"I seek speech with him who is Duke of Gascony. I bring him a message from Arthur, King of England." So spoke Merlin as he stood at the entrance of the great and splendid castle of the ruler of Gascony.
By his side were the two knights, Galahad and Launcelot. The page Charles stood close by and somewhat behind them were the two squires, Walker and Gouvernail.
"From England's king?" the Gascon knight questioned. And made as if he would further satisfy his curiosity. But changed his mind.
"I pray you wait, good sir, until I tell my lord, your message." So then he went within the great hall.
"A rash adventure, say I," and Merlin shook his head dolefully.
"You were ever a croaker, good Merlin," replied Sir Launcelot. "See not the thing so dolefully, I pray you."
"And think of the worth of what we accomplish," added Sir Galahad. "Here now comes the Gascon with his answer, I see. Let us listen to what he says."
"We bid you welcome to Gascony and pray you to come within. My master sends his greetings and awaits you."
They followed then their guide and so came within the great hall of state where Sir Dolphus awaited them.
"Come you from England?" he asked.
"That we do," replied Merlin, "and carry a message for the Duke."
"There is no Duke of Gascony. He is dead. But I, by the will of all the nobles of the land, rule in place. If you have message from England's king honor is mine to receive it."
"That message will I deliver right gladly. My king has long desired to come to Gascony and to other countries in France. So has he sent me forth to find first, how welcome will his visit be, second, as you may well understand, that such country as may come within his plans may worthy be his presence. For England's king must hold his honor and his presence at their royal worth.
"So come I to this brave land the which my king has heard well spoken and which he holds in high esteem. I find it sad news that he who reigned is dead, yet Gascony cannot suffer if you, most worshipful sir, rule instead."
Now did the crafty Dolphus find himself quick to see the worth to him of such a visit from the great king of England who was held in high esteem everywhere. If Arthur were to visit him then could none question his pretense to the throne. Too, were such visit soon, there would be need for him to be declared Duke of Gascony at once, so that Arthur could be met in royal state.
"Gascony, good sir, would welcome your king. And count it honor to receive him with all the honors due so great a name. When does your master plan to come?"
"Shortly, sir, after I make my return to England and make report. For he hopes also to visit Rome and pay homage to His Holiness, the Pope."
When he heard this, Sir Dolphus urged the emissaries of England's king to tarry awhile in Gascony.
"So that, kind sirs, you find our friendship for your master, such as may befit his visit to us. Greatly do we desire him to come and we would wish your report to be a kindly one. So find you welcome here. We shall eat, drink and be merry."
So the party made itself at home. Sir Dolphus soon took great fancy to Sir Launcelot who proved a merry soul and the two spent many hours together.
"I would count it fortunate, Sir Launcelot, were you knight of this court. For I need friends such as you."
"Rather, I fancy, is the need otherwise. For the Duke of Gascony's friendship is no small thing and many there are who would hold it high honor. Of friends, you should have many." So the knight made flattering answer.
"Aye, but you know not. There are those who would believe that the dead duke lives and who though silent, yet are sullen over my rightful claim to take his place. And I find the Church of little help to me. Though I have offered it many gifts, and promised it great riches, yet will it oppose my will."
"Does the Church object to you as Duke?" Sir Launcelot questioned. "I see not why."
"Nay, 'tis not as Duke but in other matters."
Caution seemed to overcome Sir Dolphus for many minutes. But he had great desire to confide in this friendly knight whose good will he wished.
"Art thou married, Sir Launcelot?" he asked.
"A strange question, my friend. Yet do I find my happiness in the single blessedness which is at present mine."
"Yet is marriage a most convenient thing sometime. 'Twould be for me at present."
"Say you, 'twould be? Yet, if I mistake not, have I heard that that blessed state is already yours. Though no sign have I seen as yet, of the Lady Dolphus.
"Aye, friend, married am I, worse the pity. And when I ask the Church to annul this unhappy state, and give it many gifts, still does it turn stubborn over such a little thing."
"What harm therein, my friend? Since that the lady is not with you?" Friendly was Sir Launcelot's tone and right sympathetic.
"Aye, there I come back to what I have said--about marriage being most convenient at times. For would they annul the marriage I could then marry again, one who owns vast estate. And that would make me all powerful in Gascony."
Such laughter as shook the frame of Sir Launcelot. Nor was it unkindly.
"A great rogue you," he spoke pleasantly. "Off with the old and on with the new. Is it not so? And I fancy the new is also right young or I am greatly mistaken? Eh?"
