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Chapter XIII
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“Thisshallnotendso,”criedSirMadordelaPort;“nowhaveIlostanobleknightofmyownblood,andforthisdespiteandshameIwillberevengedtotheuttermost.”
ThenhechallengedQueenGuinevereconcerningthedeathofhiscousin,butshestoodstill,soreabashed,andanonwithhersorrowanddread,sheswooned.
AtthenoiseandsuddencrycameinKingArthur,andtohimappealedSirMador,andimpeachedthequeen.
“Fairlords,”saidhe,“fullsorelyamItroubledatthismatter,forImustberightfuljudge,andthereinitrepentethmeImaynotdobattleformywife,for,asIdeem,thisdeedwasnoneofhers.ButIsupposeshewillnotlackachampion,andsomegoodknightsurelywillputhisbodyinjeopardytosaveher.”
Butallwhohadbeenbiddentothebanquetsaidtheycouldnotholdthequeenexcused,orbeherchampions,forshehadmadethefeast,andeitherbyherselforservantsmustithavecome.
“Alas!”saidthequeen,“Imadethisdinnerforagoodintent,andnoevil,soGodhelpmeinmyneed.”
“Mylordtheking,”saidSirMador,“IrequireyouheartilyasyoubearighteouskinggivemeadaywhenImayhavejustice.”
“Well,”saidtheking,“Igiveyethisdayfifteendays,whenyeshallbereadyandarmedinthemeadowbesideWestminster,andiftherebeaknighttofightwithyou,Godspeedtheright,andifnot,thenmustmyqueenbeburnt.”
Whenthekingandqueenwerealonetogetherheaskedherhowthiscasebefell.
“Iwotnothoworinwhatmanner,”answeredshe.
