CHAPTER FOURTEEN
King Mark's Foul Plan
Sir Neil and Sir Dagonet now loudly summoned the castle servantsbefore them but there were none to answer. So they preparedkitchenward where they found the wretches in great affright notknowing what dire fate was to befall them. Yet they, when assured thatnaught was intended against them, eagerly hastened to obey thecommands of the good knights to prepare a sumptuous meal.
Sir Launcelot, Sir Percival and the other knights made, their way tothe dungeon. And truly they found a sad sight there. Though a largeplace, yet was it overly crowded. In one place they found six knights,an unhappy six, three of whom had been imprisoned for many months, twohad been made captives within the fortnight and one had joined thisjoyless group but two days before.
"Aye," one of the first three explained to them, "it is through God'smercy that we still live. There were three others with us, two of whomwere already here when this dire misfortune befell us and one who camesome weeks later. These three could not survive the foulness of thishole."
But now Sir Percival was seen to speak to the lone knight, the one whohad been made prisoner last of all. A melancholy figure, he did notseem to realize that release had come with the advent of theseknights. In fact, through all the hubbub he seemed to have been lostwithin himself. No doubt, they were bitter thoughts that possessed himand at such times one is verily unmindful of things about him. Nor didthis knight seem mindful of the words spoken by Sir Percival for hemade no answer and lost none of his brooding air.
Yet, of a sudden, he seemed to awaken. For Sir Percival who had notbeen able to place him at first, had at last realized who the strangerwas.
"Who are you?" the other questioned in turn rubbing his eyes. "Andthese other knights? But then, I know you all. How came you here, SirPercival?"
When he was told, some of his dejection left him.
"Mine was truly a great unhappiness. These four robber knights didbeset me. And when I was overcome they demanded great ransom which Ihad no means wherewith to satisfy. Then, when I heard the tale of howlong these fellow prisoners had been here I was greatly discouraged asto carrying out my intent to prove to King Arthur my worthiness forknighthood."
In the meanwhile, Sir Launcelot and Allan had made their way to wherethe imprisoned yeomen and hinds had been kept. Here there were morethan fifty and a sad sight they were. It brought a great gulp of pityinto Allan's throat and unbidden tears came to his eyes. Sir Launcelottoo was moved. Some of the prisoners were so weak they could hardlymove. Wonkin had found his brother almost at once and theirs was ahappy meeting.
"Go you up, good Allan, and order that food be brought for thesewretches. And see to it that there is plenty of it."
Allan gladly went and repeated Sir Launcelot's orders which theservants made great haste to obey.
So that all within the castle, fared well that day. And when SirLauncelot and his party were ready to continue their journey the nextmorning, there was with them Breunor le Noire and an added number ofyeomen picked from the men who had been prisoners.
Just before departure, Sir Percival went to the two brothers of SirManstor who still were living, the other had not lived an hour.
"Sir Knights, we leave you now. Take you heed from this day'shappenings that such outlawry as yours brings just punishment.Remember, too, that King Arthur and all his knights will be everwatchful that you conduct yourself in knightly ways. Woe betide you,if you do not."
The knights made no reply. Grievously wounded, with their brothersdead, they were in no mood for words. Yet must the truth of SirPercival's words have been in their minds.
Onward now went Sir Launcelot's party. Through that and the next daythey made their way and were well in Cornwall without further untowardhappening. Everywhere, the party made inquiries as to the whereaboutsof Sir Tristram and from such news as they were able to gather theyfelt assured that they had taken the right way and that King Arthurand the men with him were on a false trail.
It was on this day that they met with two knights who made themfriendly greetings and finding out the purpose of their journeypretended not to know the whereabouts of Sir Tristram. Nor would theystay for any length of time giving as reason therefore great need ofurgency on their part. Yet when these two knights had but gone alittle way they turned, in great haste along another road. The end ofthe day found them in the presence of King Mark of Cornwall who had nogreat love for King Arthur nor for any of his knights and who would doany or all of them great harm could he do so without discovery.
"Who then is this party?" inquired the King after listening.
"They number but few," replied one of the knights. "Sir Launcelot, SirPercival, Sir Neil, and one other, and that fool who is jester toArthur. A boy is there too and fifteen men-at-arms."
"You speak truly," replied the king, "as to their being few in numberbut I would that two of these few, were not Launcelot and Percival.Yet even with these two we should be able to overcome them. And inthat way I shall find some recompense for the many slights and haughtyoverbearingness of Arthur and his men." As he so spoke, King Mark'sface plainly showed its cruelty and craft.
"Will you, good Bruyan, call Sir Bertram and Sir Pendore to me? And besure to return for we must be speedy should we decide that it is wisefor us to take any step for their discomforture."
