Gawaine and he who fought your brother is none other thanLauncelot."
"Then truly have we met no mean foes," replied the other.
Conquered and conquerers now turned to make the wounded as comfortableas they well could be. After which, our two knights debated going ontheir journey or tarrying where they were until the morn.
"Let us wend our way until we find fit place for food and rest. Therecan we tarry." So spoke Launcelot and the other agreed.
Then they took leave of Sir Marvin and Sir Ronald and so on their way.Not many miles did they go however before they found suitable place.Late was the hour and weary and much in need of rest were the twoknights. So they slept while, half his journey covered, Allan spedonward, making fast time because he was but light of weight and hishorse exceeding swift.