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Tristram And Isolde At Joyous Gard, a fiction by Charles Morris |
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Chapter 3. On The Road To Lonazep |
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_ CHAPTER III. ON THE ROAD TO LONAZEP The four knights rode onward in company until they came in sight of the castle of Lonazep, where they saw striking preparations for the tournament. For not less than four hundred tents and pavilions covered the plain outside the great circle of the lists, and war-horses and knights in armor were there in hundreds. "Truly," said Tristram, "this is the royalest show that I ever saw." "You forget," answered Palamides. "It had its equal at the Castle of Maidens, where you won the prize." "And in that tournament which Galahalt of the Long Isles held in Surluse there was as great a gathering," said Dinadan. "I was not there; who won the prize?" asked Tristram. "Lancelot du Lake, and the next after him was the noble knight Lamorak de Galis." "A noble fellow, indeed, I never met his better, save Sir Lancelot. His murder was shameful, and were they not the nephews of my lord Arthur that slew him, by my faith they should die the death. And this without prejudice to you, Sir Gareth." "Say what you will on that point; I am with you," answered Gareth. "Though my own brothers did that bloody work, I hold not with them. None of them love me, as you well know, and I have left their company as murderers. Had I been by when Lamorak was killed there might have been another tale to tell." "Truly that is well said of you," rejoined Tristram. "I would rather have been there than to have all the gold between here and Rome." "And I also," said Palamides. "It is a burning disgrace to the Round Table fellowship that such a knight should have been ambushed and slain on his way from a passage-at-arms where he had won the prize of valor." "Out on such treason!" cried Tristram. "The tale of it makes my blood run cold." "And mine as well," said Gareth. "I can never love or respect my brothers again for that ruthless deed." "Yet to speak of it is useless," said Palamides. "His life is gone; we cannot bring it back again." "There lies the pity," said Dinadan. "No matter how good and noble a man may be, when he stops breathing all else stops with him. By good luck, though, the same rule holds with villains and cowards. As for Gawaine and his brothers, except you, Sir Gareth, they hate the best knights of the Round Table, and Lancelot and his kindred above all. Only that Lancelot is well aware of this, they might draw him into as deadly a trap as they drew poor Lamorak." "Come, come, remember that Gareth is their brother," said Palamides. "Let us change the subject. Here is this tournament,--what part shall we play here? My advice is that we four hold together against all that may assail us." "That is not my counsel," said Tristram. "By their pavilions we may count on some four hundred knights, and doubtless many of them worthy ones. If we play the game of four against all comers we are likely to find ourselves borne down by numbers. Many good knights have lost the game by taking too great odds. Manhood is of little avail if it be not tempered by wisdom. If you think it best we may try it, and see what we can do in company, but, as a rule, I prefer to fight for my own hand." As they thus talked they rode away from Lonazep, and in due time came to the banks of the Humber, where they were surprised by a loud and grievous cry that seemed full of doleful meaning. Looking over the waters they saw approaching before the wind a vessel richly draped with red silk. Not long had they waited when it came to the shore, at a point close by where they stood. Seeing this strange thing and hearing the doleful cries which came from the vessel, the knights gave their horses in care of their squires, and approached on foot, Tristram boarding the vessel. When he reached the deck he saw there a bed with rich silken coverings, on which lay a dead knight, armed save the head, which was crimsoned with blood. And through great gaps in his armor deadly wounds could be seen. "What means this?" said Tristram. "How came this knight by his death?" As he spoke he saw that a letter lay in the dead knight's hand. "Master mariners," he asked of those on board the vessel, "what does this strange thing signify?" "Sir knight," they answered, "by the letter which the dead knight bears you may learn how and for what cause he was slain, and what name he bore. Yet first heed well this warning: No man must take and read that letter unless he be a knight of proved valor, and faithfully promises to revenge the murder of this good warrior." "There be those among us able to revenge him," answered Tristram. "And if he shall prove to have been foully treated his death shall not go unredressed." Therewith he took the letter from the knight's hand and opened it. Thus it read,-- "I, Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, request of all knights-errant and all noble knights of Arthur's court, that they find one knight who will fight for my sake with two false brethren, whom I brought up from nothingness and who have feloniously and treacherously slain me. And it is my will and desire that the valiant knight who avenges my death shall become lord of my Red City and all my castles." "Sir," said the mariners, "the king and knight that lies here dead was a man of great virtue and noble prowess, and one who loved all knights-errant, and, above all, those of King Arthur's court." "It is a piteous case, truly," said Tristram. "I would fain take the enterprise in hand myself, but that I have made a solemn promise to take part in this great tournament. It was for my sake in especial that my lord Arthur made it, and I cannot in honor and courtesy fail to attend it. Therefore I am not free to undertake any adventure which may keep me from the lists." "I pray you, dear sir," said Palamides, who had followed Tristram into the vessel, "to put this enterprise into my hands. I promise to achieve it worthily or to die in the effort." "Be it so," said Tristram. "You may go if you will. But first I wish your promise to return so as to be with me at the tournament this day week, if possible." "That promise I freely give. If I be alive and unhurt, and my task be not too arduous and long, I shall be with you by that day." This said, Tristram left the vessel, leaving Palamides in it, and he, with Gareth and Dinadan, stood watching it as the mariners hoisted its sails and it glided swiftly away over long Humber. Not till it was out of sight did they return to their horses, and look about