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Chapter VI
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SothenextdayKingPellinoredepartedforCamelot,andtooktheladywithhim;andastheyrodeinavalleyfullofroughstones,thedamsel’shorsestumbledandthrewher,sothatherarmsweresorelybruisedandhurt.Andastheyrestedintheforestforthepaintolessen,nightcameon,andtheretheywerecompelledtomaketheirlodging.Alittlebeforemidnighttheyheardthetrottingofahorse.“Beyestill,”saidKingPellinore,“fornowwemayhearofsomeadventure,”andtherewithhearmedhim.Thenheheardtwoknightsmeetandsaluteeachother,inthedark;oneridingfromCamelot,theotherfromthenorth.
“WhattidingsatCamelot?”saidone.
“Bymyhead,”saidtheother,“Ihavebutjustleftthere,andhaveespiedKingArthur’scourt,andsuchafellowshipisthereasnevermaybebrokeorovercome;forwellnighallthechivalryoftheworldisthere,andallfullloyaltotheking,andnowIridebackhomewardstothenorthtotellourchiefs,thattheywastenottheirstrengthinwarsagainsthim.”
“Asforallthat,”repliedtheotherknight,“Iambutnowfromthenorth,andbearwithmearemedy,thedeadliestpoisonthateverwasheardtellof,andtoCamelotwillIwithit;fortherewehaveafriendclosetotheking,andgreatlycherishedofhim,whohathreceivedgiftsfromustopoisonhim,ashehathpromisedsoontodo.”
“Beware,”saidthefirstknight,“ofMerlin,forheknowethallthings,bythedevil’scraft.”
“Iwillnotfearforthat,”repliedtheother,andsorodeonhisway.
