"Choose, young knight. Take me and I will bring you power and glory. You have but to serve me, and me alone. If you reject me then a merciless killer will conquor instead. You can prevent this. Think of the lives that will be saved if you give yourself to me." Sir Robert swayed. What was he to do? Could he condemn millions to die to save himself, or should he take the sword? The voice spoke again "What does your honour demand? Surely you must protect the weak withought thought for yourself?"

That last settled it. Sir Robert's decision was made. "I must serve the Lady of the Lake - not you. I must defend the domain entrusted to me - not seek to conquor vast lands. I must protect the weak and fight for the right - not enslave them to my will, or yours. I ust always fight the enemies of virtue and order - how could I do this while serving Chaos? I must never give up the fight until the foe are defeated - I will fight you to the last breath in my body. I must never break faith with a friend and ally - how could I conquor Bretonnia withough doing so? I must always display honour and courtesy = I see little honour in serving you, only grubbing for power. I am not de Swandle to fall for your glamours. I know that the folk of Bretonnian and the Empire would rather die in flames than live under the dominance of Chaos. I reject your offer."

He released the sword and suddenly sawa gain. De Swandle's body fell across him, the blade breaking beneath him as he fell. There was a shriek as the daemon was banished, then he sank into unconciousness.

As Sir Robert led the charge, Donal to his left aimed his spear at the horseman to de Swandle's right. He took his opponent's lance on his shield, but the force of the blow knocked him. As he fell, he struck out with his spear, striking his opponent in the thigh. Donal went of the back of his horse and landed badly, striking the back of his head on the ground and loosing consciousness.

His opponent reigned his horse in and examined where the spear had hit him. A little further up and it may have slipped under his chain-mail skirt, but as it was it had scored the plate but had not pierced. He glanced down at Donal and, satisfied that he would play no further part in this battle, looked around to see where he might be welcome.

Johannes had taken the rider to de Swandle's left. On the charge, both had broken their lances but neither had unseated the other. Now they drew their swords and charged back together. They traded blows, with Johannes slowly getting the upper hand. Then he heard a gallop of hooves behind him. He raised his shield and just managed to catch a blow from Donal's opponent that would have severed his shoulder.