Now as Bruyan returned with the two aforementioned, there also cameinto the room a yeoman who served Sir Pendore. But of him neither theking nor any of the knights took notice but instead immediately begandiscussion as to the wisdom of waylaying these knights of King Arthurwho were now in Cornwall.
Whether King Mark knew this to be so or not, yet of all his court,there were no two who had more reason to hate Sir Launcelot than SirBertram and Sir Pendore. For Sir Launcelot had come upon them oncewhen they were in the midst of tormenting two holy men having firsttaken from them a paltry purse which these two monks were carrying forworthy purpose. Then when Sir Launcelot had asked that they desist andreturn the holy men's purse they had replied with foul tongue and hadmade for him. Soon, however, they found that this single knight wasmaster of them both and would they then have complied with hisrequests. However, Sir Launcelot who was ever slow to anger was now ingreat rage and he had taken them to the castle grounds of Sir Gawaineand there, before a large number he told of what had happened. Andwhile fair ladies laughed at them and while men looked at them as theywould at hinds, Sir Launcelot had taken the flat of his sword and hadbrought it down on both. Then he had asked two yeomen to club themfrom the castle grounds since they were unfit to be in the company ofknights. This the yeomen had done right lustily.
Neither Sir Pendore nor Sir Bertram had ever made mention of thisevent. But there was no one in all of Britain whom they so fully hatedas Sir Launcelot. Now, there seemed likely chance for revenge.
"How many men can you muster?" asked Sir Bertram, speaking not overanxiously yet with meaning looked at Sir Pendore.
"Seven score or more" replied the king of Cornwall.
"I would have more," replied Sir Pendore. "What with Percival andLauncelot and this Neil whom I know not, one must make it more thancertain."
It was at this point that the yeoman who was busily at work over theweapons, cleaning them and putting them into perfect condition, asnone other in Cornwall could do, had become interested. Sir Percival?
It was this Sir Percival, knight of the Round Table, who had saved thefather of this yeoman from the deadly mace of one of his men in one ofmany melees. It was but a small thing to the knight, long forgotten nodoubt, but to Walker, the son of the man who was saved, it meant thathe was in debt to this knight. So now he listened, interested. Thentoo, he had no great love for his master who was never kindly and hehad decided long ago that he would find a new master when theopportunity offered.
"I shall find more men, if I can," Mark offered in reply to SirPendore's suggestion. Nor did it seem strange to him that the knightshould think that odds of seven to one were not enough.
"Where are these knights?" asked Sir Bertram.
Sir Bruyan told him, the yeoman listening all the while.
"Let us then be off within thrice this hour," Mark concluded. "Getyou as many men ready as you can," he said to Sir Bertram and to SirPendore who were his chiefs.
Walker, the yeoman, soon had completed his work. Thereupon he made hisway into the forest to find him, who was best friend of his, to getadvice as to what to do.
He, whom he sought, was none other than our old friend Gouvernail,who, of course, was not far from Sir Tristram, his master.
Though he had long since severed fealty to King Mark, Sir Tristram hadreturned near unto the court because of the love he bore one of thedamsels who was in it. It was Walker who had carried the messagesGouvernail had brought from his master to this same lady.
Walker soon came to the hiding place of his friend.
"What ho?" asked Gouvernail. "What brings you here at this unseemlyhour?"
"I need your advice," replied Walker. "My poor head carries too greata muddle."
"You come to one who can offer but poor solace there," repliedGouvernail. "If it were trusty arm, good club or something belike, youcould well come to me. But speak, what troubles you?"
So Walker told him. Except that at first he made no mention of names.
"Keep you from it," advised Gouvernail. "It is the business of yourbetters and not of your meddling."
"Yet had Sir Percival done this thing for my father, and if he would,he could have thought the same,--that it was not his affair but anaffair of hind or yeoman."
"Is this Percival, he who is of King Arthur's court?" askedGouvernail.
"Aye," replied Walker, nodding his head. "Do you know him?"
"Somewhat. Who else is there?" he further questioned, now interested.
"Sir Launcelot, Sir Neil and some others."
"Did they speak of a boy being there?"
"I do not remember. Yet I seem to recall that they did," repliedWalker.
"I will help you. Come," and Gouvernail took his friend but a littleway to where Sir Tristram was lodging.
Sir Tristram seated himself and listened to the two. He understood atonce.
"When did King Mark say that he would start with his men?" he askedWalker.
"In three hours, Sir Knight," the man answered.
"Good. Let us be off. Good Gouvernail, get you my mail ready for Iwould don it."
Within the half hour Sir Tristram with the two yeomen were on theirway to meet Sir Percival and Sir Launcelot. So, strangely, they whosought him, were to find him come among them.
In the Court of King Arthur Page 14
