Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!decwrl!decwrl!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!gatech!usenet.ufl.edu!cybernet!news From: wolvie@cybernet.cse.fau.edu (christopher motherway) Subject: Story: Night for a knight Message-ID: Sender: news@cybernet.cse.fau.edu Organization: Cybernet BBS, Boca Raton, Florida Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 16:12:21 GMT Lines: 144 Lance and Blaze were sitting quietly in the Inn while tales were being tossed about the room. Word got to Lance's ears that this had been going on since the night before and that dinners were being given for some of the best. Lance did not really care much for the meal, but he just could not stand to wait any more; he HAD to tell a tale of his own! He considered retelling the tale of how he and his group stopped Raoh the Conqueror (he had told the tale once or twice before, but most of the patrons were new this night), but then Blaze whispered a suggestion in his ear. Lance then looked at Blaze as if to say, "Are you certain? It is not my best tale." Blaze looked back as if to say, "Why not? _I_ am always intriuged by that story." Lance thought for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, and wait a minute until the last tale was fininshed. When the applause was silenced, Lance stood up, picked up his mandolin, and sat on an unoccupied barstool. He started strumming lightly as he intoduced his tale. "As most of you are aware, I am a knight from a faraway kingdom. And, as I am certain most of you also know, before a squire can become a knight, he must kept a vigil over his armor throughout the night. Well, the night before I was to take my place amongst the King's Royal Guards, I had an especially interesting evening of my own." Lance then started strumming his mandolin in ernest as he told his tale. Most of the people were awestruck when the air above them seemed to open up into a magical window, with images of the tale. Lance made certain not to mention his last name or the name of his former kingdom; since he was considered a sort of an "outlaw" in Wolverton, he always feared people rejecting him by finding out what he had done. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = It was a crisp winter's night, yet unusually warm. The Royal Temple stood before me as I carried my armor toward the front doors. The armor was designed by my father and built in the town's blacksmith shoppe. It was light but strong, non-confining but sturdy. I had been waiting many-a-month to finally step into it. But I dared not. Not until the King had placed his sword across my shoulders and had dubbed me "Sir Lance." It was the very year I turned twenty-one years of age, the typical age when starting knighthood. From age five to age eleven, I had acted as a page for Sir Darwing, a fine fighter and musician. He was the one who taught me how to play the mandolin, though I had none of my own then. For the next ten years, I was Sir Darwing's squire, carrying his weapons into battle and to many a tournament. My days passed by quickly, cleaning stables, horses and armor, playing chess, learning fighting techniques and music, and a little of martial arts on the side. Every day, I grew stronger, wiser and more determined than ever to become like Sir Darwing: a Royal Gaurdsman, defending the castle from all harm. For, next to my father, I love my King the most in this world. Finally, the night of the vigil had arrived. I entered the temple to meet with the bishop, thanking the gods that I had rested well this day so that I would not nod off in the middle of the evening. The bishop smiled at me, knowing that the King had placed much favor on me, and that, by morning, I would be gaurding the castle like Sir Darwing, who had been killed in battle just that week. I placed my armor before the alter and knelt. The bishop informed me to take the time to confess my sins, and that by sunrise, he would return. He then left me in my silence. I clasped my palms together and, quietly confessed my sins. And, I must tell you, there were many of them! I knew of the twelve point of chivalry (correct spelling, mind you :) ), and, in my life and times as a squire, I was certain that I had broken each and every one of them. I prayed for forgiveness and to better follow those points as a knight. The vigil went on. I stayed awake, carefully watching my armor, and sipping from a cup of water the bishop had left behind. Then, as the gibbous-moon slowly started to sink, I sighed in relief. After the moon had set, I thought, it would only be an hour before the sun rose and my vigil would be complete. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the temple's front doors. That is odd, I thought, for certainly whoever was out there KNEW the temple does not open until sunrise. The knocks became louder. I decided to ignore it as best I could, and continued praying. Then, the door was knocked off its hinges. I turned fast to find armored men at the door. I recognized the coat-of-arms: these men were from a kingdom which was the sworn enemy of my own! "Well, well," the apparant leader stated, "A young squire standing vigil! We've come for your armor, boy!" I quickly grabbed my sword and said, "You cannot have it! I will not allow you to interrupt my vigil over it! I am sworn to protect it until sunrise, and protect it I will!" The men moved forward. I counted three of them. This was the first time I had fought more than one man at one time, but I knew I was ready for it. The men were excellent fighters, almost as if they were trained to fight as a team. I had a difficult time fighting them off. But, when one of them made a dash for my armor, I leaped at him and tackled him to the ground. I quickly ripped off his helm and placed my sword against his throat. "Halt! Or this man meets his creator!" The two men stared at my wild eyes as the sword got closer to the man's throat. Then, I looked upon his face. I found that I was threatening the life of the King himself! The King laughed and applauded as his two companions, who were ALSO Royal Gaurdsmen clapped as well. The King explained that this was a standard test to all new Guardsmen; he wanted to make sure I was prepared! "You have done well, my young squire. You have succeeded; see, the sun rises! At noon today, my boy, you will be a knight!" A tear run down my cheek as His Highness and the Gaurdsmen left. And I knew I had done Sir Darwing proud! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Blaze's smile was the biggest of the patrins as the tale ended. ADMIN: Do NOT flame me for any mispellings, OK? Chris Wolvie ================================= In Movie: "The positive rod is called the..." 'CATION!' "And the negative rod is calle the..." 'ANION!' In theater: "And what can't I tell my butt from?" 'A HOLE IN THE WALL!' -Mystery Science Theater 3000 "Earth vs. the Spider"