` Bid the man come before me , ' cried Gwrnach , when the porter had told his tale , ` for my sword stands much in need of polishing , ' so Kai passed in and saluted Gwrnach the giant . ` Is it true what I hear of thee , that thou canst burnish swords ? ' ` It is true , ' answered Kai . Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him . ` Shall it be burnished white or blue ? ' said Kai , taking a whetstone from under his arm . ` As thou wilt , ' answered the giant , and speedily did Kai polish half the sword . The giant marvelled at his skill , and said : ` It is a wonder that such a man as thou shouldst be without a companion . ' ' I have a companion , noble sir , but he has no skill in this art . ' ` What is his name ? ' asked the giant . ` Let the porter go forth , and I will tell him how he may know him . The head of his lance will leave its shaft , and draw blood from the wind , and descend upon its shaft again . ' So the porter opened the gate and Bedwyr entered . Now there was much talk amongst those who remained without when the gate closed upon Bedwyr , and Goreu , son of Custennin , prevailed with the porter , and he and his companions got in also and hid themselves . By this time the whole of the sword was polished , and Kai gave it into the hand of Gwrnach the giant , who felt it and said : ` Thy work is good ; I am content . ' Then said Kai : ` It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword ; give it to me that I may take out the wooden sides of it and put in new ones . ' And he took the scabbard in one hand and the sword in the other , and came and stood behind the giant , as if he would have sheathed the sword in the scabbard . But with it he struck a blow at the head of the giant , and it rolled from his body . After that they despoiled the castle of its gold and jewels , and returned , bearing the sword of the giant , to Arthur 's court .
They told Arthur how they had sped , and they all took counsel together , and agreed that they must set out on the quest for Mabon the son of Modron , and Gwrhyr , who knew the languages of beasts and of birds , went XXXXX them .
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