Further adventures of the Knights - Page 2

JonPop · 04-18-2009, 06:05 PM

About five feet from shore, Sir Jayhawk removed his boots and socks, stepped over the side of the boat into waist deep water, grabbed the prow and pulled the boat up on the rocky beach. As the remainder of the Knights pulled the boat further onto the rocks and well above the water line, King Arthur stopped them in what they were doing, walked up the rocks away's and said, "Sir Knights and Mister Kingpole, let us touch our knees to the land upon which we now find ourselves and thank our God."

The Knights and King Arthur kneeled down and King Arthur said, " Thank you Lord God for our safe journey and our triumphs in battle. Thank you Heavenly Father that we now stand on this Island, safe, from our voyage. Please guide us through the quest we now undertake and bring us ALL safely back to this spot. Amen."

The Knights all echoed , "Amen."

While the Knights were unloading the supplies into knapsacks to be carried, King Arthur took Sir Hairtrigger aside and said, "Sir Hairtrigger, I want you to select one other Knight to go with you to hide this. Do not tell me whom you select."
He held out the device that had locked the ship. He continued, "I am King Arthur and if captured I would never deny my identity. If I don't know where this device is, no amount of torture could get me to reveal it's location. If this device fell into the wrong hands, the Far Search could be seized and all would be lost. I trust that you will guard this location with your life." Sir Hairtrigger said, "I will your majesty." King Arthur turned to gather his knapsack and Sir Hairtrigger pondered whom to select.

JonPop · 04-20-2009, 10:30 PM

Once the landing party got past the rocks on the beach, they found the going relatively easy.
the scrub turned into grasslands with a scattering of oaks and chestnut.

Mister Kingpole had set a course due North which would take them to the foothills and petrified forest, surrounding the base of Mt. Olympos. They could clearly see the mountain in the distance, they judged about 30 kilometers.

They were making good time and by early evening had consumed most of the distance. King Arthur decided that they would rest and spend the night among the Mediterranean pines and start again at first light.
Sir McB was selected to clear an area of pine needles and start a fire. The rest of the Knights gathered dead branches and rocks to contain the coals. With a fire going to ward off the chill of the evening, a pot of water going to brew tea and the three rabbits that Sir Robin had brought down with arrows, roasting over the fire, they made piles of the thick needles to throw a blanket on to serve as a bed.

After a hearty meal of roasted rabbit and bread from their knapsacks, Sir JonPop broke out a flask of rum and each Knight and the King all had one shot each. They sat around the fire and talked a bit, assigned Sir Iguana and Sir Stillwantmore to the first watch and settled in for some much needed sleep.

JonPop · 04-21-2009, 05:42 PM

The further they traveled, the steeper became their climb. They had to stop frequently to rest, as their legs and feet were aching from the mostly unused muscles. They were totally surrounded by the pine forest now and Mister Kingpole was taking constant compass readings to keep them on course.

It was odd and a little spooky that they hadn't seen any sign of life for the last few kilometers, No sightings of the birds, rabbits or squirrels that had been plentiful further down the hill.
They could no longer see the mountain for the trees.

The rocks became strange shaped, glistening with many colors and some shaped like trees made of stone. This in it 'self was worrisome as they wondered what great magic had done this.

The Knights again stopped to rest and Sir Bret pulled from his knapsack the writings of Sappho and asked, "Do you think that we might be here?"

The passage read, "But now, in accordance with your sacred utterance, lord king, let there be silence throughout the sacred precinct of the headland of the White Rock."

The Knights all agreed that this could well be the explanation for the utter silence that now surrounded them.
Sir Bret replaced the scroll and after a brief meal of cold meats, bread and a hearty drink of water, resumed their climb.

lifted · 04-21-2009, 09:24 PM

How come im not in this story that dingbat Kingpole is, hehehehehe!

JonPop · 04-21-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lifted

How come im not in this story that dingbat Kingpole is, hehehehehe!

Because Kingpole is better looking and much smarter than you.

