"Ah, so this is why I return to find England in such a state," said Robena. "This is why I return to find castles burned and filled with bones left to rot 'neath the falling rain. This is why I return to find cursed knights who fight to kill, heedless of safety or sanity, beneath a tournament flag. This is why I return to see the shadow of fear in the eyes of the common folk, why laughter halts and joyful girls have grown to be haunted women. Because, it seems, that even though [i]chivalry[/i] is dead, [i]courtesy[/i]," she almost spits the word, "is enough to keep the blades of the people's defenders sheathed. Of course you have no quarrel with Pellinore. She treated you [i]kindly[/i], and what is mere England in comparison?"

Her hand tightened around the haft of her axe.

"And now I am asked by a coward knight to explain to [i]other[/i] coward knights what chivalry means? You would have me [i]debate[/i] them to the side of righteousness as the Greeks do? How about this? If they are such cowards as you make of them, and they love you as much as you say, then [i]you[/i] convince them to throw down their swords and stand aside before they face the ruin of my axe."