his wounds pained him
more than they had done at the time when he received them. And the
maiden stood under another tree. And, lo! they heard the sound of horns,
and a tumultuous noise, and the occasion of it was, that Arthur and his
company had come down to the wood. And while Geraint was considering
which way he should go to avoid them, behold, he was espied by a foot
page, who was an attendant on the Steward of the Household, and he went
to the steward, and told him what kind of man he had seen in the wood.
Then the steward caused his horse to be saddled, and he took his lance
and his shield, and went to the place where Geraint was. "Ah, knight!"
said he, "what dost thou here?" "I am standing under a shady tree, to
avoid the heat and the rays of the sun." "Wherefore is thy journey, and
who art thou?" "I seek adventures, and go where I list." "Indeed," said
Kai, "then come with me to see Arthur, who is here hard by." "That will
I not, by Heaven," said Geraint. "Thou must needs come," said Kai. Then
Geraint knew who he was, but Kai did not know Geraint. And Kai attacked
Geraint as best as he could. And Geraint became wroth, and he struck him
with the shaft of his lance, so that he rolled headlong to the ground.
But chastisement worse than this would he not inflict on him.

Scared and wildly Kai arose, and he mounted his horse, and went back to
his lodging. And thence he proceeded to Gwalchmai's tent. "Oh, Sir,"
said he to Gwalchmai, "I was told by one of the attendants, that he saw
in the wood above a wounded knight, having on battered armour, and if
thou dost right, thou wilt go and see if this be true." "I care not if I
do so," said Gwalchmai. "Take, then, thy horse, and some of thy armour,"
said Kai, "for I hear that he is not over-courteous to those who approach
him." So Gwalchmai took his spear and his shield, and mounted his horse,
and came to the spot where Geraint was. "Sir Knight," said he,
"wherefore is thy journey?" "I journey for my own pleasure, and to seek
the adventures of the world." "Wilt thou tell me who thou art, or wilt
thou come and visit Arthur, who is near at hand?" "I will make no
alliance with thee, nor will I go and visit Arthur," said he. And he
knew that it was Gwalchmai, but Gwalchmai knew him not. "I purpose not
to leave thee," said Gwalchmai, "till I know who thou art." And he
charged him with his lance, and struck him on his shield, so that the
shaft was shivered