But though it seemed so close it was not until the evening of the third day that they really drew near to it , and in front of it a flock of sheep was spread , so many in number that there seemed no end to them . A shepherd stood on a mound watching over them , and by his side was a dog , as large as a horse nine winters old . ` Whose is this castle , O herdsmen ? ' asked the knights . ` Stupid are ye truly , ' answered the herdsman . ` All the world knows that this is the castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr . ' ` And who art thou ? ' ' I am called Custennin , brother of Yspaddaden , and ill has he treated me . And who are you , and what do you here ? ' ` We come from Arthur the king , to seek Olwen the daughter of Yspaddaden , ' but at this news the shepherd gave a cry : ' O men , be warned and turn back while there is yet time . Others have gone on that quest , but none have escaped to tell the tale , ' and he rose to his feet as if to leave them . Then Kilweh held out to him a ring of gold , and he tried to put it on his finger , but it was too small , so he placed it in his glove , and went home and gave it to his wife . ` Whence came this ring ? ' asked she , ` for such good luck is not wont to befall thee . ' ` The man to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here in the evening , ' answered the shepherd ; ` he is Kilweh , son of Kilydd , cousin to king Arthur , and he has come to seek Olwen . ' And when the wife heard that she knew that Kilweh was her nephew , and her heart yearned after him , half with joy at the thought of seeing him , and half with sorrow for the doom she feared . Soon they heard steps approaching , and Kai and the rest entered into the house and ate and drank . After that the woman opened a chest , and out of it came a youth with curling yellow hair . ` It is a pity to hid him thus , ' said Gwrhyr , ` for well I know that he has done no evil . ' ` Three and twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden slain , and I have no more hope of saving this one , ' replied she , and Kai was full of sorrow and answered : ` Let him come with me and be my comrade , and he shall never be slain unless I am slain also . '
And XXXXX it was agreed .
after by from into on so that though unless with