Chapter 30 - Page 2

of his
lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and will
descend upon its shaft again." Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr
entered. And Kay said, "Bedwyr is very skilful, though he knows not
this art."
And there was much discourse among those who were without, because
that Kay and Bedwyr had gone in. And a young man who was with them,
the only son of the herdsman, got in also; and he contrived to admit
all the rest, but they kept themselves concealed.
The sword was now polished, and Kay gave it unto the hand of
Gwernach the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And the
Giant said, "The work is good; I am content therewith." Said Kay,
"It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to me, that
I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones." And he
took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand. And he
came and stood over against the giant, as if he would have put the
sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck at the head of the
giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then they despoiled the
castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would. And they
returned to Arthur's court, bearing with them the sword of Gwernach
the Giant.
And when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, "It is a
good beginning." Then they took counsel, and said, "Which of these
marvels will it be best for us to seek next?" "It will be best,"
said one, "to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and he will not be
found unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his kinsman."
Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the island of Britain with
him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came to the
castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned. Glivi stood on the
summit of his castle, and he said, "Arthur, what requirest thou of me,
since nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I have neither joy
nor pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats? Seek not, therefore, to do
me harm." Said Arthur, "Not to injure thee came I hither, but to
seek for the prisoner that is with thee." "I will give thee my
prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up to any one, and
therewith shalt thou have my support and my aid."
His followers said unto Arthur, "Lord, go thou home; thou canst
not proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as these."
Then said Arthur, "It were well for thee, Gurhyr Gwalstat, to go
upon this quest, for thou knowest all languages, and art familiar with
those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel, oughtest likewise
to go with thy men in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kay and
Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that
ye will achieve it. Achieve ye this adventure for me."
They