But not many steps had Palamides led her before the victorious knight cried out in tones of fierce anger,—
"Loose the lady, sirrah! Whither take you her?"
"Whither I will?" answered Palamides.
"You speak largely, sir knave," cried the knight. "Do you fancy you can rob me of my prize so lightly? Think it not, sirrah; were you as good a knight as Lancelot or Tristram or Palamides, you should not have that lady without winning her at a dearer rate than I did."
"If fight it is, I am ready for you," answered Palamides. "I promised to bring this lady to her lover from whom yonder knight stole her, and it will need more swords than one to make me break my word."
"We shall see if that be so," said the other, attacking him so fiercely that Palamides had much ado to protect himself. They fought for so long a time that Palamides marvelled much who this knight could be that withstood him so sturdily after his late hard battle.
"Knight," he said, at length, "you fight like a hero. I would know your name."
"You shall have it for yours in return."
"I agree to that."
"Then, sir, my name is Safere. I am son of King Astlobar, and brother to Palamides and Segwarides."