Beaufils and Galahad rode along the river, behind Ellyn. None of them spoke. Beaufils, for his part, was too weary to talk. His journey to the death hall had taken something out of him—something more than mere strength. It was as if he had left some vital part of his soul behind, beside the bodies on the stone shelves, and his thoughts were never far from the maidens he had found there. Ellyn also seemed exhausted, and as for Galahad, he was clearly struggling with a strong sense of shock and indignation.
At last Galahad put his feelings into words. "You let that woman die," he said to Ellyn.
"Yes, I did," she replied in a toneless voice.
"How could you?"
Beaufils judged it time to intervene. "Before you answer, Ellyn, I need to tell you both something." Then he described what he had found in the hall of maidens. "So you see, Lady Petunia and her sons knew from the beginning that Ellyn would die, just like all the others."
Ellyn stared at Beaufils, her face stricken, her eyes filled with horror. "Oh, Beau," she whispered. "All those girls. And you found them lying there? How ... are you all right?"
"All right, yes. But different," Beaufils said. "And you? You had to make a horrible choice. How are you?"
"As you said, different. I'll recover, but I won't be the same."
Galahad broke in. "I don't think it makes any difference at all. Yes, it was very wrong of them to kill all those girls—though we need to remember that they gave their lives willingly—but it doesn't change anything for Lady Ellyn. She didn't know about those noble girls when she refused Lady Petunia."
"But it did make a difference," Beaufils pointed out. "When Ellyn refused, Lady Petunia was restored. She became who she was supposed to be, a gentle old woman."
"She may have looked better, but she was still dead!"
"That's the only thing that didn't change," Beaufils said. "Lady Petunia was dead already. That whole castle was. Now maybe some of her sons can leave that horrible place. By the way, have you wondered why they were all sons? Didn't she have any daughters? What happened to them?"
Galahad shook his head. "It makes no difference," he said doggedly. "Killing her was a mortal sin, and I only hope we find a priest soon for Lady Ellyn to make confession to."
Ellyn abandoned the dispute wearily. Beaufils, considering Galahad's last words, was wondering idly if there were any priests in the World of Faeries when they rode through a stand of trees into a small clearing, in the center of which was a tiny log house. "A hermitage!" Galahad declared joyously, flinging himself from his horse and hurrying toward the hut.
"I really, really don't feel like meeting a hermit just now," Ellyn murmured.
"Not all holy men are annoying," Beaufils reminded her. "Remember the good Basil. Say, why's Galahad stopping?"
Galahad had halted his run forward and now was standing hesitantly in the little yard, staring at the hut.
"There's no door," Ellyn said suddenly. "Just that one shuttered window." Galahad started forward again and walked all around the cabin. "Is there one on the other side?" Ellyn asked him.
Galahad shook his head, then leaned toward the window. "Father?" he asked uncertainly.
The shutters opened and a smiling face appeared.
"You can call me Father if you like, but if you really want to be accurate, you should find another title." It was a woman.
"I know who you are!" Galahad burst out suddenly.
"Do you?" the woman replied. "That will save time on introductions. But you'll still have to tell me who you are."
"You are an anchoress!" Galahad exclaimed.
"Yes, I am," she replied. "But that isn't who I am, only what. My name is Irena. And what are your names?"
Galahad ignored the question. "God be praised!" he murmured, sinking to his knees and raising his eyes toward the sky. "For leading us to this holy place!"
Ellyn slipped easily from her horse and walked over to the cabin. "My name is Ellyn," she said. "This is my friend Le Beau Desconus and my traveling companion Sir Galahad."
"I'm very glad to meet you all," Irena replied, and from the smile in her eyes Beaufils saw that she meant it.
"What is an anchoress?" he asked, dismounting and joining Galahad and Ellyn by the window.
Irena looked surprised. "You've never heard of anchoresses?"
"I had a sheltered childhood," Beaufils explained. "It gave me a late start."
