CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Knight of the Red Lawns


Events followed swiftly thereafter for their journey toward the castle
of the Dame Lyoness was not made on easy road. Yet through all these,
good fortune stayed with them and so at least they were within a day's
journey of their destination.

Word had come to the Red Knight of the Red Lawns of the coming of Sir
Gareth. Word too had come to him of the brave deeds of this knight and
his two companions. Yet did the Red Knight find naught in it all but
cause for great merriment.

"Truly will their courage ooze from them when they behold those many
knights hanging from yonder oaks, knights who thought to battle with
me and so rescue the Dame Lyoness. Nor did I blame them overmuch, for
it is well worth hanging for, perchance to win a smile from so fair a
lady. Would that I could be so fortunate."

So said the Red Knight and sighed. No crueler knight there was in all
of Christendom yet was he gentle minded in his love for his fair lady.
And though he would not free her of his presence and though he held
her closely besieged within the castle, yet had he no desire that harm
should come to her.

Now he again made his way to her castle wall where his herald did blow