But Sir Galahad's Dead

"What do you mean, I’m not worthy to receive it?" I said incredulously.

The Grail knight nodded in reply. "That’s right," he added. "The Grail may only be given to the Knight of the Round Table who can correctly answer the question. ‘Whom does the Grail serve?’ Your reply is insufficient and thus shows that you are unsuitable to be charged with its keep."

I waved my hands around as if to show him the desolate countryside that Britain had become. "Sir, have mercy. We need the Grail to heal the Land. If you don’t hand it over to me, you will be condemning everyone to Hell on Earth."

The Grail knight nodded. "I know."

His serenity started to get my goat. It was fine for him safe within the Grail castle in his immaculate armour and surcoat and no doubt receiving three square meals a day. Well, outside, the world was different. In these evil times, summer was now like winter and winter like God knows? The sun barely shone and the rain when it fell was ice cold. Disease and famine stalked the land slaying hundreds as they went. So, far praise the Lord, I had avoided the former. On the other hand, I had not eaten in three days.

"Well, who is worthy enough to receive it?" I demanded in exasperation.

"Only, Sir Galahad."

"But, he’s dead, damn it! I of all people should know that. I buried him not a week ago."

"That may be so, but only Sir Galahad can receive the Grail." Silence hung in the air whilst the knight pondered his words. Then, he continued. "You suffer from the sin of pride, Sir Perceval. The manner in which you have come here without due reverence, expecting to be given such a sacred relic just like that clearly demonstrates it. If you would but acquire a little humility, you would come closer to the excellence of knightly virtue that Sir Galahad was such an example of.

"Now, please go. There is nothing for you here."

He turned and walked back into the Grail castle. For my part, I watched as the drawbridge was raised, still hoping that he might relent. He did not, but for a while longer, I stared at the unyielding edifice before me. Then, I too turned and left. If the forces of Good would not help then maybe the forces of Darkness would!

The path across the mudflats was narrow and thus, it was with great difficulty that I led my horse along it. Nevertheless, I had little choice. To have left him behind on the mainland would be a death sentence. The catastrophe that had struck Britain had left many dead unburied. With such a glut of food, wolves were now so numerous that they were a serious menace even to us Knights.

Finally, we reached our destination, a squat, rugged tower in the middle of a small island. After tying my horse to a ring on the lee side of the tower, I went to the small wooden door on one wall. The wind that blew across the sea was chillier than the one at the Grail castle. But that was not the reason I stood there shivering. For a moment, I wondered whether this really was a good idea. Then, I reached out and opened the door The Grail knight may have accused me of pride. He had not accused me of cowardice!

Inside, there was a single room with a ladder in one corner leading up to the next floor.