Episode 14: Rinaldo and the Weeping Knight Rinaldo, one of the most valiant of Charlemagne's Paladins, has become lost in the wild country of Orrgagn~a. While trying to find his way home, Rinaldo encountered a damsel in distress named Fiordiligi. She was seeking aid to rescue her lover, a knight named Brandimarte, from an enchantress named Dragontiina. Dragontiina had an enchanted garden near the River of Forgetfulness, where she would entrap wandering knights with her magic spells. Rinaldo readily agreed to do what he could to help Fiordiligi. As they travelled, Fiordiligi told Rinaldo a story of some events which had recently happened in her home city of Babylon. There were two knights, Iroldo and Prasildo by name, who were both in love with the same lady. This lady loved Iroldo, but did not wish to cause Prasildo pain by rejecting him. She decided to give him at least a false hope, by telling him that she would be his if he performed a certain task for her, which task she believed to be impossible. To make this lengthy story shorter, suffice to say that Prasildo unexpectedly succeeded. The lady went to Prasildo, though unhappy to leave Iroldo. When Prasildo realized her grief, he released her from her promise and sent her back to Iroldo. Iroldo, however, was so overcome by this act of courtesy on Prasildo’s part, that he told his lady to stay with Prasildo, and left Babylon to wander the world. Fiordiligi did not have time to finish her story, however, before she was carried off by a fierce centaur which suddenly attacked them. Rinaldo defeated this centaur, but not before it threw Fiordiligi into a swiftly-flowing river, where she was swept out of sight. Unbeknownst to Rinaldo, she was extracted from the river, but not by any kind-hearted rescuer. She has fallen into the hands of another evil sorceress, this one named Faleriina. But of this, more anon... Meanwhile, Rinaldo, riding through the woods, comes to a pleasant clearing, where he sees a knight sitting by a fountain, weeping. That baron wept so hard and long a dragon would have pitied him. He did not see Rinaldo come beacuase his tear-stained face was lowered. Rinaldo was quiet, observing the actions of the grieving man. He understands that he is sad, but can't distinguish his soft words; so he dismounted from his steed and greeted him with courtesy. He asked him then the reason why he made laments like that and cried. The doleful baron raised his eyes. He watched Rinaldo for a while, silent, then said, "Knight, my misfortune is urging me to suicide. But by my faith and God, I swear that's not the reason I'm so sad. In fact, I'd just as soon face death as any more amusing quest. The thing that makes my heart so sore is what must _happen_ if I perish. A courteous, bold cavalier will have no hope -- he'll die with me. "A trip of twenty days from here a great and noble city stands, once queen of all the Orient; the city's name is Babylon. "There, was a damsel, whom I loved. In all the world, in all the lands the sun warms and the sea surrounds, there's no sight lovelier than her. In those sweet days when I was young, I once possessed the lady, and my will was so conjoined with hers, _my_ heart was hidden in _her_ breast. "I yielded her to someone else, a baron who was named Prasild. Imagine how that tortured me! it hurts worse losing such a thing than wanting and not having it. As if a portion of my soul were severed from my heart by force, I waste away; I die, alive! "The sun has run its pathway twice; In short, through four and twenty moons, forever weeping, wretched, I, a wanderer, have roamed the earth. The span of time, the many trials that I endured in distant lands have lessened the despairs of love that scorched me to my very bones. Prasild, to whom I left the girl, was such a good and gracious knight that I'm still pleased I lost to him; I'll always be pleased, if I live. "My history continues: I roamed through the world in my despair and, as false Fortune wished, arrived in this dominion called Orrgagn~a. A lady governs this domain, a sorceress named Faleriina, because its ruler, Poliferrno, has joined with Agrrican to win the daughter of King Galafron, the beautiful Angelica. "This damsel who controls the realm is practised in deceit and fraud. With her false face and pleasing words, she welcomes every traveler; but later when they try to leave, they try in vain -- they find no means; they are condemned to die most cruelly. "The wicked Faleriina, who now calls herself