"An anchoress," Irena explained, "is a woman who goes apart from society and lives in a cell, like this one, devoting herself to prayer. Sort of a female hermit. Do you know about hermits?"
"Oh, yes," Ellyn replied. "We've met a lot of hermits."
"Hmm," Irena replied. "By your tone, I gather that you didn't enjoy them all."
"Not all of them, no," Beaufils admitted. "It was back in the World of Men. Do you know that world?"
"I'm from there myself," Irena said.
"Oh, then have you heard of a place called the Sacred Forest?"
"Dear me, yes," Irena replied, shaking her head sadly. "I understand you now. A dreary place, the Sacred Forest. I don't suppose you met ... anyone there you did like, did you?"
"Yes," Beaufils said. "A hermit named Basil."
Irena smiled broadly. "Oh, good. You found him. Dear Basil. Is he well?"
"Very well, thank you," Beaufils replied politely.
Ellyn had stood through this exchange with a frown deepening on her face. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she said. "But did you really choose to live in this tiny log hovel?"
"I did, yes, and I do."
"How can you do that? How do you get out?"
"I don't," Irena replied.
"How do you eat?"
"The people who live nearby bring me food, far more than I need."
Irena smiled. "I think they have some notion that I pray for them in return for their gifts. Silly of them, really, but I've stopped trying to argue."
Ellyn raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean, 'silly'?" she asked.
"They ought to know that I would pray for them whether they brought me food or not, but I'm afraid some people have a terrible time believing in gifts."
Ellyn shook her head again. "But this looks like a prison!"
Irena looked mildly at Ellyn for a moment before answering. "And I?" she said at last. "Do I look like a prisoner?"
Ellyn seemed confused by the question, so after a moment Beaufils answered. "No, Irena. You don't."
Irena acknowledged his reply with a nod, but she kept her eyes on Ellyn. "And have you never seen anyone who lived at liberty in a great palace who did seem like a prisoner?"
"Yes," Ellyn said softly. "In fact, we've just come from a place like that—a magnificent castle filled with people in bondage."
"When you know what a prison is really like, then you will find what you seek."
Beaufils didn't understand this, but he had a sense that it wouldn't do any good to ask for an explanation. He wouldn't have had time anyway, because just then Galahad, who had been gazing rapturously all this time at the sky and ignoring everything that was being said, rose to his feet. "My lady," he said. "I honor you."
"That's very kind of you, child," Irena replied. "But you don't have to, you know."
"Such true womanliness!" Galahad declared, giving Ellyn a disdainful glance. "To devote your life to prayer and purity! To sacrifice yourself and all your happiness for the sake of others."
"Oh, I'm quite happy," Irena said. "I don't feel that I'm making a sacrifice at all."
"You are so brave!" Galahad said reverently.
Irena sighed. "Yes, of course. Quite." Her eyes met Ellyn's, then crinkled with amusement. "He means well, you know," she said softly.
Ignoring her words, Galahad announced, "I only hope that this lady with whom I ride can learn something from your example!"
"Yes, I hope that, too," Irena said. She smiled at Ellyn. "But I'm not worried about it. You will find your joy, dear."
Galahad returned to his horse and mounted. "We have been inspired to have been with you."
"And likewise, I'm sure," Irena murmured. "And, if you're looking for a place to stay this evening, let me suggest you follow the river downstream a few miles to the castle of Lady Synadona. Perhaps you could even help her with a problem or two. You must insist on seeing Lady Synadona personally, though."
With that, Irena smiled again, then closed the shutters and returned to her dark cell. Beaufils and Ellyn glanced at each other, then mounted and joined Galahad in riding toward the river.
"That's a castle?" Beaufils asked, delighted with the sight that lay before him. The castle of Lady Synadona was unlike any he'd seen. The walls were of stone, but not of rough and jagged stone like the castles he had seen in the World of Men. This palace was built of shiny, white, smooth stones that gleamed in the light. And, while it had as many towers as other castles, these were topped not with battlements but with roundish structures, something like onions with their pointed bits jutting upward. Most of all, there were no walls around the outside.
