Page 12 (1/2)

Erec rode fro of the first sun to the tiradually becaed rocks were replaced by fine pebbles, then these replaced by smooth, white shells, and Erec kneas, finally, approaching a city He started to see people pass hi their heads ide hats from the summer heat The road beco hi oxen or riding on carts Judging from the nu Savaria, the stronghold of the South It was a city fanificent horses, one that Erec had heard much about, but had never had a chance to visit It was fa co the bride of his choice Wo to be picked, and knights of fa to win

Erec figured it would be a good place to begin his Selection year He did not expect to find his bride here, so soon, but he thought, at the very least, it would keep his jousting skills sharp Being the king&039;s hand, the finest knight in the kingdom, Erec had no doubt he could defeat any adversary It was not hubris, just knowledge of his own skills compared to others It had been years since he had been defeated by anyone Whether he could find his bride was a different story

Erec climbed a hill and as he reached its peak saw, spread out below hireat city, with castles, parapets, spires, steeples and a brook running before it It was framed by an ancient wall, as thick as two men Savaria It was a beautiful city, quaint, not nearly the size of King&039;s Court, yet still substantial It was built low to the ground, its buildings allfro in the site, he spotted a lookout, high up on one of the towers, a boy dressed in the red and green colors of the South The boy jumped to his feet, waved frantically towards Erec, and blew a long tru&039;s Guard, and as Erec watched, the e was raised There was an excited shout, and two horses ca out towards him

It occurred to Erec that members of The Silver rarely journeyed this far South, and that the arrival of one would be hailed as a &039;s Court And the fact that it was Erec - the &039;s chareater stir He could already see, even fro crowd on the towers, the anticipation in the soldiers galloping out to greet him

The soldiers pulled to a stop before hireeted him with smiles froe," one of thereat honor to have you here! We have had no visitors fros you to us?" asked the other "Is it the festival?"

"It is," Erec responded "It is my Selection Year, and I&039;hed in response

"That I can understand," one of them said "I failed to choose byned a bride I lah "Not a day passes when she doesn&039;t nag me to death, that she does not rehed

"My selection year comes up next season," said the other soldier "I hope to find soun my journey," Erec said "I don&039;t know that I will find my bride here But I would like to see your city And I will join the tournaood-naturedly "Our Duke will be thrilled at your presence It would be a great honor if we can acco&039;s hand is a ates!"

Erec laughed

"I aht"

"Hardly, e," the other said "We&039;ve heard tales of your conquests far and wide"

"I just perfor else But that said, I would be honored for you to accompany an trotting down the road, to the looks of wonder of the growing crowd, alih the ate of Andalusia, Erec was struck by the throngs of people that came out to see him They rode into the city center, a wide stone plaza, framed by ancient stone walls, and as they did, the Duke rode out to greet hi with the before Erec, hoping to catch his eye Each was more beautiful than the next Erec could hardly believe it All this attention, just for him It made him feel more famous than he felt entitled to

As the Duke approached, Erec re&039;s Court, at a royal event He was a tall and lean allant look Beside him, Erec was happy to see, was one of his brothers-in-arht with on ion, and seeing hiether one too reen eyes and blond beard, Brandt looked exactly as he had when Erec had last seen hio

Brandt&039;s face lit up in a s with the Duke Erec jumped down from his, and Brandt hurried up to him

"Erec, you son of a h "I never thought I&039;d see you &039;s court!"

Brandt eht I&039;d see you either, old friend"

"We are thrilled to have you here!" the Duke said, e him with a hearty clasp of the forearm "It has been many years since we lastthe King himself!

"GUARDS!" the Duke turned and yelled over his shoulder

Several guards rushed forward