Great was Sir Launcelot's hilarity. Nor did the other take offense thereat.
"I care little as to her youth or not. But I do care for the estate that goes with her," replied Sir Dolphus.
"She must like you greatly, to be willing?"
"Hardly could I say, she's that. But that would be small matter if I could but get the Church to sanction the deed. Yet have I hope that if I could get your king's goodwill, he could persuade the Pope on his visit to Rome. And there, good friend, you could help me greatly and well would I repay such kindness."
Not once did Sir Launcelot permit the hot temper within him to be unloosed. Played he so well with the wicked knight that it was but a few days thereafter Sir Dolphus invited him to visit with him the young damsel who was kept within prison walls. Never once did the knight demur or permit the other to think that he did not sympathize and agree with his plans.
As they walked away from the prison door, he turned to the other. "Strange that she should be all alone. Has she no one who would make you trouble?"
"Her father went forth with the Duke and others among us to the land of the infidels. On our way back, in Lombardy, our small force was overcome by disaster. But three of us escaped, I know not what happened to the others. Then it was, I decided to possess the land of the Sanscourt and told the Lady Jeanne that her husband wished and commanded that her daughter Helene marry me. But she would have none of this. So that I had to steal the damsel. And when her brother came here to rescue her, we overcame the helpless youth. He would not have lived had I my way, but the others would not permit that and so we have him safely lodged in the dungeon below and I fancy he will not abuse our hospitality for long."
That night Sir Launcelot spoke to the others and told what he had heard. Great was his rage, which he had curbed so well when in the presence of the other.
"I would," Merlin spoke in great gloom, "that we were well out of this."
"We can be well out of it when the youth and girl are also safely out," Sir Galahad replied and there was a stern look in his eye. "Tomorrow we shall find the dungeon place. Then will we act quickly. But also we must see to it that this false knight receives his just deserts. Is it not so, Launcelot?"
"Tomorrow, it shall be," the other replied. "And I myself, shall deal with this Sir Dolphus, for I have had to listen to his foulness without demur."
So they planned. And the next day, Sir Galahad professed a great desire to see the whole of the castle. And so was shown in due course the great dungeon and saw there, the weak and spent lad, Ambrose.
That night, Sir Dolphus and Sir Launcelot went by themselves to the chamber of the former to make merry. And there, Sir Dolphus who counted the other's sympathy as beyond doubt, told more of his knavish plots. Until the listener sick with listening turned to him in the quiet and secrecy of the great chamber and said in stern tones.
"Sir Dolphus, I would advise you to pray now. For you die in three minutes!"
Nor did the other mistake the voice, the tone. Nor even make pretense to misunderstand. Instead he made as if to raise a great shout. But found the other's mighty hand closed over his foul mouth so that his call for aid was unuttered. And the hand remained there--even as the owner forced him to his knees with no great effort.
"Pray, if you will. Your time is almost gone."
But the wretch groaned and squirmed and tried to escape the hold that held viselike over him.
It was five minutes later that Sir Launcelot left the room. There was a grim, fixed look on his face that few had ever seen before.
He joined the others. And then while [he] and Gouvernail went to the prison chamber of the damsel, Helene, and rescued her with little effort, Sir Galahad went down to the dungeon door and there overcame the guard with ease and opened the door wide with the keys obtained. And Walker carried the weak lad to the entrance door and so they joined the others.
So then Sir Galahad and Sir Launcelot with the two squires went for and obtained their horses, without suspicion. With the two they had rescued, the whole party rode forth from the castle. And but for the outcry of the guards at the gate which they forced them to open wide, they had no one to cope with.
Forth they road swiftly, Merlin carrying the young girl and Charles supporting the boy, leaving the others free to ride behind and meet such pursuers as might come.
But none pursued.
"I think they will find a task on hand to care for the other prisoners the open dungeon door unloosed," Sir Galahad said.
"And with the wonder over Sir Dolphus," Sir Launcelot added and his look was far away.
A day later found them at the castle of Sanscourt. Happy was my Lady Jeanne over the return of her dear children and grateful, too. It did not take long for them to prepare to go forth to England with Sir Launcelot and Merlin.
So they bade each the other goodbye. And as they went forth, Sir Galahad watching them go, said to the Lady Jeanne,
"Still hope, my lady. For I shall bring or send you word of Sir Vilard, good or bad."
"I shall never cease to hope, Sir Galahad. And I shall pray for you, each day until you return."
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