Book 5, Canto 8 Summary

Artegall and Talus come upon yet another damsel in distress (this one being pursued by two knights who are in turn pursued by a third). The lady runs to Artegall for protection. One of the two knights turns to face the following knight and is killed. Artegall kills the second knight, then he too begins to fight the third. The lady intercedes, and the situation unfolds. The third knight is Arthur, who was trying to rescue the lady. The lady is Samient, maid to the queen Mercilla whose kingdom is bothered by an evil man Souldan, and his wife Adicia. Samient was sent as an envoy by her queen to seek terms with Adicia. The evil woman wanted nothing to do with her and tossed her out, then rethought her strategy and sent two knights after her to bring her back...