Book 2 Summary

Book 2 recounts the tragic story of Balin le Savage and his brother, Balan.

Arthur has established his stronghold and castle called Camelot. A messenger arrives from the Lady Lile of Avelion, bringing a noble sword that could only be removed from its scabbard by a knight, "a passing good an of his hands and of his deeds, and without villainy or treachery, and without treason." None of Arthur's knights, nor Arthur himself, can pull the sword from its sheath, until a poor knight named Balin le Savage that had been in Arthur's prison for killing a knight pulls it out.

The bearer of the sword predicts that Balin will "slay wit the sword the best friend that ye have, and the an that ye most love in the world, and the sword will be your destruction." Arthur apologizes to Balin for his imprisonment...