JonPop · 04-22-2009, 10:12 PM

They emerged from the pines and stood looking in awe at the marvel before them. Stretching ahead for some three or four kilometers to the base of Mt. Olympos, was a wondrous sight.
What had been a thriving forest hundreds of thousands of years ago was now a jumble of petrified trees.
Some still standing twenty or more meters high.
Sir Stud said, Man, will y'all look at that. Those trees are harder than my dick." Which got a laugh from everyone and broke the spell.

King Arthur used the telescope to scan the base looking for any indication of a cave or a shiny white rock.
Seeing nothing, and seeing no easy route through the petrified trees, decided to stay on the same Northerly course.
It was tricky going as they had to climb over massive downed trees and ground that was slippery and looked as if it had been melted in places. It was getting late in the day and everyone was tired and hungry.
They decided to spend the night between a rock and a hard place and get a fresh start at first light.

There was an abundant amount of scrub brush growing amongst the rocks, so a nice fire was built and the last of their fresh oranges were divided up and eaten with hard tack and jelly. A large pot of tea was a welcome boost as the climb had their muscles very sore.
Sir Kdub, took his fiddle from his backpack and Sir JonPop broke out the harmonica and the cool night air was filled with a few Scottish Jigs.

They heard a huge sound.......

Betterman · 04-23-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonPop

Sir Kdub, took his fiddle from his backpack and Sir JonPop broke out the harmonica and the cool night air was filled with a few Scottish Jigs.

Open the link top of page. Quicktime plays MIDI files.

The Laird o'Cockpen

CUSP82 · 04-23-2009, 01:31 AM

Don't you think that there would be a little part for a cute little gnomme named cusp who could use his big rod (staff) to guide the knights through a mountain pass or something! I may go to thunders place afterall. I'm sure I'd get a part there!

JonPop · 04-23-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betterman

Open the link top of page.

The Laird o'Cockpen

Aye, too bad ya didn't have the music, now lad.
You'll have to ask Sir Kdub if he knows this little ditty.

JonPop · 04-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUSP82

Don't you think that there would be a little part for a cute little gnomme named cusp who could use his big rod (staff) to guide the knights through a mountain pass or something! I may go to thunders place afterall. I'm sure I'd get a part there!

A gnome named Cusp....hmmm. If you go to Thundersplace, you will die.
You won't make it across the draw bridge.

JonPop · 04-24-2009, 06:36 PM

The music stopped. The Knights sat or stood looking at one another.

Sir Remek was the first to speak and said, "What was that?" Then everyone tried to speak at once.
Sir Stud said, "Sounded like one time when my girl Betsy farted, only louder."
That didn't even bring a chuckle. Everyone was straining against the dark to see or hear something....Suddenly. "WHOAREYOU?"
The sound rolled off the mountain and echoed across the forest. The Knights drew their swords and swiveled around trying to find the source of the sound. King Arthur climbed up on top of one of the bigger logs so as to see all around and said, "I am King Arthur from the Kingdom of BetterMan, here with my brave Knights of the Round Table. We have come in peace to de cypher and find the true meaning of the pomes of Sappho."

The voice softer this time, said, "You need not be afraid tonight, your Highness, sleep well and we will talk in the morning."

The Knights and the King slept not at all that night.

JonPop · 05-18-2009, 02:00 AM

At first light, the Knights that had managed to fall asleep were roused by King Arthur and Sir JonPop.
Sir Stud had a fire going and water boiling for tea.

They heard, "King Arthur and Sir Knights, do not be afraid, I will reveal myself now."

From around a rock stepped a smallish man, no taller than 4'. He saw the Knights smile and a few chuckled. He said, bowing low to the King, "Your majesty, my name is Cusp and as you can see, I am a Dwarf." The King said, "And who was the one that spoke in such a booming voice at dusk, last night?"

Cusp laughed and said, "I shall show you," and begin leading the King and Knights to a small clearing where was set up, what appeared to be a very large Alpine horn on a tripod. Cusp continued, "This is what I use to make my voice so loud. I have become a legend here, the people all fear the sound and stay away. Some have proclaimed me to be a Cyclops, but as you fine gentlemen can see, I have both eyes and am not nearly big enough." He laughed heartily at this.
King Arthur said, Well my smallish friend, you certainly had us awake all night." And laughed himself.

