CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The Beginning of the Quest
A week and a day Sir Galahad stayed at the court. Nor was he theremany hours before he found that Yosalinde was not home as yet butwould be within the month. Yet he would not stay, for after long andserious converse with both Merlin and Sir Launcelot, he followed thegreat urge to go forward. For he felt the call now greater, moreinsistent. Yet did he somewhat fret since this urge, this call seemedto lead him nowhere, seemed only to beckon that he go.
"Fret not, lad, perhaps many a year shall you wander before you findthe Grail. Many places shall you go. Yet let not your way ever beimpatient." So spoke the Wizard.
"I go to Normandy soon, Merlin."
"You shall find me there," now spoke Sir Launcelot, "for I too gohither to seek adventure. I pray that we meet, Galahad and thattogether we have many eventful days. Though full well do I know yourway in great part, must be alone."
"That it must be," Merlin advised.
And so the next day and the next he stayed. From everyone andeverywhere great favor was his. King Arthur, too, held much conversewith him and he remembered the first days the lad had come to courtand how he had ordered the herald to send him forth for Sir Launcelotand Gawaine.
But the day came at last when he and Walker adventured forth. And thenew knight carried no shield for one was awaiting him, a shield thatcarried a great cross to signify his seeking. This he was to find atthe convent near Carboneck. So Merlin had advised him.
Two days of journey passed without ontoward event but on the third daythere came to him a yeoman in great woe.
"What grieves you, friend?" asked Walker while Sir Galahad waited.
"Great are my troubles for my master will surely flay me until I die.I was bringing him his best horse from the castle when a knightstopped me. Though I told him that the horse was my master's and howmuch store he set by it yet did he take the same from me. When Iprotested as best I might, he brought his sword upon me and it wasfortune that I was not slain."
"Know you the knight?" asked Sir Galahad kindly.
"Nay, Sir, except that he told me he needed the horse at Calomet."
"I shall go hither. It is but a short journey and you may come withme. For it does not seem a knightly act, this taking of your master'shorse and it needs explaining."
"I thank you master. For little value though my life may be, I valueit nevertheless," replied the yeoman.
So they went on to Calomet. And when they arrived there the yeomanmost fortunately espied his master's horse.
"Yonder, Sir Knight, is the horse," and he pointed excitedly.
There stood a white horse, truly a beast well worth owning. Abeautiful head, a great body that showed strength and grace, set wellon strong, shapely limbs. A head which its owner held rightfearlessly, yet the eyes of the beast were soft and kindly andindicated that he could be ridden by child or woman.
"A good beast and well worth fighting for, if need be," said Walker.
"Yet more worthy the fight, if there is need of one, the fact thatthis knight we are to meet is so unfair," replied Sir Galahad.
So now they came to the house. Walker and the yeoman dismounted andwent up to the horse, which had been tied but temporarily and wasawaiting its rider.
And as they stood there, there came from within the house a knight whohad espied them.
"What wish you, knaves?" he asked, scowling.
"It is my master who wishes your presence," replied Walker.
"He shall have his wish satisfied," the knight made reply, turning toGalahad, who was a little further away.
"Do you wish word with me, Sir Knight?" he asked.
"I seek him who claims to be the owner of this horse," replied SirGalahad.
"Then you have found him for he is no other than I," was the answer.
"Yet how can he be yours, Sir Knight, if this yeoman claims it is hismaster's horse?" Sir Galahad questioned.
"I have made you answer to question that should concern you butlittle. What ado wish you to make of it?"
"Only that the horse goes to this yeoman so that he can bring him tohis rightful owner."
The other laughed aloud.
"I wot, strange knight, I wonder well how you can do this thing when Iam here to say you nay. And when my sword is even more severe inkeeping you from boastful attempt."
And then without further parley the knight brought his sword to play.But sorry adventure this for him and Sir Galahad though still withoutshield brought him right quickly to earth. A sorry match was he forthe young knight, so ill matched that Walker smiled in glee at hisefforts.
The knight now held his peace as Sir Galahad told the yeoman to takehis master's horse and go hence. But he scowled and as Sir Galahadturned to go he bespoke him.
"Sir Knight, I shall not forget your meddling in what was of noconcern to you. And the day may come when you will regret this deed."
Sir Galahad In The Forest]
"True, Sir Knight," replied Sir Galahad. "I shall have need to makeassurance that my horse is secured so that he may not be stolen." Andlaughing and full at ease he left the beaten knight to his surlythoughts.
Yet as he went the strange yeoman followed him. So that Sir Galahadturned to him somewhat in amaze.
"I thought that your way was opposite."
"My way, Sir Knight, goes only to yonder turn. Yet before I leave Imake you gift of this horse. He is yours. That was not a true tale asto who owned this horse. For its true owner is none other than you andmy story such as to test you and find answer to whether you would helpthose who are in trouble, though the trouble owner be lowly born. Thehorse is sent by friend of yours whose name is not to be related. Iwish you well, Sir Knight."
Much overcome was Sir Galahad at the princely gift, for the horse hadimpressed him much.
"Tell you this unknown friend of mine, that I value this gift asnaught else. Tell you too, that I name him the Seeker, in full honorof my quest."
So then the strange yeoman departed whilst the knight and his faithfulman went on their way.