friendly greetings and finding out the purpose of their journey
pretended not to know the whereabouts of Sir Tristram. Nor would they
stay for any length of time giving as reason therefore great need of
urgency on their part. Yet when these two knights had but gone a
little way they turned, in great haste along another road. The end of
the day found them in the presence of King Mark of Cornwall who had no
great love for King Arthur nor for any of his knights and who would do
any or all of them great harm could he do so without discovery.

"Who then is this party?" inquired the King after listening.

"They number but few," replied one of the knights. "Sir Launcelot, Sir
Percival, Sir Neil, and one other, and that fool who is jester to
Arthur. A boy is there too and fifteen men-at-arms."

"You speak truly," replied the king, "as to their being few in number
but I would that two of these few, were not Launcelot and Percival.
Yet even with these two we should be able to overcome them. And in
that way I shall find some recompense for the many slights and haughty
overbearingness of Arthur and his men." As he so spoke, King Mark's
face plainly showed its cruelty and craft.

"Will you, good Bruyan, call Sir Bertram and Sir Pendore to me? And be
sure to return for we must be speedy should we decide that it is wise
for us to take any step for their discomforture."

Now as Bruyan returned with the two aforementioned, there also came
into the room a yeoman who served Sir Pendore. But of him neither the
king nor any of the knights took notice but instead immediately began
discussion as to the wisdom of waylaying these knights of King Arthur