Cusp said, "I have been keeper of this mountain for over 20 years, now. I was given the task after the Cyclops named Kal that had been here for over a hundred years, died. He had told me over and over how he didn't believe in God and that no God would make him as what he was. He became so bitter and depressed that he finally threw himself from the 'White Rock."

King Arthur said, "It is the White Rock that we seek, would you guide us Mr. Cusp?
Cusp replied, "Please King Arthur, my first name is Cusp, I never use my last name which is Salamander. (Which brought fourth loud laughter from the Knights.) Cusp, looking a little hurt said, "Yes, I will guide you and your Knights if first you answer a question."
King Arthur, looking sternly at the Knights who stopped laughing said, Of course Cusp, ask your question."

JonPop · 05-19-2009, 07:43 PM

"Your Majesty and esteemed Knights, I wish to know the real purpose of this quest. Although I know of this Sappho, as I followed her one day without her knowledge. She went to the cave of Kagiani and I followed behind, being very quiet that she might not know my presence. She stopped just inside the cave entrance and said loudly, "Oh great God of beasts, the Mighty Lifted, please allow me entrance into your sanctuary that I may drink from the cool spring waters that you have guarded and protected for so many centuries."
From my hiding place, I could not understand the response from the beast, but Sappho, seemed quite reassured.

She went deep inside the grotto, taking many turns and finally deep into the bowels of the mountain, came to a pure, crystal clear spring.
I watched in fascination as she bent low and with her hand, scooped water and drank deeply. There was an immediate transformation in her. She became more beautiful, vibrant and took on a luster that was not present before. She filled a large flask that she carried, stopped as if listening and, as if sensing my presence called out, "Who is there." I remained in concealment and held my breath.
Finally, satisfied that she had not been observed, turned and made her way back through the twisty route to the entrance. I watched as she slowly returned the way she had come.

To my knowledge, Sappho has not written any pomes, at least none that have been made public. That you say that your quest is to de cypher the pomes of Sappho, is to my mind, a falsehood."

JonPop · 05-19-2009, 09:25 PM

King Arthur knelt down to look Cusp in the eye and started to say. "Yes, Cusp you are..."
Cusp interrupted the King by saying, "Your Highness, I am a man not a child. Please stand and address me as you would any other man."

The King, looking extremely embarrassed rose to his feet and said, "I am sorry that I might have offended you Cusp, please accept my apologies." The King continued to stand there torn between anger and a desire to placate this small man. He had never been addressed in this manner and found it rather disconcerting.
Sir Pegasus stepped forward and said, "My King, may I have the privilege of answering Cusp's question?" King Arthur looking somewhat relieved said, "Yes Sir Pegasus, as I have forgotten what I intended to say."

CUSP82 · 05-20-2009, 02:51 PM

I made it! I have a purpose, a meaning to life! I am now somebody. I have identity, value, justification to my menile existence. I have found my place! (AND THIS PLACE IS NUTS!-BUT I LOVE IT!)

JonPop · 05-20-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUSP82

I made it! I have a purpose, a meaning to life! I am now somebody. I have identity, value, justification to my menile existence. I have found my place! (AND THIS PLACE IS NUTS!-BUT I LOVE IT!)

Don't get too cocky there my friend. You have never been able to get back into the cave yourself, because of the Monster "Lifted." What makes you think that you can guide the Knights? AND...What do you expect as a reward?

JonPop · 05-20-2009, 11:59 PM

Sir Pegasus looked at Cusp and realized he must choose his words carefully. He begin by saying;

"Aye mate it is true, we seek not only the White Rock, we also seek the cool spring waters that you have described.
The pomes of Saphho have not yet been read, as they were given to us by a mighty warrior by the name of Slanker. The clues in these sonnets are what have led us to this island.
The pomes will be returned to Saphho, without her knowledge that they were ever gone, after our quest is finished.

We, my brother Knights and our gracious King Arthur were given the task of obtaining small vials of the magical waters.
If you will lead us to the cave of Kagiani and to the source of this spring, we shall give you any reward within our powers. The wizard Slanker can return you to a time before the Cyclops Kal killed himself and you would be free from your duties of guarding this place. Or, we can offer you untold wealth in gold,
or passage on our mighty ship to go where ever you please. We only ask that you take us to the spring."

