my knightly service."

They soon reached the dwelling, which was in a little priory, and here
Marhaus gave them the best cheer at his disposal, the more so when he
learned that they were sons of King Arthur's sisters. Here they remained
seven days, until their wounds had fully healed. On the eighth day they
took horse again to continue their journey.

"We shall not part so lightly," said Marhaus. "I shall bring you through
the forest, and mayhap ride farther with you."

For seven days more they rode onward without adventure. Then they found
themselves on the borders of a still greater forest, in what was known
as the country and forest of Arroy and the land of strange adventures.

"It is well named," said Marhaus. "For it is said that no knight ever
rode into this country and failed to find adventures many and
marvellous."

They rode onward into the forest before them, and in good time found
themselves in a deep and stony valley, traversed by a fair stream of
water.

Following this upward, they soon came to a fair fountain, the head of
the stream, beside which three damsels were seated.

Of these, the eldest was not less than threescore years of age. She wore
a garland of gold upon her head, and her hair was white beneath it. The
second damsel was thirty years of age, and she also wore a circlet of
gold. The third was not over fifteen years old, and her garland was of
flowers.

The knights halted and looked at them in surprise, asking them why they
sat by that lonely fountain.

"We are here to await knights-errant who come in quest of adventures,"
they said. "If you three knights are in search of things strange and
stirring, each of you must choose one of us. When this is done we shall
lead you unto three highways, one of which each of you must take, and
his damsel with him. This day twelvemonth you must meet here again, and
to all this you must pledge your troth, if God give you your lives to
return."

"You speak well," said Marhaus. "Adventures we seek, and no true
knight-errant hesitates before the unknown and the dangerous. We shall
do as you say, each of us choose one of you, and then, whatsoever
fortune wills, let it come."

"As for me," said Uwaine, "since I am the youngest and weakest of the
three, I choose the eldest damsel. I have more need of help than either
of you, and her age and knowledge may aid me well."

"Then I shall take her of middle age," said Marhaus. "She fits me best."

"I than