King took him in his arms and embraced him awhile saying, which is the most dangerous, this embrace, or that which we gave each other in the battle? Agrayes courteously answered, Sir, longer time is necessary before that can be resolved with truth. Now then, quoth the King, let us move; You, Sir, speaking to King Perion, with those Knights must be my guests in the Monastery; the troops, as many as can, must take their quarters in the town, and the rest encamp in these fields; we will have all the stores which are collected for the camp brought here, that there will be no want. King Perion would fain have had his leave to depart, but Lisuarte and Cildadan urged him so that he could not deny, and they were all well lodged in the Monastery. There King Lisuarte was attended by the Masters whom he had brought with him, but they were all as nothing to Master Helisabad, who soon made the King and all the other wounded Knights safe and sound, that it was marvellous; yet Lisuarte had been so grievously hurt that it was more than ten days before he could rise from his bed.
In the mean time the good man Nasciano arrived, at whose coming they were all greatly rejoiced,
and he on his part seeing these persons so joined in friendship now, who but three days agone were so cruelly striving to slay each other, lifted up his hands and said, O Lord, how exceeding great is thy mercy, the blood of the wounds which these Knights and Kings made by the wicked enemy's persuasion is not yet dried; and because I have spoken to them in thy name, they are now in the beginning of the good way! let me as thy servant, sinner though I am, so bring all this to an end, that they may forsake all other pursuits, which are not to thy service, and give themselves altogether to the advancement of thy holy Catholic faith. This good man never ceased to exhort them with good examples and doctrine. One day when they were all in King Lisuarte's chamber, the King asked Perion how he had learnt the news of his danger, and being answered that Esplandian had seen Aravigo's army and carried the alarm, the King said to him, Esplandian you have done me great service, and I trust in God that I shall one day well requite it! Son, quoth the Hermit, go and kiss the King's hand for what he hath said. The Child went and knelt and kissed his hand; and the King drew his head nearer, and kissed his face, and looked at Amadis; and Amadis who
had his eyes upon the child, saw what the King did, and how he looked at him; and his face coloured; for he knew that Lisuarte was informed of his love for Oriana, and how Esplandian was their child; so that to see how the King loved Esplandian made him more desirous to serve the King; and Lisuarte was so fond of the child, that while he was between them as a reconciler, no difference could happen.
King Gasquilan now arrived at the Monastery; he had been carried in a litter from the camp, and by Lisuarte's advice he kept as far as he could to the right of the mountain, so that by reason of the circuit, he was five days reaching Lubayna; and when he heard of the battle he was sorely grieved that he had not been present, and in his pride said things to that effect, which they who heard did not think good. He was courteously received by all that company, and his bed was placed in King Lisuarte's chamber. There seeing so many fair Knights about him, he asked which was Amadis? who came forward and bade him welcome, saying, I should be better pleased, good Sir, to have seen you in health than thus, for any malady is ill employed upon so good a man as you; may it please God soon to heal you,
and whatever quarrel there may be between us, shall be amended with good works. Gasquilan looked at him, and seeing him so fair and so gentle, he would have thought him a fitter man for Dames and Damsels than for feats of war, if he had not to his cost proved him; he made answer, My good Sir Amadis, you are the Knight in the world whom I most desired to see, not for your good, but to combat with you; and if that had befallen you from my hands, which has befallen me from yours, I should have thought myself the best Knight in the world, and should also have won the love of my Lady, by whose command I sought you, and before whom I know not how I shall appear, so that my evil is greater than it seemeth. I am grieved at this, quoth Amadis, but you who have performed such signal exploits, would not have gained much by conquering a Knight of so little renown as I am. At this King Cildadan said with a smile to Lisuarte, you should throw down your wand, Sir, to separate these two Knights, and thus jestingly they were led to talk of other things.
Now King Perion besought Lisuarte that he and his Knights might return to the Firm Island, and send his two Knights to the meeting as had
been determined; but King Lisuarte replied, that since it had pleased God thus to bring them together, they would not separate till all was concluded. Arquisil now spake with Amadis, saying he was ready to perform his promise, and return to prison. Amadis then rode out with him, and when they were away from all others, said, my good Sir, I have been prevented from speaking to you before, as you have seen; but now that we have opportunity to speak, I will tell you what is in my mind. Now that the Emperor is dead, you are the right heir to the Empire, and I know likewise, that you are well beloved by all the people, and if any one disliked you it was the Emperor, for his envy of your good qualities. So great a thing as this you ought to attend to. You have here the greater part of the best Knights of Rome, and I have in the Firm Island, Brondajel of the Rock, and the Duke of Ancona, and the Archbishop of Talancia, with sundry others who were taken upon the sea. We will send for them, and before we separate, they will do homage to you as Emperor; and if there be any opposition, I will assist you to obtain your right. If Arquisil was well pleased at this, you may easily guess, for he had expected to be held prisoner in some place from whence he should not soon have been
released. My good Sir, he replied, I know not why all who are in the world do not seek after your friendship! If thanks were sufficient for such a kindness I would offer them; but what can I offer? certes nothing but my person, and all that God and my right may bestow upon me; therefore, as you have said, bring this to effect, and what I gain will be more yours than mine. I will undertake it, said Amadis, and with God's help you shall depart Emperor from hence, or else hold me not for a Knight.
Before we return to the Monastery, said Amadis, I will show you the man in the world who hates me most; with that they entered Lubayna, and went to the lodging of Don Gandales, and to the chamber where King Aravigo and Arcalaus were held prisoners. They found them in one bed, and with their cloaths on; for since their captivity they had never undressed. Amadis knew the Enchanter, and said to him, what dost thou do, Arcalaus?—Who art thou who askest?—Amadis of Gaul, whom you have so much desired to see. Then Arcalaus looked at him more attentively; certes you say truly, for though it is long since I saw thee, I remember that thou art the same whom I had in my power in Castle Valderin.