Cusp looked Sir Pegasus full in the eyes and said, "I don't believe this nonsense that you could return me to the time before Kal killed himself. This would have to be proven to me before I will move another step."

Sir Pegasus turned and looked at King Arthur with a look that said, "I have done my best."
King Arthur strode forward and said, "Yes, I will prove to you that this can be done."
The King, lifted his right arm upward and said, "Oh mighty wizard Slanker, return the man, Cusp to a time in the past that he might see of what we promise."

Suddenly, Cusp was gone and within a minute, he was standing four feet away from his previous spot, with an incredulous look on his face. He fell to his knees and wept openly, saying, "I have been home with my wife and children just as I left them, before I was made to live alone here guarding this sacred place. I had a full day with my family when suddenly I am again here, with you."
Tears streaming down his face he said, "If I take you to the place that you seek, will I be able to go home to stay?"
King Arthur placed his hand warmly on Cusp's shoulder and said, "Yes Cusp, you will never have had to be here. You will be able to remain with your family."
Cusp said, "I will lead you, but I must warn you that the cave of Kagiani is guarded by a hideous monster.
I have never been able to re-enter the cave since I last followed Sappho. Any that were brave enough to proceed after I tried to scare them away, never returned from the cave. But I will help you succeed in your quest for the reward that you offer."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:38 AM

The knights returned to gather their knapsacks and gathered around Mister Kingpole to again look at the map of Lesbos. Kingpole did not like that Cusp was to be in charge of leading the trek, and insisted that Cusp show him on the map, exactly where they were to go.
Cusp said, "This is a very good map Mister Kingpole, where did you acquire it? Kingpole beamed at this and said, "Why, my small friend, I spent many months drawing this map and it is one of my proudest works."
Cusp replied, "Yes, it is very beautiful, well done and obviously done by a master cartographer. This would be of good use to find a town or some such, but it does not show the place that we must go."
Kingpole was crestfallen at this, rolled up his map and walked away from the group, muttering to himself.

The going was slow as the Knights had to wait for Cusp and his short legs to climb over some of the bigger petrified logs.
It was very late in the morning when they came to a canyon between the two mountains.

Cusp said, "I have traveled this route many times over my years but It will difficult, if not impossible for some of the larger Knights to squeeze through some of the places we must enter. I would suggest that we stop for a rest and if you could spare a little food, eat now and then leave everything else but your weapons, behind."
Sir Jayhawk had gone a little ahead and came back saying, "What he says is true, the way is very narrow and we will have to crawl on our knees and our bellies in some places." He turned to Cusp and said, "Is there not another way that will not be so confined? I fear getting stuck and trapped."
Cusp said, "We could possibly find another route, but it might take days to go around." King Arthur said, "It might be better if we proceed with only the smaller of the Knights, Sir Jim, Sir JonPop, Sir B'man, Sir Robin and a few of you that aren't so large." The King continued, "The rest will wait here, and if we haven't returned by sundown two nights hence, you will return to the ship. Sir Hairtrigger will retrieve the unlocking device. You will wait onboard the ship for one week, if we haven't returned in that time, you will set sail for home."

The Knights removed food from their Knapsacks, started a small fire to brew tea and shared with a very hungry Cusp. He said, "I have been brought food and other offerings from the townspeople, but mostly it is just thrown on the ground as they are too afraid to venture far into the forest. It is mostly spoiled by the time I find it and I am very tired of living off what I can trap. This English tea is a wonderful thing to me." As he sat sipping a mug and eating the hard tack biscuits.

Finally, King Arthur stood and said, "It is time to go, I will lead and as I am larger than most of the smaller Knights, if perchance I get stuck and can proceed no further, you can pull me out and I wIll return here to wait.
I trust that the Quest would be successful even without my presence."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:41 AM

Cusp in the lead, was having no trouble sliding between the rocks and the canyon walls, King Arthur following behind was, with much cursing, grunting and sweating and the Knight behind carrying his sword and a little pushing, managing to squeeze through the tightest spots.

About mid day, they came to a huge canyon, with walls stretching up a thousand feet. Cusp said, "We are through the hard part and are within an hour of the cave entrance."
The Knights stripped off their clothing and entered the stream that ran along the canyon floor. They were caked with dirt and sweat and were taking great delight in frolicking in the cool water.

