allan meets a stranger

the noble cortege, after the first day's hunt, continued on its journey.

it had reached leek, in stafford on the morn of the fifth day ere word came of sir tristram. here, was heard from some, sir tristram was then on way to scotland, and from still others, that he was bound for kinkenadon in wales.

"by my faith," spoke sir gawaine, "there are none that are more ready to testify to sir tristram's greatness and ability, too. yet still, have i many doubts as to his being both on way to scotland and to wales as well."

"if it were left to me," said sir dagonet, "i would hie me to ireland. a likely spot to find him, say i. for there are none who have said that they know of the good knight's journey thitherward."

"we, for ourselves, think it best," the king interrupted, "to tarry here this day. our comrade, pellimore, expresses great desire to have us partake of his hospitality and we are fain, so to do. what say you?"

"it were wisdom to do so, methinks," agreed sir percival. "tomorrow we may find here some further news of sir tristram's way."

"aye, sir knights," added sir launcelot, "for we need must know whether we continue our travel north or west from this point."

so all of them were housed within the castle walls. and sir pellimore spread bounteous feast before his guests at midday for he held it high honor to be host to such as these.

now, as the repast had been completed, allan grew restless. he was of a mind to ride forth and so craved permission from sir percival who gave ready consent.

forth he went and rode for many an hour. and then, since the day had great heat, he found himself turn drowsy. thereupon finding a pleasant, shaded spot, he quickly made a couch of cedar boughs and soon was fast asleep.

it seemed to the boy he had slept but few moments when his eyes opened wide with the certainty that other eyes were directed upon him. nor was this mere fancy nor dream. near him sat a monk, and from under the black hood the face that peered forth at him was gaunt, cadaverous, with eyes that seemed to burn straight through the lad. but for the eyes, this figure could well have been carven, so still and immovable did it sit there and gaze at the youth. nor did the monk speak far many minutes even though he must have known that the boy was awake and watching him.

the sun now hung low in the sky. allan knew that he must have been asleep for at least two hours. he knew, too, that he should rise and return to the castle, since the hour was already late and his time overspent. yet did the monk's eyes hold him to the spot. nor was the thing that held him there fear; rather could it be described as the feeling one has before a devout, sacred and holy presence. despite the holy man's unworthy aspect he inspired no fear in the lad.

"allan, boy," and the lad wondered that the monk knew him by name, "two things i know have been chief in your thoughts these days." kindly was the monk's tone. "what then are these two things?"

no thought had the boy of the oddness of the monk's words, nor of his questions. nor of the fact that the monk seemed to be there present. somehow, the whole of it took on some great purport. allan stopped not to wonder, which the two things the monk mentioned were uppermost in his mind but straightway made reply.

"strange monk, i think and dream of the holy grail. and think too of yosalinde, sister to my lord percival. and of naught else so much. but pray you, holy father, who are you?

"truth, lad. as to who i am or as to where i come, know you this. i come to you from that same place as do all dreams.

"aye lad. dreaming and fancying shall ever be yours. these son, shall bring you the visions of tomorrow and many another day.

"i have come to tell you this, lad. but two years or more and you shall start in earnest on your search for the grail. and whether you find the same, i shall not and cannot say, for the finding depends on you. the way shall be hard, youth of many dreams, though you will have help and guidance, too. but the great inspiration for it all shall come to you from the second of these, your two big thoughts.

"i sought you many a day, lad. merlin has sounded the message for me to all the knights of britain. once before, years ago, i came to find the likely seeker for the grail and thought that i had found him. yet did the crucible's test find some alloy and so i had need to come again.

"then," said allan but barely comprehending, "you are none other than sir joseph of armathea."

"lad, it matters not as to who and what i am. it is of you, we are now concerned. dear, dear, lad, they shall name you again and the name which shall be yours shall ever after be symbolic with the very best that manhood holds."

"go your way, now. for i must speak with many more this day ere i return. a knight comes but now, with whom i must hold counsel. and i would fain speak to him, alone."

"true, father, i had best go. for sir percival will think me thoughtless, if not worse. as to what you have said, i can do but that best which is in me and ever seek to make that best better. and so, i ask your blessing."

the boy knelt. the monk, lean, black cowled, eyes glowing with a light that held the supernatural, placed hand upon the boy's head and gave him blessing. so then the boy mounted horse and was away.

he rode hard for he held great anxiety to return quickly. and all the time he rode he thought of the things the strange monk had told him, some of it, he did not altogether understand. that was because of his youthfulness. it was to come back to him when many months had passed. this however, he knew, he was destined to make search for the holy grail. for so, the holy man had ordained.

sir percival, a bit anxious, was waiting for the lad when he returned.

"i went far and then fell asleep," allan explained. "nor did i awaken until the sun hung low." he did not speak of the meeting with the monk.

"it is well you are back, lad. for i was fast growing worried over the lateness of your return. turn in then. i wot not, but that food will be found for you on which you can sup. sir launcelot went forth some hours ago. i fancy he went in search of you, though he would not admit this to be the purpose of his departure."