Queen of Orrgagn~a, has a resplendent, fertile garden, fenced by no moat or thorny hedge-- a sheer wall, rising like a cliff, circles it in a single ring. None pass inside, unless on wings. "Where the sun rises, in the east, that stone wall's broken by a door. A dragon's always at the portal, feeding on human flesh and blood; for it is given everyone they apprehend in this strange country-- and these days they catch all who enter and send them where the dragon feeds. "Now, in this region, as I said, I was deceived and put in chains. I spent four months inside a prison teeming with cavaliers and women. I can't tell you how sad it was to see ourselves in such distress. "Each day, the dragon ate a pair of us, as destiny arranged. Each of our names was written down, each maiden and each cavalier; two names were chosen every day, and these became the dragon's feast. "Now while I was imprisoned there, I gave no thought to getting out. Misfortune, which _had_ battered me, made things still _worse_-- and gave me help. "Prasild, that courtly cavalier for whom, in grief, I'd left my lady and my sweet, native, Babylon, had heard of my unhappy fate-- I'm still not certain how he learned. By night and day he made his way and, bringing treasure, slipped unknown into the confines of Orrgagn~a. "There that great baron set himself to work on schemes for my release: he tried to bribe the prison guard with gold if he would let me go, and when he tried this plan and failed, and neither prayers nor bribes availed, he then arranged -- by wealth or words -- that *he* should die to save my life. So I was plucked from prison while Prasild was chained within my place. To save my life, he seeks his death. See how good -- courteous -- he is! "Today's the day of his sad fate. He will be brought to that foul spot where the beast eats unfortunates. Soon he will pass here, so I wait. And though I know, and know for certain, that I, alone, _cannot_ save him, I want to let the whole world know how much I owe that noble heart by paying back what he deserves. Therefore, when he is led along, I'll fight whoever brings him, even if it's a mob a thousand strong. "And when that rabble murders me, my death will be a joyous thing, for I will fly to Paradise and live, in that world, with Prasild. But when I think of the pain he'll bear, torn into pieces by the dragon, I greatly grieve that I can't prevent it." And saying this, that cavalier inclined his tearful face to earth. Rinaldo, hearing his sad story, tenderly wept along with him. Then, spirited and courteous, he offered comfort -- and him_self_, telling him "Baron, have no doubt, this friend of yours _can_ still get out. "If the crew leading him here were _twice_... what it is, I wouldn't care. They're less than bits of straw to me, and on my oath of chivalry I _swear_ I'll cut him loose so fast that none of them will feel assured that they've escaped death at my hands until they reach Orrgagn~a's border." The other sighed, looked at the baron, and said to him, "Knight, please be gone! Please go-- I really do not want for you to stay on my account. The heavy heartbreak that _kills_ me is not, as I said, _your_ concern. I cannot now, as is my custom, properly show my gratitude for your stout heart, the help you offered-- may the gods bless you and all good men. "The Count Orlando is not here, nor is Rinaldo, his stout cousin. For others it is work enough to match a _single_ champion: despite ourselves, we are _lone_ men. Words-- are just words; let's talk no more." Rinaldo said, "I'm *not* Orlando, but nonetheless my offer holds. I do it not for glory, or reward or recompense from you, but only since it seems to me that you two are the truest pair of friends the world knows, or has known! I would be honored to be third. "You let him have the girl you loved, and were thus stripped of your delight. He jailed himself for you, and you, without him find life odious. You'll never end your friendship, while alive or in the afterlife. _If_ you must both be killed today, I want to join with you to die." While they were talking in this way, a large brigade of men appeared, leading two people to be slain. Some had no hauberks, some no mail, and some had unprotected legs. They were all rogues and tavern bums. The man in charge was the worst one. This man was known as Rubicon. His legs resembled heavy beams. That wastrel weighed six hundred pounds, and he was beastly, proud, and strong. He had a beard as black as coal. A scar cut right