Cusp looked with envy at the large penis' of the Knights and said, "My wife is a Dwarf also and even smaller than me. I Don't know what she would think if I had a dick like that." The Knights all laughed and said, "It wasn't always so, Cusp, we have applied exercises that have made our dicks grow larger than they were." Cusp said with some excitement in his voice, "Do you think I could also make my dick bigger?"
Sir JonPop answered, "If you can get us through this quest and back to our friends, I will teach you the exercises before you are returned in time."

Sir Robin gave a shout and held up an arrow, that was stuck through a good sized fish. He said, "Well lads, looks like we have lunch."
There was not much brush growing in the canyon, but with what they could gather and some dried reeds, were able to cook the three fish that Robin had speared. After all the fish had been eaten and the fire put out, King Arthur was anxious to get to the cave and the magical spring. But in the back of everyone's mind was the dreaded monster, "Lifted."

While they feasted on the fish, Cusp had told them what he knew of the monster. He said, "The monster had been the guardian of the cave for as long as history had been recorded. No one knew how he had come to be or what it was that he had been charged with guarding. He surmised that it was the spring that you seek, the one that Sappho, led me to. I saw the monster only briefly when I again tried to enter the cave after I had followed Sappho.
He is a hideous creature, large, with a long spiked tail and massive claws and huge teeth. I ran as fast as my little legs would carry me back out the entrance, and thank the Gods that he did not follow me from the cave. I never again tried to return."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:42 AM

The Knights made quick work of the last few kilometers. During the walk, Sir Jim, following close behind Cusp, suddenly stopped and pointed ahead and to the right. He said, "Behold gentlemen, the White Rock." There, jutting out from the cliff face was a huge rock that was so white, as to hurt the eyes to gaze upon.
It extended high out over what appeared to be a very deep pool. King Arthur said, "Well, men, it looks like our quest has taken us to the right place." He called to Cusp to ask, "How far to the entrance to the cave now?"

Cusp answered, "Just around the bend in the cliff, about 500 meters past the rock."
King Arthur, squinting back at the sun said, "We have maybe three hours of daylight left, I say we push on and see what is in store for us at the cave." The Knights, tired of walking said, "Yes King Arthur, we shall push on."

The cave was not easy to spot as it was recessed behind some jutting rock. The cave entrance was at least 30 meters high and at the very entrance about 50 meters across.
Sir JonPop asked the question, "How are we going to see once we get inside?" Cusp said, "Many months ago, after I had followed Sappho here, I had made many torches from the needles of the pines soaked laboriously in sap from the chestnut trees they will give us light for over two hours.. I thought I might be making many journeys into the cave, but the monster Lifted, changed all that. The torches are hidden just outside the entrance and I will retrieve them."
Sir B'man said, "And how far into the cave did you get before the monster chased you out?"
Cusp said, "Not far, maybe one third of the way to the spring." King Arthur said, "We may not get even that far as we are many and easier to detect. I say we try to lure the monster out into the cave entrance where we might have a chance to kill it." The Knights agreed that this might be best as Sir Robin with his bow might be able to hit a vital spot.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:44 AM

Cusp in the lead, they slowly made their way around the out cropping of rock to the cave entrance.
They gathered against the far wall and looked inside. Seeing nothing, King Arthur picked up a rock and threw it as far as he could into the cave. The Knights and Cusp all dove for the lip of the cave and timidly looked to see what the sound might bring. Nothing. They threw several more rocks with the same result, no sign of the monster "Lifted."

They climbed to the floor of the cave and stood listening for the faintest sound but again, there was nothing. King Arthur and Sir JonPop decided to light one of the torches and throw this into the cave. It landed about thirty meters inside and burned brightly, casting Erie shadows. Finally, the Knights all tried yelling loudly and then beat a hasty retreat back to the lip of the cave, peeking over the edge.
King Arthur asked Cusp, When you tried entering the cave again, you said you got about a third of the way to the spring. Did the monster come from in front of you, from deeper in the cave? Cusp said, "Yes King, if he had come from behind me, I wouldn't be talking with you right now." The King held back his anger and went to discuss their next move with the Knights.

