Then said Arthur, "Oh! chieftain, I have never heard of the maiden of
whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will gladly send
messengers in search of her. Give me time to seek her." And the
youth said, "I will willingly grant from this night to that at the
end of the year to do so." Then Arthur sent messengers to every land
within his dominions to seek for the maiden; and at the end of the
year Arthur's messengers returned without having gained any knowledge
or intelligence concerning Olwen more than on the first day. Then
said Kilhwch, "Every one has received his boon, and I yet lack mine.
I will depart and bear away thy honour with me." Then said Kai,
"Rash chieftain! dost thou reproach Arthur? Go with us, and we will
not part until thou dost either confess that the maiden exists not in
the world, or until we obtain her." Thereupon Kai rose up. Kai had
this peculiarity, that his breath lasted nine nights and nine days
under water, and he could exist nine nights and nine days without
sleep. A wound from Kai's sword no physician could heal. Very
subtle was Kai. When it pleased him he could render himself as tall
as the highest tree in the forest. And he had another peculiarity,--
so great was the heat of his nature, that, when it rained hardest,
whatever he carried remained dry for a handbreadth above and a
handbreadth below his hand; and when his companions were coldest, it
was to them as fuel with which to light their fire.

And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any enterprise upon
which Kai was bound. None was equal to him in swiftness throughout
this island except Arthur and Drych Ail Kibddar. And although he was
one-handed, three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the
field of battle. Another property he had; his lance would produce a
wound equal to those of nine opposing lances.