our camp, because while we are here, neither can the wounded be well looked to, nor the armies supplied with food for men and beasts; he therefore should fall back a day's journey, and I to the town of Lubayna, to see that my wounded men be taken care of, and to send off the Emperor to his own country. Our mediators will know how to proceed, and you shall be present; and if need be, he and I may see each other, where we may think good. This pleased the Hermit well; for though all was not yet settled, he knew the danger would be farther removed, when the armies were farther apart; for though this good man was in orders, and led so strict a life in so remote a part, he had in his time been a right good Knight in the court of King Lisuarte's father, and after of King Falangris, so that though he was perfect in things divine, he was also well versed in things temporal. Sir, said he to the King, it only remains to appoint a certain day when your Ambassadors shall meet here, which will be mid-way between the two armies; and by God's blessing I trust they will so agree that you and King Perion may meet. I will go without delay, and send to tell you at what hour to break up your camp. So he went to King Perion, who, with the consent of the two chosen Knights, was well content that the
armies should remove on the morrow. King Lisuarte was advised thereof, and in the morning the trumpets were sounded, and the tents raised, and the two armies joyfully separated, each going to the place appointed.
CHAPTER 34.
Meantime King Aravigo, and Barsinan Lord of Sansuena, and Arcalaus the Enchanter, remained in the mountain; they knew by their spies of the two battles that had been fought, and how the camps were so well fortified, that they could not be forced at night; and the longer the struggle continued, the more were they rejoiced, being assured that the one party would at length be subdued, and thus they should win an easy victory, and fully effect their purpose. But now the spies brought tidings that the armies had broken up their camps, and were separating, they knew not for what cause. Aravigo presently concluded that some accord had taken place, and he determined without delay to attack King Lisuarte rather than Amadis; for if the King were slain or
taken, Amadis would care little concerning Great Britain, and he might obtain possession of it. Howbeit, he said, it would be best to attack them by night, when they were utterly unprepared, and he sent his nephew Esclavor, who was a man skilful in war, with ten Knights, to observe their motions; accordingly he rode as privily as he could along the mountain, watching their march in the plain.
Now King Lisuarte had alway been suspicious of this army, though he had no certain knowledge concerning them; but he had heard from some of the country people that there were troops by the sea side, though he had no leisure to attend to the information, being too much employed. But now he was told that there were horsemen on the mountain, who seemed to conceal themselves: presently the King apprehended, that if they came upon him, he could not escape without battle, the which he greatly feared, seeing how hardly his army had been handled in the two former fights; howbeit, having so courageous a heart, he did not delay to apply the fitting remedy, and he called King Cildadan and the other chiefs, and telling them what he had heard, bade them hold their troops in readiness, that if need were, they
might be found as Knights ought to be. They all replied that they were ready to lose their lives in his defence. But some there were, and in particular Don Grumedan and Brandoyuas, who secretly counselled him to advise King Perion, for this army was fresh and numerous, and so greatly were they his enemies, that if they conquered, they would show him no mercy. But the King, who ever regarded his honour more than his life, refused to ask aid of the other army, saying, that belike there was no danger, and if there were, they had only to bestir themselves as they had done in greater perils. He then sent Filispinel with twenty Knights to the mountain, to see what they could discover. Then he made his men halt and refresh themselves, for they had now marched four leagues, and he was desirous that they should not stop again before they reached Lubayna, being fearful of an attack by night; and knowing, that if the men rested a second time, they would disarm and sleep, so that a small force would put them to the rout. After they had rested a while and taken food, he gave order to mount again and proceed, the baggage and the wounded going before, though the greater part of the wounded had been sent to Lubayna during the truce.