"Certes," saith the knight, "Never yet was I so glad of any tidings I
have heard, and well know I that he that slew him is not lacking of
great hardiment."
The knight departeth from Perceval, but the lion had wounded his horse
so passing sore in the quarters that scarce could he go.
"Sir Knight," saith Perceval, "Go to the hermit in the Deep Forest, and
say I bade him give you the destrier I left with him, for well I see
that you have sore need thereof, and you may repay him in some other
manner, for rather would he have something else than the horse."
The knight goeth him much thanks of this that he saith. He cometh to
the hermit the best he may, and telleth him according as he had been
charged, and the hermit biddeth him take which destrier he will for the
love of the knight that had slain the evil-doer, that did so many evil
deeds in this forest.
"And I will lend you them both twain if you will."
"Sir," saith the knight, "I ask but for one of them."
He taketh Aristor's horse, that seemed him the better, and straightway
mounteth thereon, and abandoneth his own, that might go no further. He
taketh leave of the hermit, and telleth him he will right well repay
him, but better had it befallen him and he had not taken the horse, for
thereof was he slain without reason thereafter. A knight that was of
the household of Aristor overtook him at the corner of the forest, and
knew his lord's horse and had heard tell that Aristor was dead,
wherefore he went into the forest to bury him. He smote the knight
through the body with his spear and so slew him, then took the horse
and went away forthwith. But, had Perceval known thereof, he would
have been little glad, for that he asked the knight to go for the
horse, but he did it only for the best, and for that he rode in great
misease.