Chapters I-VI

Gallafur in the Darnant Forest

Armed with the shield with the red cross, Gallafur was riding towards the Darnant Forest, more eager than ever to cast out the enchantments as the Maiden of the Dragons had bidden him. His heart was so afire with love that he rode all day without a thought for food or drink. ‘Then all of a sudden his horse dropped his nose to the grass, so abruptly that before he knew it Gallafur found himself pitched to the ground and standing in front of his horse as if he’d dismounted of his own free will. This often happens to people transported by love!’ Gallafur chuckled to himself and climbed back into the saddle; but he wasn’t pleased to see three knights riding towards him, laughing at his fall. ‘He vowed he’d make them partners in his misfortune’ and challenged them to joust. They accepted with pleasure, and the first of them charged at once; Gallafur brought him crashing from his saddle, and unhorsed both his companions when they tried to avenge him. He left the three mockers dazed on the ground and rode on.

The three were kinsmen, all descendants of the hermit Pergamon: they were Palidés, Blanor and Maronex. They regretted having mocked such a fine knight and longed to know who he was, intrigued as they were by the strange shield he bore. Blanor resolved to follow him and find out.

Meanwhile Gallafur had ridden swiftly through the forest. As evening was drawing in he came to a newly built manor house, and saw a helmet above the gate, a sign of welcome to wandering knights. And welcomed he was indeed: while one boy took his horse to the stable another helped him disarm and dressed him in a mantle and said: ‘“Come, sir, and see my lady: she’ll be very happy you’re here.”’

And he led him to a beautiful chamber where an elderly lady welcomed him most graciously and bade him sit beside her. Her name, she said, was ‘“Fraze; I was one of the forty maidens of the red-spangled shifts: we were of great renown in the days of King Perceforest.”’