The Squire did as he was commanded, and one of the Knights answered that Queen Briolania was aboard, on her way to the Firm Island. God be thanked, quoth the Squire at that, they who sent me to ask will be right glad of such tidings! Good Squire, cried the Damsels, tell us if it please you who be they? Ladies, he replied, they are two Knights who are voyaging to the same port as yourselves, but by the fortune of the sea have been driven hither, where what they have here met will well requite them for their fatigue, they will make themselves known as soon as I
return, therefore I need say no more. Full joyfull were those Knights when the Squire returned and told them into what company they had fallen, and they brought their ship nearer to the other vessel. And when they were come nigh the Damsels knew them, having seen them when they were with their mistress at the Court of King Lisuarte; so they ran joyfully to tell the Queen how they had met two Knights, great friends of Amadis, Don Quadragante and Don Brian of Monjaste. She hearing this went out from her apartment to bid them welcome, for she had heard from her high steward Tantiles, how these Knights had been sent from the Firm Island to Lisuarte. By the time she came out they were already on board, and went to kiss her hand, but not suffering that, she put one arm round each and thus awhile embraced them, saying, Sirs and my good friends I thank God for this meeting, than which nothing could have delighted me more, unless it had been to have seen Amadis of Gaul, whom as ye know I am so much in duty bound to love. Now tell me how ye have sped? They then told her all that had past, and how no hope of any accord with King Lisuarte remained, and how they had been driven by the storm, but now said they, we
think ourselves happy to have been so driven, since we can now serve and protect you on your voyage. I too, replied the Queen, had my fears during that storm, for certes, I thought we never could have outlived it, but my ship is large and stout, and my anchors and cables strong, and it pleased God that we neither dragged nor broke them. I knew from my high Steward Tantiles that you were gone on this embassy, and knowing how fortunate King Lisuarte hath been, judged that he would continue to presume upon his fortunes. I have therefore summoned all my vassals and called upon my friends for help, and having left Tantiles to assemble and conduct the force, thought that it would be well meantime to go visit the Princess Oriana at the Firm Island, and abide with her the chance which it may please God to send us. This is the reason why you have met me here, and I am right glad that we shall proceed together. Lady mine, replied Don Brian, from one so fair as you and of such high degree, nothing but what is virtuous and noble can be expected, and such we find in your doings. The Queen then desired that they would order their vessel to keep company with hers, and they themselves remain on board with her, so they were well lodged on board
Queen Briolania's ship, and ate at her table, and thus they sailed pleasantly over the seas.
Now you must know that when the Uncle of this Queen Briolania, Abiseos, was slain with his two sons by Amadis and Agrayes, in vengeance for the death of his brother, whom he had treacherously killed, he had yet another son left, who, being but a child, was by a Knight carefully brought up. This son was now a young Knight of great hardihood and prowess, as had in many encounters been proved; and though for long time he was so young that he thought of nothing but following arms and increasing his honour, yet now certain servants of his father had told him that he ought to take vengeance for his death, and either recover the kingdom which by right was his, or else procure such compensation as might be worthy of his birth. So this young Knight who was called Trion was now always ruminating on what these servants told him, and watching fair occasion to put in practice his desires, and now knowing how Amadis, whom he regarded as the main let of his ambition, was engaged with King Lisuarte, he thought he would have no leisure to direct his attention to any thing but his own great danger. He therefore
having understood the departure of Queen Briolania, and that she went with so small a company that she had in her ship not more than twenty men at arms, and among them none of great prowess, he went out from a Castle which he possessed, which Castle was all that Abiseos possessed before he murdered his brother, and gathered together his friends, not telling them for what enterprize, and having collected fifty men at arms, and certain archers and cross-bowmen besides, he fitted out two ships and put to sea, with design to take the Queen, and to obtain from her a share of the kingdom, or if he saw a favourable opportunity recover the whole. He knew the course she was steering, and one evening came out to intercept her.
The sailors seeing these two ships coming toward them, told the Queen; immediately Don Quadragante and Don Brian went on deck, and seeing that the ships were bearing down upon them, gave order that the men should arm; this the men did, though with little apprehension of danger, and continued to hold their course. The others were now come so nigh that their voices might be heard. Then Trion cried out aloud, Knights who are in yonder ship, tell Queen Briolania that her cousin
Trion is here, and would speak with her, and bid her order her people to make no resistance, for else not one of them shall escape death. When the Queen heard this she was greatly dismayed, and said, Sirs, this is the greatest enemy that I have in the world, and he would not venture upon this without great cause, and a strong company. My good Lady, replied Quadragante, take you no fear, please God we will soon chastise his folly. He then ordered answer to be made, that if Trion would come alone to see the Queen he should willingly be admitted. Since this is your answer quoth Trion, I shall come against your will. Then he ordered a Knight who had been one of his father's servants to bear down in the one vessel and board the Queen's ship on one side and he would do the same on the other. Don Brian seeing the ships separate guessed what was their purpose, and bade Quadragante with half the men look to the defence on one side, as he would on the other; accordingly thus it was done, and Don Quadragante had the side which Trion himself attacked, and Brian was opposed to the other Knight. Quadragante then bade his people stand forward so that he might not be seen, and he told them not to prevent Trion from entering if he should attempt it. Anon the ship
was hotly attacked on both sides, for the assailants, knowing nothing of these Knights of the Firm Island, thought that no resistance could be made which could be any way dangerous. Immediately Trion, who was full of confidence and eager for success, leaped on board; the Queen's people gave way as they had been directed, and Don Quadragante seeing him fairly on board then came forward. He as you have heard in the second part of this history was huge of stature, and when Trion beheld him, he well knew that he was not such an enemy as he had expected to meet, howbeit his heart did not fail, and he made at him bravely; they gave each other such strokes that fire fled from their helmets and swords, but Don Quadragante was the stronger man, and laid on such a load, that Trion's sword dropt from his hand, and he fell upon his knees. Quadragante then looked round, and seeing that the enemies were crowding on board, he bade his men take charge of that Knight, and went among the other assailants, the first whom he met he smote so soundly on the head that he had no need of a surgeon, the others seeing their Leader taken and this other Knight slain, and how manfully Quadragante was bestirring himself among them, strove to
get back into their own ship, so that in their fear some were drowned, and many were slain, and the rest driven out of the vessel. Quadragante then looked and saw that Don Brian was on board the other ship making great slaughter among his enemies and he sent more of his men to his assistance, waiting himself to see if the attack would be renewed. With this help Don Brian speedily became master of the other vessel, for he had already slain the Knight who commanded her, and the men now cried out for mercy, so that he gave orders that no further slaughter should be made.