_How it was told to king Mark of Sir Alisander, and how he would have
slain Sir Sadok for saving of his life._
Then one of those knights departed unto king Mark, and told him all how
Alisander was made knight, and all the charge that his mother gave him,
as ye have heard afore time. Alas, false treason, said king Mark, I
wend that young traitor had been dead. Alas, whom may I trust? And
therewithal king Mark took a sword in his hand, and sought Sir Sadok
from chamber to chamber to slay him. When Sir Sadok saw king Mark come
with his sword in his hand, he said thus: Beware, king Mark, and come
not nigh me, for wit thou well that I saved Alisander his life, of
which I never repent me, for thou falsely and cowardly slewest his
father Boudwin traitorly for his good deeds. Wherefore I pray almighty
Jesu send Alisander might and strength to be revenged upon thee. And
now beware king Mark of young Alisander, for he is made a knight. Alas,
said king Mark, that ever I should hear a traitor say so afore me. And
therewith four knights of king Mark drew their swords to slay Sir
Sadok. But anon Sir Sadok slew them all in king Mark’s presence. And
then Sir Sadok passed forth into his chamber, and took his horse and
his harness, and rode on his way a good pace. For there was neither Sir
Tristram, neither Sir Dinas, nor Sir Fergus, that would Sir Sadok any
evil will. Then was king Mark wroth, and thought to destroy Sir
Alisander, and Sir Sadok that had saved him, for king Mark dread and
hated Sir Alisander most of any man living. When Sir Tristram
understood that Alisander was made knight, anon forthwithal he sent him
a letter, praying him and charging him that he would draw him to the
court of king Arthur, and that he put him in the rule and in the hands
of Sir Launcelot. So this letter was sent to Alisander from his cousin
Sir Tristram. And at that time he thought to do after his commandment.
Then king Mark called a knight that brought him the tidings from
Alisander, and bade him abide still in that country. Sir, said that
knight, so must I do, for in mine own country I dare not come. No
force, said king Mark. I shall give thee here double as much lands as
thou haddest of thine own. But within short space Sir Sadok met with
that false knight and slew him. Then was king Mark wood wroth out of
measure. Then he sent unto queen Morgan le Fay and to the queen of
Northgalis, praying them in his letters that they two sorceresses would
set all the country in fire, with ladies that were enchantresses, and
by such that were dangerous knights, as Malgrin, and Breuse Sance Pité;
that by no means Alisander le Orphelin should escape, but either he
should be taken or slain. This ordinance made king Mark for to destroy
Alisander.