"Ridiculous," Galahad said. "Who could defend a castle like that?"
"Maybe it wasn't built to be defended," Ellyn said tartly. "I think it's gorgeous."
They rode down a long slope toward the shining castle, and as they rode they came to a statue, carved from the same smooth white stone as the palace itself. Beaufils stopped to admire the figure, of an armored knight in a heroic pose. Galahad gave the figure a scornful glance as he rode by. "Do they imagine that a stone warrior will help them in a war?" he asked with a faint sneer.
Beaufils prodded Glover into a walk to keep up with the others, but he glanced back over his shoulder one more time at the statue. The sight made him gasp, because from this side, the statue looked very different: now the noble knight was a scowling destroyer, his eyes alive with bloodlust and his sword dripping with gore. "Ellyn?" Beaufils said softly, but the others were already too far ahead to hear. Giving the image one more look, Beaufils turned and hurried on.
As he caught up with the others, they were just coming to a second statue. This one was of a majestic, smiling queen who was holding out a hand filled with food for her grateful people. As they rode past, though, Beaufils turned to look at the statue from the other side. Again the figure was different in reverse. Now she was a pale and evil-looking woman with her people cringing at her feet. Only the crown on her head was the same.
And so it went. They passed a magnificent king who, from the other side, was a shriveled hunchback counting piles of money. There were two young men, brothers or close friends, who from one side were embracing each other and from the other were driving daggers into each other's backs. There was a loving mother, surrounded by her adoring children, whose opposite aspect was of a lumpy lady troll with her children in chains at her feet. A tall man holding an armful of parchments and wearing robes like those worn by Clerk Geoffrey back at Camelot was on one side teaching a youth and on the other sneering at the world from behind a pile of books. Last of all, just before they came to the great front door of the palace, was a glorious angel whose other aspect was that of a goat-footed demon. Neither of Beaufils's companions looked over their shoulders to see the altered images, and Beaufils said nothing, but as they came to the palace, he guessed that whatever they found there would likewise not be what it seemed.
The door swung open and a majestic man in gleaming black clothes stood at the threshold. "Welcome, travelers," he said, sweeping a low, courtly bow.
"We greet you, sir," said Galahad. "Are you the master of this castle?"
I am.
Ellyn frowned. "Isn't this the castle of Lady Synadona?"
The man's smile faded slightly, and he bowed to Ellyn. "Yes," he said. "I was about to explain that. I am her ladyship's vizier, caring for her interests until she is able to do so herself."
"Oh?" Beaufils asked. "Is something wrong with Lady Synadona?"
"Regrettably, yes," the man replied. "She is gravely ill. So ill, in fact, that she is unable to receive guests. But I will be happy to serve as your host and give you lodging on your journey."
Galahad bowed his head. "We are grateful to you, sir," he said.
Ellyn shook her head. "No, that won't do."
The man raised his eyebrows haughtily. "Won't do?" he repeated.
"We were told to see Lady Synadona herself," Ellyn said.
"May I ask who told you this?"
Ellyn hesitated, then said, "An anchoress named Irena. She said that we might be able to help the Lady Synadona."
The man smiled and shook his head sadly. "An anchoress? And what could a recluse know about the real world?" he said. "I assure you, young lady, that everything possible is being done for Lady Synadona. I, and I alone, have managed to keep her alive by my own magical arts."
"Magic!" Galahad exclaimed, his hand dropping to his sword.
"Yes," the man said. "I am called the Necromancer, and I am an enchanter of great skill. By my spells and potions and every other hidden art, I have succeeded in prolonging the Lady Synadona's life. But I will not have my science meddled with. You may not see her ladyship."
"But how could a visit hurt?" Beaufils asked mildly.
"You do not understand," the Necromancer said.
"I understand this, though," Galahad said suddenly, leaping from his horse, his sword in his grasp. "I am sworn to oppose magic and all the forces of evil!" With that, he plunged toward the door where the Necromancer stood, except that the magician was no longer there. He had disappeared in a roiling ball of green smoke that came rushing out the doorway. Without hesitation, Galahad threw himself into the smoke and disappeared.
