The crisp air of early autumn was biting as I rode up the winding trail that led to the crest of the highland. To my left I could look out over the sea where the waves were showing their white tops as they moved inward to crash into the rocky shore below. My quest had brought me far to the north in search of some unknown adventure. I had traveled far from the court and as yet had not found the challenge which I was seeking. But each day brought a new hope.
As I crossed over the top of the mountains I looked before me at a moor far below where the heather still cast the hue of it�s plumage. Then, in surprise, I pulled back on the reins of my mount. Standing before me was a man. I guess the thing that startled me was his stature. Though he was older he stood strong and with an air of confidence and security. He made the gesture of a bow as would be expected of a gentleman in a less rustic environment. This gave me the distinct feeling this man was more than his appearance belied.
He spoke with a slow and deliberate voice which was strong and carried over the wind which had began to whip the air around us.
"Please come and rest yourself and join me in my dwelling."
To which I replied, "Sir, I would be happy to share you hospitality and rest both myself and my horse from our long journey."
His home was a large cavern. It was open at two ends, one that looked out over the blue sea to the west, the other over the moor to the east. But inside it opened back into the side of the earth and seemed to be divided into several chambers. There was a fire which warmed the inner great room of the cavern in a surprising way. Of course being protected from the wind was much warmer than the outside. He motioned me to sit in one of the large divans which were crafted of a dark wood and stood on the top of large stones. It was almost as if they were thrones in a castle. The stranger led my horse to another large room and I could hear the rustling as he spread some hay or some kind of dry feed. I could also hear the trickling of water which indicated a spring running within the cavern.
I watched as he moved to the fireplace removing a small cask from the hearth, pouring some of it�s contents into two cups.
"It is a rough meade, but drinkable. I�m sorry I don�t have better to offer you. I don�t receive many guests here and I stock mostly for myself. I do have some mutton from the mountain sheep that roam these parts and we shall have our fill to eat. Your horse has feed and bedding and should fare well till morning."
We both sat silently for a while, sipping the warm liquid, which he poured from the cask when our cups were empty. It was course but I began to warm inside and felt my stiffness fade. His cave was not luxurious but it was more than comfortable. And I could not help but feel secure as the last light of the day disappeared.
Though he did not ask, he had watched closely as I had put my armor, shield and sword against the wall when I had entered. I sensed he was curious but guess it was the custom in this region not to ask but rather to wait for the guest to relate their causes.
After we had sat awhile in silence I began to tell my host that I had journeyed from beyond the border country where I was a knight in the service of the King. The years after the battles were times of peace and for a knight they were also filled with boredom, and as many of the other knights had done before me, I had set off in search of adventure. Now, after two years of errant searching my journeys had brought me here.
The old man sat in silence, listening to my talk of my life. After I had fell silent for another spell the old man finally spoke. He told me that in this land it was customary for a guest to entertain their host in whatever way they could. He said, "I think I would like to hear a story from the lands from which you came."
I thought for a few moments, then remembered a story I had heard on more than one occasion while sitting around a campfire awaiting the next days battle. It was a story that I heard was true but of that there was no proof, and none was sure if it were so or just an old tale conjured just for the telling.
There was once a young knight that had come to the court of the King. Where he came from no one had known. He arrived on a day of a great tournament. Knights from every corner of the realm were there, all noted for their bravery and prowess. But to all this young knight was unknown.
As was the custom of the court, each knight would honor one of the maidens of the court, or of one of the visiting courts, by asking to compete as her champion and wear her favor in the tournament. And as usual with knights, the prizes they won would be present to the ladies.
The top prize for this contest was a great golden falcon. In those days this was a prize more precious than gold or jewels. The most favored sport was the hunting of game using well trained and bred birds of prey. This falcon was tethered on a pole for all to view and admire.
Now it just so happened in the King�s court was a young maiden of the rarest beauty. The strange knight was so taken by her beauty he at once fell deeply in love. Boldly he rode over to the King�s throne, dismounted his horse and bowed deeply to the King, then bowed to the Queen and kissed her graciously on the hand. He then asked a boon of the King. As was the custom of those times the King granted such requests if they were in proper order. The young knight asked the King if he might seek to champion the lady in the tournament. This request was proper and the King agreed to the boon if the maiden would accept the young knights request.
The knight approached the lovely maiden, and getting down on one knee professed his desire to be her champion for the day. Though she was secretly hoping for a more renowned knight to champion her, she could not refuse the knight�s pleas. She knew that if she refused him the other knights would not ask for her hand as a courtesy all knights had for one another. So the maiden accepted the young warriors request. She took a sleeve of peach colored cloth and presented it to the knight to wear in the games as a sign that he was her champion for the day. To his plain and unadorned armor, he tied this cloth to his helm, mounted his steed and rode off to prepare for the tournament.
All the people were amazed when this young knight time after time challenged worthy and tested knights of the courts and bested each one in turn. By the end of the day he had unseated fifty of the best knights of the realm, and was declared champion of the tournament by the queen. For his efforts he was awarded the prize of the golden falcon. When he had taken possession of the bird, bowed to the King and Queen, he rode to the maiden and presented her with the prize. She accepted the prize and turned it over to a chamberlain to house it with the other birds of the court.
Following the games there was a great feast for all. The young knight was the guest of honor and was seated at tables of the court. All the King�s knight were generous with their compliments of his prowess though many were those he had defeated. And the king asked that the young man consider serving in his service and become a member of his army and a resident of the court.
All through the evening he tried to win the attention of the lovely young maiden he had championed but his advances were each time shunned. Though she had gladly accepted the prize he had won for her, it was evident that she had no interest in the champion. His heart was broken for by this time he was madly in love with the lady. But no matter how he tried he could not turn her toward him.
Feeling spurned and shamed, he left the court and rode out into the night. It was the last time anyone saw or heard of the young knight. Some even tried to search him out but he was never found. But he was remembered by all that were there to see his feats on the field that day. And tales were passed about the greatest knight that had ever lived.
The old man who was my host just sat silently and nodded his head. After we had silently eaten we took our sleep for the night. The next morning he had wrapped some of the meat and filled a skin with the meade and tied it onto my saddle. I bade him goodbye and thanked him for his hospitality. His only reply was that my keep had been well earned by the story I had related to him.
I climbed on my horse and rode out toward the moors through the east door of the cavern. The sun had risen and I could see the mists rising from down in the valley below. As I left the opening to the cave I saw a glint of light on steel, turning aside I saw standing next to the entrance an old and rusted shield, and sword, and standing behind them a tarnished suit of armor. Tied to the helm was a length of peach colored cloth. I turned to look back but the silent knight had disappeared through the western opening and out into the highlands.
Faery The Hummingbird She Was Paris Autumn Leaves Sword of Honor
The Stranger Home