CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
In Normandy
Of the travels of Sir Galahad, of how he journeyed through many landsand new scenes, there is much to be told. Ever with him, went hisfaithful man, Walker, who served him well and loyally.
Eager was the young knight to reach Normandy of which he had heardmuch. So he sailed away and since many rumors held the Grail to bethere he hoped to find it.
In Normandy, a strange land, he met with much adventure, many knightsbrave and true, and some who were not. But no sign of the Grail wasthere to be had.
On his white horse, the Seeker, he made his way southward, findinglodging where he could.
It was so, in the first month of his travels, that he came to thecastle of one of the best of Normandy's knights. Of him, Sir Launcelothad spoken highly; he held him in great esteem, and so had counseledthe youthful knight to make it his purpose to visit him when there.
Sir Guilbert gave him friendly greeting. Many had been his visits toEngland, well he knew Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and the greatKing himself. Sir Galahad found his stay a pleasant one; there werefriendly jousts in which he met some of Normandy's worshipful knights.In all of these he was victor.
Sir Guilbert had full praise for the young knight. There was son ofhis, a youth of seventeen, who also admired the newcomer, even asAllan the boy had admired Sir Launcelot. When his visitor's stay wasdrawing to a close, Sir Guilbert spoke of this.
"My son Charles, Sir Galahad, has taken great fancy to you and wishfulam I that you could find it in your plans to take him as page. He is aquiet lad, sturdy and obedient, you will find. And following wish ofhis mother, he knows your English tongue well, for she is Englishborn.He has made study of Latin too, it seemed for a time that he wouldturn to priesthood. But that will not be, and I cannot say that itfinds me regretful. I would have him a true knight, had I my way."
"Your wish, Sir Guilbert, may well be served. But if I may, I shouldlike first to speak to the lad, before I make answer."
"Faith, and you may. For we should want the lad to satisfy you andmerit your friendship. I shall see to it that you have the chance tospeak with him. It were better, that he know not the reason for yourquestioning. Is it not so?"
"It would be best, Sir Guilbert," Sir Galahad replied.
Then the two talked of other things and the young knight questionedhis friend as to the likely whereabouts of the Holy Grail.
"Many rumors have I heard, Sir Galahad. But never actual trace.Understand you well, my friend. Knights from every land seek thisGrail and I would wish that it were Norman who found it. But if itcannot be one from my own land, I would it were one from your country.I fear me, it shall not be easy search, it may lead you far."
"I am well prepared for that," replied the Seeker. "If it were easy tofind, the glory would be so much the less. I can but hope that I shallhave the vision to see it when it is near me."
"I wish you well," Sir Guilbert made answer. "Now let us repair to thedining hall for the meal waits."
It was after they had eaten that Sir Galahad found the opportunity tohold speech with the youth, Charles.
He found the lad to be all that his father had said of him.
"What have you wish for, Charles?" he said.
"I should like to journey far and to many places," the boy replied."There is much to see and I envy the many who have traveled to foreignlands."
"How then, if you could, would you travel?"
"As a true Norman knight serving God and the Church against allinfidels."
"Well spoken, lad. But it needs many years and one must learn much tobe a good knight. It is not easy work."
"I know that, Sir Galahad. But I shall not count the years for I amstill young."
More questions the knight asked the lad and he made eager thoughrespectful answer. It was apparent that he had thought of it for manya day. But Sir Galahad said never a word to him of the reason for hisquestions and left the lad without knowledge of his purpose.
But the next day he spoke to Sir Guilbert and gave him answer.
"I should like the youth as my page. He is the kind I could well use.And I promise you that he shall come back to you so that neither younor his mother shall have reason to be other than proud of him. Hewill be of great help to me when I reach Rome for I purpose to journeythere, I know naught of the tongue."
"Have you told the lad, as yet?" the father asked.
"I thought it best that either you or your lady speak first with himand then will I."
"That is a gracious deed on your part, my knight. And if it bearsfruit or not, I shall indeed be in your debt."
"Not so, Sir Guilbert. For the boy will but have such chance as I wasgiven by Sir Percival when I was even younger than he."
In the Court of King Arthur Page 24
