The horse Gawain rode was fast, and he caught up with Lancelot within a day.
It was already late at night.
"Sir Lancelot!" Gawain called out to him, mustering his weary voice.
Lancelot stopped and looked back.
A blond-haired young knight was riding toward him in a sorry state, panting heavily.
Lancelot narrowed his eyes and made out the young man on horseback in the moonlight. "I remember you... Sir Gawain? The knight the King newly appointed at yesterday morning's council?"
Gawain finally caught up with Lancelot. A faint smile appeared on his tired face, and he nodded. "Thank you for remembering my name, Sir Lancelot!"
Lancelot nodded. "I remember the names of all the kingdom's knights. What brings you here...?"
He could tell that Gawain wasn't very skilled at riding, given his age. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so exhausted.
Fortunately, he had a good horse, which had carried him all this way.
Even so, the horse was worn out too.
"Master Merlin, the court mage, suggested that if I wanted to grow stronger, I should come find you."
"Master Merlin..." Lancelot thought for a moment.
Master Merlin was his father Anno's only friend. The other knights of Britain, even the King, treated Anno more like an elder.
"So my father sent you?" Lancelot had clearly misunderstood.
Merlin's way of doing things was unpredictable. He had only mentioned this matter in passing to Anno.
Of course, Anno hadn't objected.
Lancelot smiled at Gawain. "In that case, come with me to the Non-Human Realm..."
"Yes!" Gawain looked delighted.
"But!" Lancelot looked at the young, almost childish knight. He felt reluctant, but still said firmly, "You should know what kind of place the Non-Human Realm is."
Gawain nodded. "I understand, but I fear nothing."
"A knight with a sword in hand,