"Lady," answered he, "thou sayest truth: I do remember it."
And Peredur was entertained by the empress fourteen years, as the story relates.
Arthur was at Caerlleon-upon-Usk, his principal palace; and in the centre of the floor of the hall were four men sitting on a carpet of velvet,—Owain the son of Urien, and Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Howel the son of Emyr Llydaw, and Peredur of the long lance. And thereupon they saw a black curly-headed maiden enter, riding upon a yellow mule, with jagged thongs in her hand to urge it on, and having a rough and hideous aspect. Blacker were her face and her two hands than the blackest iron covered with pitch; and her hue was not more frightful than her form. High cheeks had she, and a face lengthened downwards, and a short nose with distended nostrils. And one eye was of a piercing mottled gray, and the other was as black as jet, deep sunk in her head. And her teeth were long and yellow,—more yellow were they than the flower of the broom. And her back was in the shape of a crook. And her figure was very thin and spare, except her feet, which were of huge size. And she greeted Arthur and all his household, except Peredur. And to Peredur she spoke harsh and angry words. "Peredur, I greet thee not, seeing that thou dost not merit it. Blind was Fate in giving thee fame and favor. When thou wast in the court of the Lame King, and didst see there the youth bearing the streaming spear from the points of which were drops of blood flowing in streams even to the hand of the youth, and many other wonders likewise, thou didst not inquire their meaning nor their cause. Hadst thou done so, the king would have been restored to health, and his dominions to peace. Whereas from henceforth he will have to endure battles and conflicts, and his knights will perish, and wives will be widowed, and maidens will be left portionless, and all this is because of thee." Then said she unto Arthur, "May it please thee, lord, my dwelling is far hence, in the stately castle of which thou hast heard, and therein are five hundred and sixty-six knights of the order of chivalry, and the lady whom best he loves with each; and whoever would acquire fame in arms and encounters and conflicts, he will gain it there, if he deserve it. And whoso would reach the summit of fame and of honor, I know where he may find it. There is a castle on a lofty mountain, and a maiden [is] therein, and she is a prisoner; and whoever shall set her free will attain the summit of the fame of the world." And thereupon she rode away.
Said Gwalchmai, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly until I have proved if I can release the maiden." And many of Arthur's household joined themselves with him.
Then likewise said Peredur, "By my faith I will not rest tranquilly until I know the story, and the meaning of the lance whereof the black maiden spoke."
And, while they were equipping themselves, behold a knight came to the gate. And he had the size and strength of a warrior, and was equipped with arms and habiliments. And he went forward, and saluted Arthur and all his household, except Gwalchmai. And the knight had upon his shoulder a shield ingrained with gold, with a fesse of azure blue upon it, and his whole armor was of the same hue. And he said to Gwalchmai, "Thou didst slay my lord by thy treachery and deceit, and that will I prove upon thee."
Then Gwalchmai rose up. "Behold," said he, "here is my gage against thee, to maintain, either in this place or wherever else thou wilt, that I am not a traitor or deceiver."
"Before the king whom I obey, will I that my encounter with thee take place," said the knight.
"Willingly," said Gwalchmai. "Go forward, and I will follow thee."