human
Whom hast thou with thee, O last courtier of the Court of the Kradendas?
gpt
A young squire, O my liege the King, who will devote his life to rescue the house of the Kradenda from infamy and harm,
human
He is young, but our need is great. Above all, we need brave men. We need such men as have made Alsander what it is. Tell me, he continued, turning to Norman,
gpt
You should humour him, whispered the old man to Norman, who, astonished at the whole scene, and especially at this antiquated and abrupt form of address, did not know what to reply.
human
He is in the middle ages. For him this hall is still hung with cloth of gold, but he knows that his courtiers have left him, and fears treachery--and, above all, magic. He is a brave man, my liege the King,
gpt
Let him speak for himself, then, and do not whisper so much to him in my presence. Sir stranger, are you afraid of dragons?
human
Of none,
gpt
O well, O very well, said the King.
human
I have need of the strong and resolute. Too long has my kingdom lain in ashes and ruin; too long have I been pent up in this dismal room, a powerless captive, I, the son of the Kradendas! I tell you there has been foul treachery and foul black magic. But it shall end. I will no longer be the sport of a thing who flaps his wings in my face. But his hour has come. No more scales and fins for me. Listen closely. I will whisper to you the vital secret. I had it in a dream. You have only to hit him in the fifth rib. But, whatever you do, do not let him change his shape. You can catch him this evening. Wait behind the curtain. He comes here always at seven o'clock to play chess with me, squares and squares and squares.
gpt
I will be there in waiting.
human
Will you take an oath to be bold in my cause, to fight for me, and to serve me faithfully, and my Queen?
gpt
I will have every care of your Majesty and of your Majesty's kingdom,
human
I think you are not of this country, observed the King.
gpt
Come you from North or South, or from the rising or from the setting?
human
From the North, your Majesty,
gpt
Fair scion of the North, I will swear you have no lies upon your lips. What is your name?
human
Norman, if it please your Majesty.
gpt
And are you Knight?
human
I am but squire, your Majesty.
gpt
Then, my deliverer, since for years no one has cared for my ruined Majesty, save this, my last, my oldest, my only courtier, for my leech I count not; since you alone have proffered your service to a deserted and broken King, I am filled with good intentions towards you and propose to bestow upon you now at this moment the ancient and honourable distinction of knighthood, that you may bear me homage. Once more, will you swear to serve me faithfully?
human
Oh, certainly,
gpt
Then kneel,