Re: Chapter 2 - The Grey Knight (515 AD)
The two knights quickly mount and ride off, their extra horses and squires in tow. Sir Tyngyr's squire Cadlew and extra horses with them, and Sir Tyngyr himself bringing up the rear.
The ghastly-looking knight looks around furtively and occasionally sniffs the air or stops to listen. About a half an hour after departing, he closes his visor and couches his lance.
Sir Dalan and Sir Gracian see a shadowy form ahead of them in the road, loping toward them. There comes a menacing growl and the sound of jangling chains and the beast comes into plain view. It is a large black dog with glowing eyes the size of saucers. It seems to focus on Sir Dalan and breaks into a run toward him.
Sir Tyngyr lowers his lance and charges. As he passes his fellows he shouts, "stay right and trust no one but Sir Gawaine or his squire." Then he is passed and his lance dips as it skewers the dog, throwing it back several yards to the left side.
Sir Dalan and Sir Gracian and their retinue charge around on the right. Sir Tyngyr drops his lance and wheels to the left at the end of his charge, drawing his sword as the Barguest tries to get around him and pursue Sir Dalan once more. Sir Tyngyr strikes another blow that sends the beast hurtling backwards once more and presses forward as the thing gets up once more. Again he bats it back with his sword and presses close to keep it from getting around him.
The knights soon lose sight of their comrade and the Barguest in the low light but they hurry on as fast as they dare in the poor light. The dog looks fast enough to pace a horse over a long distance, so if Sir Tyngyr can't give them at least a few minutes head start, they might be seeing the thing again.
It is only about an hour later when the sun first crests the rolling hills before them and glints off of the towers of London in the distance that they begin to relax. As they ride, Sir Gracian's squire relays what he was told by Sir Tyngyr's squire, and younger brother, Cadlew. It seems that Tyngyr and Cadlew were only half-brothers. Cadlew only found out recently that Tyngyr was part Fae. After Tyngyr was knocked unconscious in the Wasteland, Cadlew managed after a couple of days to get him to Canduel and a boat bound for London. The sea journey took several weeks, during which Tyngyr eventually regained consciousness. He was still very sick when he arrived in London but he searched daily for rumors about his compatriots. Yesterday, he had a vision, which he believed was from his mother, about the Barguest and he set out immediately to warn Sir Dalan, Sir Gracian, and Sir Caradwg. Being part Fae, Tyngyr knew how dangerous a Barguest can be and seeing only two of his companions, he knew they could not risk trying to kill it as a group.
Somberly, the knights continue their ride toward London. As it grows later and they got closer to London, the road becomes clogged with people and they have to force their way through the crowds. The mood in the City is that of a funeral. Eventually, they get close to the tournament field itself and are forced to dismount in order to push their way through the throngs. They can hear the sounds of battle ringing out across the field. The contest has already begun!
At length, they are able to push their way to the front. On the field, Sir Gawaine and the Grey Knight have at each other. Arthur watches from the dais, to the side of which stand Lady De Vance and her dwarf servant. The pair recognize Gawaine's standard next to a man standing close by, his face pale. Sir Gawaine is bloody from many wounds, only his great strength and will are keeping him alive. The Grey Knight has obviously been wounded frequently - indeed, almost butchered. His armor is rent and dented and strips of flesh dangle from his body. There is, however, no trace of blood on his person.
As the knights watch, Sir Gawaine delivers a mighty blow to the Grey Knight's head, knocking off his helmet. A collective gasp arises from the crowd as it becomes obvious that the Grey Knight is a dead man. His face is clammy white. There are worm holes in his flesh. His eyes are sunken in his sockets. All is still and silent for a heartbeat - no one moves, no one speaks. Then, all hear King Arthur's awed gasp: "King Ryons!"
A couple of people in the crowd mutter, "Arthur's great enemy from the last revolt. Yet, was he not slain before the Battle of Terrabel?"
There is a bit of a pause before the pair will resume trying to kill one another, Sir Dalan is holding the whetstone, what would you like to do?