Read Online The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck - Free Book Online Page B

“but under knightly rules I must if you insist on it.” And he asked, “Where do you come from, young sir?”
    â€œI am a knight of King Arthur’s court,” Gryfflet said, “and I demand the joust.”
    Then, reluctantly, the knight mounted and took his place, and the two couched their spears and ran together. On the impact Sir Gryfflet’s spear shattered but the strong knight’s spear drove through shield and armor and pierced Gryfflet’s left side and then broke off, leaving the truncheon in his body. And Sir Gryfflet fell to the ground.
    The knight looked sadly at the fallen young man, and he went to him and unlaced his helm and saw that he was badly wounded, and he pitied him. He lifted Gryfflet in his arms and placed him on his horse and he prayed to God for the young man. “He has a mighty heart,” the knight said. “And if his life can be saved he will one day prove himself.” Then he started the horse back the way he had come. The horse carried the bleeding Gryfflet to the court and there was great sorrow for him. They cleaned his wound and cared for him and it was a long time before his life came back to him.
    While Arthur was sad and troubled at Sir Gryfflet’s wound, twelve aged knights rode to his court. They were messengers, they said, from the Emperor of Rome. They demanded tribute in the name of the emperor and said that if it were not paid Arthur and all his kingdom would be destroyed.
    Then Arthur raged and he said, “If you did not have the safe conduct of messengers I would kill you now. But I respect your immunity. Take this answer back. I owe no tribute to the emperor, but if he demands it I shall give him his tribute with spears and swords. By my father’s soul I swear this. Take this message back with you.”
    The messengers departed angrily. They had arrived at an evil time.
    The king was angry and vengeful because Sir Gryfflet was hurt. He felt that he was responsible, for if he had taken advice and refused the knighthood, Gryfflet would not have challenged the knight of the fountain. Therefore, feeling that he had caused the hurt, Arthur himself must take the consequence. When night had fallen he ordered a servant to take his horse and armor, his shield and spear, and convey them to a place outside the city and there to wait for him. And before dawn the king went privately out and met his man, and armed himself, and mounted, and he commanded his servant to wait where he was, and so King Arthur rode out alone to avenge Sir Gryfflet or to pay for his bad judgment, for he valued his manhood above his kingship.
    The king rode softly away from the city and he entered the forest in the first light of dawn. And among the trees he saw three rough-dressed peasants running after Merlin with clubs in their hands, trying to kill him. Arthur galloped toward them, and when they saw the armed knight they turned and ran for their lives and hid themselves in the deep forest. Arthur came up to Merlin and he said, “You see, for all your magic and your craft, they would have killed you if I had not come along.”
    Merlin replied, “It pleases you to think it, but it is not true. I could have saved myself any time I wished. You are nearer to danger than I was, for you are riding in the direction of your death and God is not your friend.”
    They moved on until they came to the fountain by the path and the rich pavilion beside it with the rising sun shining on it. And in a chair beside the tent an armed knight sat quietly and Arthur addressed him.
    â€œSir Knight,” he said, “why do you guard this way and challenge every knight who passes by?”
    â€œIt is my custom,” said the knight.
    â€œThen I tell you to change your custom,” said the king.
    â€œIt is my custom,” the knight repeated, “and I will continue it. Whoever does not approve of it is at liberty to change it if he can.”
    â€œI