across his nose. His eyes shone red, though one was blind. No sunrise ever found *him* hungry! Rubicon led a maiden forth, in chains and on a palfrey horse, and then a knight of courtly manner, tied up like her, no less no more. Rinaldo sees those ambling steeds, and that bright baron recognized the lady Fiordiligi, whom he but lately had escorted, who'd told to him Iroldo's story. She'd been snatched from him by the centaur, then fallen captive to Faleriina. Rinaldo now wastes no more time, but jumps into his horse's saddle. Just look at those _pathetic_ men, at least a thousand on the plain. They saw Rinaldo closing in and most of them began to run. Iroldo mounted his own horse, and he unsheathed his shining sword, while Rinaldo charged at Rubicon. He was the only one to fight; all of the other men took fright. This battle had a rapid end: Rinaldo swiftly swings his sword and cuts right through that portly waist. Now he attacks the others, storming. Sometimes he stops assaulting, and pauses to revel in their fear. He chops clean off the heads of four, then severs to the waist two more, laughing and trifling as he fights, all the while slashing arms and legs. Iroldo, though, now leaves the battle, after he'd left sufficient dead, and rides to release the captive pair. Happier than he's ever been, he hugs Prasildo. He's overcome, he cannot speak, and as one does in times of joy, he offers tears instead of words. Rinaldo, almost two miles gone, still chased the terror-stricken mob. Meanwhile the others stood amazed, at seeing Rubicon on the blood-red ground, cut quite in half, his arms sliced through. Examining that mighty stroke, they said it was no man, but _god_, whose sword could sever such a body. Rinaldo now rode back to them. He had accomplished much destruction. Both of the barons joined their hands and kneeled, as to a deity. With rapid words, with great devotion, they said, "O heaven's king, Macon! In mercy you have come to earth to help us in our tribulation! You've come down from the shining sky and shown your face on _our_ account, O savior of the human race, for whom you proffer endless grace, please give the two of us a sign that you have sanctified our lives, that we deserve, as our reward, to enter your eternal realm!" Rinaldo was disturbed to be the object of such adoration; but soon the baron was amused to hear the simple, foolish way the two knights called him Lord Macon. Modestly, he responded to the pair, "This false belief -- reject it! I come from earth, the same as you. My body and this skin are dust. My _soul_, however, comes from Christ. You should not wonder at the strength his mercy has conceded me. He kindles virtue -- or dims it. And the faith that my heart admits, which comes from right and pure belief, calms every fear the spirit feels." Rinaldo makes them understand his nature as a Paladin; and then he preached our holy faith and told why Christ took human form. To tell you true, he spoke so well, he made them Christians, for they loved him. Iroldo and Prasildo both renounced Macon and all false error. The three of them addressed the damsel: they showed her several reasons why _she_ should accept the new belief; they _proved_ Macon's falsity. She was as wise as she was fair; therefore, contrite and with devotion, she was made Christian by Rinaldo, who baptized them all at a nearby spring. He then explained, in a fine speech, that he desired to seek the garden that made so many miserable, the keep of the sorceress Faleriina. He asked them to suggest the path. Quick was Fiordiligi's answer: "May Holy God keep you from such thoughts! Her spells have such amazing strength you won't win anything but death. I have a book which describes this garden, shows it drawn to scale. For now, I'll merely tell to you the strange adventure at the gate. That garden's bound on every side by rock so strong and hard and high, a thousand of the best workmen with picks can't loose a single stone. "A tower, on the eastern side, contains a polished marble gate. A dragon at the entrance waits. It has not slept since it was born; it guards the gate through every season. Anyone trying to get in must fight this dragon first, but then there's more to do when it is beaten. "Once in, that portal _locks_ itself-- no one has ever passed _back_ through. One must begin another duel, as now, untouched, the south gate opens, and the bold bull that guards it comes out of the earth. One horn is iron, the other flame, and both of them so very sharp