them. As they did so they beheld near them a knight, who came up unarmed save a sword, and saluted them with all courtesy. "Fair sirs," he said, "I pray you, as knights-errant, to come and see my castle, and take such fare as you may find there. This I heartily request." "That shall we willingly do, and thank you for your courtesy," they answered, and rode with him to his castle, which was near by. Here they entered a richly-furnished hall, and, having laid off their armor, took their seats at a well-laden table. But when the host saw Tristram's face, he knew him, and first grew pale and then angry of countenance. "Sir, mine host," said Tristram, on seeing this threatening aspect, "what is wrong with you, I pray?" "I know you, Tristram de Lyonesse," answered the knight, hotly. "You slew my brother. Honor demands that I shall not seek revenge here, but I give you warning that I will kill you when I meet you outside my castle." "I have no knowledge of you or your brother," answered Tristram. "But no man can say that I ever killed any one except in fair and open fight. If I have done as you say I stand ready to make what amends are in my power." "I desire no amends," rejoined the knight. "But I warn you to keep from me." Tristram at this rose from the table and asked for his arms, his companions following him. Seeking their horses they rode away, but they had not gone far from the castle when Dinadan saw a knight following them, who was well armed, but bore no shield. "Take care of yourself, Sir Tristram," he said. "Yonder comes our host to call you to account." "Then I must abide him as I may," answered Tristram. Soon the knight came up, and, loudly bidding Tristram to be on his guard, he rode furiously upon him with couched spear. But his valor went beyond his strength, for he was hurled over his horse's croup. Not content with this, he rose, mounted again, and driving his horse at full speed upon Tristram, struck him two hard blows on the helm. "Sir knight," said Tristram, "I pray you leave off this sport. I do not care to harm you after having just eaten at your table, but beg you not to try my patience too far." The furious assailant would not cease, however, and continued his assaults until Tristram was provoked to anger. In the end he returned the knight a blow with the full strength of his mighty arm, so fierce a buffet, indeed, that the blood burst out from the breathing holes of his helm, and he fell to the earth and lay there like one dead. "I hope I have not killed him," said Tristram. "I did not think to strike the man so hard a blow, but I am not a log to stand at rest and let him whet his sword on." Leaving the fallen knight to the care of his squire, they rode on; but not far had they gone when they saw coming towards them two well-armed and well-horsed knights, each with a good following of servants. One of these was Berrant le Apres, he who was called the king with the hundred knights, and the other Sir Segwarides, both men of might and renown. When they came up the king looked at Dinadan, who, through sport, had put on Tristram's helmet. This he recognized as one he had seen before with the queen of Northgalis, whom he loved. She had given it to La Belle Isolde, and she to Tristram. "Sir knight," asked Berrant, "whence had you that helm?" "Not from you, I fancy. What have you to say to it?" "That I will have a tilt with you, for the love of her who once owned it. Therefore, defend yourself." So they drew asunder, and rode at each other with all the speed of their horses. But Dinadan, good knight as he was, was no match for the tough and hardy warrior before him, and was sent, horse and all, to the ground. "I fancy I have something to say about the helmet now," said Berrant, grimly. "Go take it off him, and keep it," he ordered his servant. "What will you do?" cried Tristram. "Hands off, fellow. Touch not that helm." "To what intent do you meddle, sir knight?" demanded Berrant. "To this intent, that the helm is mine. Nor will you get it from me till you buy it at a dearer price." "Do you mean that as a challenge?" asked Berrant. "Be it so, then; make ready." Together they rode with all speed, but with a change of fortune, for Berrant found himself thrust over the tail of his horse. In a moment he was on his feet, sprang briskly to his saddle, and, riding in anger upon Tristram, struck at him fiercely with his sword. Tristram was not taken unawares, but in an instant had his sword in hand. A fierce combat followed, for the king with the hundred knights was a warrior of tough sinews and tried valor, but at the last he received such a buffet on the helm that he fell forward on his horse's neck, stunned and helpless. "By my faith, that helmet has proved unlucky for two of us," said Dinadan. "It brought me a tumble, and now, sir king, you owe it a buzzing head-piece." "Who will joust with me?" asked Segwarides. "It is your right," said Gareth to Dinadan, "but I pray you let me have it." "You are heartily welcome to it. One tumble a day is enough for my weak appetite," answered Dinadan. "I make you a free present of the opportunity." "That is no fair exchange," said Tristram. "The joust is yours by right." "But not by choice," rejoined Dinadan. "Good faith, sir bruiser, I have lived long enough to know when I have had my share, and that is a lesson it would pay many of you battle-hungry knights to learn." Then Gareth and Segwarides rode together, the result being that Gareth and his horse went in a heap to the earth. "Now," said Tristram, "the joust is yours." "But the appetite is lacking," said Dinadan. "I have even less stomach for it than before." "Then will I try him." With these words Tristram challenged Segwarides, who received a sore fall in the joust that followed. Then the three knights rode on, leaving their late antagonists the worse in heart and limb for the encounter. They continued their ride till they reached Joyous Gard. Here Gareth courteously declined to enter the castle, but Tristram would not hear of his departure, and made him alight and enter as his guest. So they disarmed and had good cheer, with La Belle Isolde as their hostess. But Dinadan, when he came into the presence of Isolde, roundly cursed the hour that he had been persuaded to wear Tristram's helm, and told her of how he had been mocked by his comrade knight. Much laughing and jesting at Dinadan followed, but this was a game in which he was quite able to hold his own, however he might lack with sword and spear. For Arthur's court held no other so witty of tongue and merry of heart. And thus in jest and feast they passed the hours happily away. _ |
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