"He is brave," Beaufils said to Ellyn. "You have to give him that much." Ellyn only stared, so Beaufils dismounted and took her hand. "Come on," he said. "Galahad may need help."
They walked into the castle through the already thinning smoke, and found themselves in a grand hall with corridors leading off in every direction, like the threads of a spider's web branching away from the center. The hall itself was empty.
"Now which way?" Ellyn asked.
"Don't ask me," Beaufils replied. "You're supposed to lead, aren't you?"
"Oh, bother. That's right," Ellyn said. "Very well. This way." Still holding Beaufils's hand, she led him down one of the passages. "What am I looking for?" she asked.
Beaufils grinned. "Isn't that what Terence told you to figure out?"
"Very funny," Ellyn said. "If you don't know either, just say so. All right, I think Galahad can take care of himself, so I'm looking for Lady Synadona. I don't know what's wrong with her, but I'll wager that Necromancer fellow is the problem, not the remedy. Let's go left here."
For several minutes she picked her way through a maze of halls, past dozens of doors. When she came to a choice of directions, she never hesitated but just chose a path and pressed on. Before long they heard the unmistakable sound of swordplay, and a minute later they came to an open area before a large door, where Galahad was locked in combat with two knights. To one side the Necromancer stood, wringing his hands and shouting, "Kill him! Kill him!"
But this clearly was beyond the knights' ability. Beaufils watched in awe as his friend fought with uncanny skill. Galahad was truly a wizard with a sword. He made no unnecessary move, was always in exactly the right place, and in another minute had disarmed both knights. They turned and fled down a hall. The Necromancer, meanwhile, had reached into his robe and drawn out a long, polished stick. Stepping behind Galahad, he raised the stick above his head. Beaufils didn't know what was going to happen, but he saw that Galahad was not watching, so he leaped between Galahad and the Necromancer—just as a glimmer of green light sprang from the tip of the stick toward him. Beaufils saw, but didn't feel, the beam of light hit him in the chest, then bounce away. "What was that?" he asked the Necromancer.
The Necromancer's eyes widened with fear, and he shrieked, "No!" Then, to Beaufils's considerable surprise, he picked up his long robes and scampered off down a corridor.
"Beau, are you all right?" shouted Ellyn.
"I think so," he replied.
"Didn't you feel anything? That magician just cast a spell on you."
Beaufils shrugged. "Not much of a spell." He turned to Galahad. "Well done, Galahad! I've never seen such skill."
"Much as I hate to say it," Ellyn said, "Beau is right. That was brilliant swordplay, Sir Galahad. Come on, then. Let's see what these knights were guarding." Striding briskly forward, she pushed open the door at the end of the anteroom and stepped in.
Following her, Beaufils entered a warm and cozy room, lit with the orange glow of a large fire and many branches of candles. There was a bed against the wall, with no one in it, and a plush chair by the fire, but it too was empty. Ellyn was also looking about the bare room. She caught Beaufils's eye and said, "I was sure we'd find her here."
Before Beaufils could reply, a soft female voice came from behind the direction of the chair. "Who are you?"
Then, as Beaufils and Ellyn watched in speechless awe, a long, scaley head appeared over the arm of the chair. Inch by inch, the head was followed by a long serpentine neck, which coiled up from the floor by the fire and wound itself around the chair. The creature's scales glinted in the firelight, orange and shimmery green and glossy black. Then, as the snakelike body rose higher, two knobby feet appeared, gripping the arm of the chair and pulling the body up to its full height.
"A dragon. It's a dragon," said Ellyn.
"Oh, is that what a dragon looks like?" Beaufils asked. "How lovely they are!"
"Saint George be my help!" came a shaky voice behind them. It was Galahad.
"Who are you?" the voice said again, and Beaufils saw the dragon's lips move. He hadn't known that dragons could talk, but then he looked into the creature's eyes and he was no longer surprised. They glowed with lively intelligence and a great, aching sadness.