they tear through hauberks, plates and shields. "But if, by chance, this beast is killed, which surely would take luck and skill, that portal, like the first one, shuts. Now, to the west, another opens, against whose guard there's no defense: a donkey whose tail is as sharp as a sword. Its lengthy ears enfold its foes. Its hide is made of metal plates that shine like gold, but can't be cut. When it's alive, the door stands open; when it is dead, the door is gone. "But soon, my book reveals, a fourth door opens which you must approach. This portal corresponds to north. Here force and courage play no part. Here a portentous _giant_ stands, guarding the gate with sword in hand, and _if_ a knight should murder him, his _death_ gives _birth_ to *two* more giants-- two grow from where the first one died! And from these two, if killed, come four; from four, eight; and from eight, sixteen. And so on to infinity their numbers grow. This is no lie. "By God, don't venture on this quest! You'll gain nothing but distress. The many cavaliers who've gone in there are _dead_; _none_ have returned. If you still want to show your strength, to try another knightly feat, you're better off to come with me and do a deed most merciful-- the one I told you of before. You _swore_ you'd come with me as my champion, to free Orlando and the others from evil Dragontiina's Garden, at the River of Forgetfulness." Rinaldo paused a while to think, not answering the maiden, since attempting Faleriina's strength was the thing he wanted most on earth. The baron's not at all afraid to hear the danger there is great. The more difficult the task, the more pleasing to him, and honorable. However, he _had_ given her his word, and when he thought of that, it pressed him strongly. He _wants_ to save Orlando, who _is_ his good friend and his cousin. Moreover, he was sure that he - some other time, when he desired - could locate Faleriina’s garden enter it, conquer it, and leave. And so, at last, he set out with the maiden and the cavaliers. They traveled morning, noon, and night, on mountains, plains, and unknown paths. Quite soon, they reached the lonely spot where the Garden they sought *used* to stand: nothing remained but bare, flat land. You've heard before, in tales of mine, how that splendid garden was unmade, and Orlando and the rest were saved. But Fiordiligi hadn't known, nor knows now, what has happened here. She'd hoped that she’d find Brandimart, her lover, trapped within the garden. With stout Rinaldo's noble help, she’d meant to free him from those spells. Now, riding through the shadowed forest, they see a man along the road, dressed in full armor, galloping like someone truly terrified, on a steed that he mistreated by kicking it hard on either side. The rider quakes, his face is white. Everyone asked him for his news, but could not get him to respond. He often looked behind his back, but finally, with his tongue and heart both trembling, in a fearful voice, he said, "Curse King Agrricane's lust for beautiful Angelica! For it was his desire that sent so many to their untimely deaths. With countless other lords, I camped with Agrricane at Albraka. We drove away King Sacripant; we had the city in our _hands_. Only the castle keep remained. And then, Angelica returned, with nine knights in her company, to try and take her city back. "Among them, I knew King Ballan, Oberto dal Leon, and Brandimart-- but there was one bold knight, of matchless skill, who I knew not. *He* chased us off the field _alone_, killed Rradamant and Sarritrron, and five kings more, all by himself. I saw (and I can see it still) Pandrragon chopped in two across his chest with both arms cleanly off. "After I saw that monstrous blow, I ran as fast as e'er I could. I almost wish that I were dead, for *still* I hear him at my back. God keep you, *I* will wait no more. I do not think that I'll feel safe until I reach my home again, lift up the drawbridge and bar the doors." The frightened soldier said these words, then fled along the shadowed road. The damsel and the cavaliers deeply considered what they'd heard. It seems to them that that bold baron must be none other than Orlando, for only he had such great valor. He, and the other knights they seek, must all have gathered at Albraka. They wonder yet how those knights escaped from the peril of the magic garden, and each one for the same thing yearned, to go, and see what could be learned. If you're as curious as they, then listen, on another day.