I, King Hermance, King of the Red City, thus
am slain by felony and treason, through two knights of mine own, and of
mine own bringing up and of mine own making, that some worshipful
knight will revenge my death, insomuch I have been ever to my power well
willing unto Arthur's court. And who that will adventure his life with
these two traitors for my sake in one battle, I, King Hermance, King of
the Red City, freely give him all my lands and rents that ever I wielded
in my life. This letter, said Ebel, I wrote by my lord's commandment,
and then he received his Creator; and when he was dead, he commanded me
or ever he were cold to put that letter fast in his hand. And then he
commanded me to put forth that same vessel down Humber, and I should
give these mariners in commandment never to stint until that they came
unto Logris, where all the noble knights shall assemble at this time.
And there shall some good knight have pity on me to revenge my death,
for there was never king nor lord falslier nor traitorlier slain than I
am here to my death. Thus was the complaint of our King Hermance. Now,
said Sir Ebel, ye know all how our lord was betrayed, we require you for
God's sake have pity upon his death, and worshipfully revenge his death,
and then may ye wield all these lands. For we all wit well that an ye
may slay these two traitors, the Red City and all those that be therein
will take you for their lord.

Truly, said Sir Palomides, it grieveth my heart for to hear you tell
this doleful tale; and to say the truth I saw the same letter that ye
speak of, and one of the best knights on the earth read that letter to
me, and by his commandment I came hither to revenge your king's death;
and therefore have done, and let me wit where I shall find those
traitors, for I shall never be at ease in my heart till I be in hands
with them. Sir, said Sir Ebel, then take your ship again, and that ship
must bring you unto the Delectable Isle, fast by the Red City, and we
in this castle shall pray for you, and abide your again-coming. For
this same castle, an ye speed well, must needs be yours; for our King
Hermance let make this castle for the love of the two traitors, and so
we kept it with strong hand, and therefore full sore are we threated.
Wot ye what ye shall do, said Sir Palomides; whatsomever come of me,
look ye keep well this castle. For an it misfortune me so to be slain
in this quest I am sure there will come one of the best knight