Ellyn was also gazing into the dragon's eyes, and her face suddenly filled with sympathy. She stepped forward nervously. "Please, ma'am," she said. "My name is Ellyn. Can you help us find Lady Synadona?"
The dragon nodded her head slowly. "I am she."
"You? But you're a ... I mean ... have you always been...?"
"No," Lady Synadona said. "I was once a woman like you."
"Did that Necromancer fellow do this to you?" Ellyn asked indignantly.
The dragon shook her head. "Not really. Yes, he performed the spell, but at my request. It was why I brought him here. I wanted power. I wanted people to fear me. And now I can barely face what I have become."
"Can you ... I mean, is there any way that you could be..."
"Restored? Yes, there is one hope, but it will never happen."
"What is the one hope?" Beaufils asked.
Lady Synadona bowed her head. "There is, in a different world, a great king named Arthur, who is surrounded by great knights. The spell over me can only be broken if I am kissed by the son of Arthur's greatest knight."
Beaufils smiled broadly. "Lady Synadona, I have some good news for you." He gestured at Galahad. "Allow me to introduce Sir Galahad. Galahad is the son of Sir Lancelot, who everyone says is Arthur's greatest knight."
Ellyn's mouth dropped open, and her eyes began to shine. She looked beseechingly at Galahad. "Sir Galahad," she said. "This must be why we've been sent here."
Galahad's face twisted in an expression of disgust. "You want me to kiss that thing?" he asked.
Ellyn looked steadily at him. "Yes, please, Sir Galahad." Then, after a brief pause, she knelt on the floor. "I beg you, sir, to do this. Kiss this dragon and rescue Lady Synadona."
Galahad stared at Ellyn, and for a second he hesitated, but then his face grew hard again. "No," he said harshly. A humorless smile spread over his face as he shifted his gaze to the dragon. "You were clever, but I know who you are now."
The dragon looked sad, but she only said, "I have not lied to you, sir. I am no more than I said I was."
"You are that same fateful serpent who seduced our mother Eve and thus brought evil upon mankind! Now you seek to lure me also into temptation." Galahad raised his sword. "Stand back, Beaufils. I shall rid us of the Temptress forever."
"No!" shouted Ellen, but Galahad had already leaped forward, his arm striking out with blinding speed. Beaufils, moving just as quickly, caught Galahad's arm but was only able to check the blow partially, and the sword bit into the dragon's neck. Bright red blood spurted from the wound, and the dragon made a low moaning sound. Galahad snatched his arm from his companion's grasp and with a heavy blow cuffed Beaufils across the face, knocking him down. From the floor, Beaufils watched with horror as Galahad raised his sword for another blow, but then Galahad froze. Ellyn had thrown herself over the dragon, shielding her from Galahad's second strike.
"Very well, Lady Ellyn!" Galahad declared, lowering his sword. "The monster will die soon anyway. I have now at last defeated her. I have destroyed the Temptress!" With a cry of triumph, he rushed from the room.
"After him, Beau!" Ellyn shouted. "Bring him back. He must kiss her! I'll try to stop the bleeding."
Beaufils nodded and ran from the room, chasing the echoes of Galahad's receding footsteps. He dashed for what seemed forever, but was probably only a few minutes, through the web of corridors, coming out into the great entrance hall just in time to see Galahad dive through the door. Beaufils sprang after him, plunging over the threshold and throwing himself onto Galahad's running form. They both went sprawling in the dust outside the palace.
"Stop, Galahad!" Beaufils said. "You have to come back! Lady Synadona needs—"
He got no further. His words were drowned out by a deafening crash and rumble, louder than a clap of thunder, followed by a thick cloud of dust. Beaufils released Galahad and looked about in wonder, but he could see nothing in the storm of dust that swirled about. At last the air cleared, and before Beaufils's stricken eyes appeared a peaceful meadow by a river, and nothing else. Lady Synadona's castle was gone.