The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris Page A

coils of snakeskin around her neck fell with silky softness over her, and a beautiful fair-haired woman stood before them. Only the faint sheen of her dress reminded them of the serpent that had been there a moment before.
    Terence swallowed hard. The woman before him had hair of a different color and in some inexplainable way looked younger, but otherwise was almost identical to the woman he had seen in the pond.
    Gawain continued pleasantly, "Trollop. Tor, Sir Marhault, this is my old auntie, Morgan Le Fay."
    "Wretch," Morgan hissed.
    "We have met," Sir Marhault said stiffly. The woman laughed, and Gawain looked at Sir Marhault with understanding dawning in his face.
    "Of course, I should have guessed. Who but my dear auntie would have put you through so much pain? You really are a witch, you know, Morgan."
    "I prefer sorceress, little nephew," she smiled. "And which of you two knights had the honor of breaking my spell and humbling this coxcomb?"
    "I did, vixen," Gawain said.
    "You? Tsk tsk, will wonders never cease? And just yesterday you were a grubby little brat." She smiled and added, "But we women mature so much sooner, don't you think?"
    Gawain's eyes twinkled, and he bowed. "Will you lunch with us today, Auntie?"
    "No, no, Marhault would never permit it. Actually, nevvy, I'm here to help you. I have a bit of advice." Terence stiffened, and Gawain shot him a quick glance.
    "Indeed?" Gawain asked pleasantly. "But I should have guessed. You've always been so thoughtful. Less of it, dear! What are you really up to?"
    "It is true that I've never shown much interest in you, Gawain—and who shall blame me? Your knightly ideals nauseate me. But you're not the worst of my relations, after all. So, I've put myself out for you today. You are to travel due east. Immediately. That's all." A second later, she had disappeared. The knights looked at each other for a long moment. Then Sir Marhault spoke, "Your aunt, you say."
    "My mother's youngest sister." Gawain turned back toward camp. "Well, here's where we part."
    "You don't mean that you're going to do what she said?" Sir Marhault demanded, loathing in his voice.
    "What would you have me do? If I didn't, I'd spend the rest of my life wondering what would have happened."
    Tor smiled. "Must you go it alone, Gawain? I'm rather at loose ends at the moment. Mind if I join you?"
    "And I?" Sir Marhault said promptly. "Whatever devilment your aunt is up to, you may be glad of the extra sword."
    Gawain nodded. "Come along, if you like."
    And so, within the hour they were off. Again they followed the narrow forest track that had led them to the meadow. Gawain and Terence led the way, slowly pulling ahead of the others.
    "It looks as though your messenger was serious, Terence," Gawain said quietly.
    "Yes, milord," Terence replied.
    "But it doesn't tell us whether he meant us good or evil. Morgan is just as likely to have dealings with the Unseelie Court as the Seelie. You can never tell with her. I've seen her turn a man to dust for rudeness, but I've also seen her gathering wildflowers with a child."
    And then the dark path brightened, and the little cavalcade burst out of the forest into a bright, sunlit clearing. In the center of the clearing was an ancient stone well with wild carving all over it. Behind the well, three white mares were saddled, and on a bench nearby sat three ladies in flowing silken robes. One was an ancient lady with a fine network of wrinkles on her neck and face, but with a bright, piercing gleam in her eyes. The second was a lady of about thirty-five or forty, with a look of experience but with a quiet beauty that had been untouched by time. The last lady was no more than nineteen years old and was strikingly beautiful.

7. Alisoun the Bloodthirsty
    Terence rode behind Gawain and the young beauty, listening to her inexhaustible flow of inconsequential conversation. The three had been riding for over two hours, and not once in that time had the lady—Lady