Entering the cave, there were two tunnels that lead in different directions. Cusp said that when he had followed Sappho, he made small marks on the walls at each turn or cross tunnel that would take them to the spring.
With Cusp in the lead and Sir Robin with his bow at the ready, was following. King Arthur, holding a torch was third with the rest of the Knights trailing behind. Every other Knight had a lighted torch with the rest carrying a spare.
Try as they might, it was impossible not to make noise that seemed very loud in the confined space.
Several times, Cusp paused and searched for the mark he had made. He said, "I have never gotten this far since I followed Sappho. I think we are over half way to the spring."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:46 AM

At the camp, the remaining Knights were getting restless. It was mid morning and still no sign of their brothers or King. They had rotated every two hours, one knight, at the entrance of the crevasse that the smaller Knights had entered, who would shout out every half hour, "Can you hear me?"
They had been doing this since first light.
Sir Stud was sitting, watching a shadow being cast by a stick, to judge the time when suddenly....."Sir Stud!"
He turned, startled, jumped up and hit his head as he recognized whom had spoken.
Grabbing his head he said, "Sir JonPop, what the fuck...How did you get by me man?"

Sir JonPop said, "Captain Remek was good enough to bring me back to this point in time so that I didn't have to make the journey back from the cave and do all that crawling." Sir Stud said, "Where is everybody else?"
Sir JonPop said, "I don't know. The last thing I remember is being in the cave and then being aboard Captain Slankers ship with my left arm missing." He held out his left arm and flexed it and said, "Seems good as new."

They made their way back to where the remaining Knights were sitting around a small fire. They all jumped up at the sight of Sir JonPop and Sir Bret, giving him a huge hug said, "Where is the rest of the party?"
Sir JonPop began to recount the story.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:48 AM

King Arthur told Cusp to, "Lead on as they were this far, there was no turning back now."

They came to a cross tunnel and Cusp looked nervously before passing, checking his marks. Sir Robin went past as did King Arthur.
Sir JonPop was just at the tunnel entrance when something charged out, grabbed his arm, threw him against the far wall and proceeded to rip his arm off. Blood went spurting everywhere. The Knights behind, retreated a ways back and prepared for an attack. Sir Robin whirled around and said "DUCK!" He let loose an arrow over the crouching King and hit the beast in the side of the head. The monster turned and charged at King Arthur with it's mouth wide open. King Arthur jammed his torch in the mouth just as Sir Robin fired past the Kings shoulder and hit the beast in the left chest. The Knights behind had attacked with their broad swords, hacking and stabbing deep into the monsters back. Suddenly, the monster "Lifted" just melted into a pile of dust. They returned to the cross tunnel and there was no sign of Sir JonPop, just a vast amount of blood. They lit the remainder of their torches and King Arthur said, "We can only hope that he is in the hands of Dr.Sweety and Captain Slanker." They turned, to push on to the spring.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:50 AM

Sir JonPop found himself standing in the ship of Captain Slanker with Dr. Sweety applying pressure to his shoulder. He was getting very light headed from the loss of blood and remembered being placed in a regeneration tank and nothing after, until he was awakened.
Dr. Sweety helped him out of the tank, helped him dry off, with an admiring glance at his very large penis.
She gave him the clothes he had been wearing, cleaned and mended, he put them on.
Captain Slanker entered the room and said, "Sir JonPop, it is good to see you awake, how is the arm?"
Sir JonPop said, "It's fine, like nothing happened, how long was I asleep?" Captain Slanker said, "Over three months. It was a tough one, as we were not able to retrieve your left arm as it had been swallowed by the monster, we had to grow you a new one." Sir JonPop was very surprised to hear this and said, "I am amazed that you could do this. In my time, I would have been dead. You and your advanced technology are almost like god's. You can journey in time, see the past, the present and future. Tell me Captain Slanker, are we successful in our quest and do we make it back to the Kingdom of BetterMan?"

Captain Slanker said, "I cannot tell you this Sir JonPop, the events have to play out. We are not allowed to change or influence the decisions that will be made or the trials that will befall your King and his Knights.
We can only intercede in a situation like this, because history shows that you did not die in a cave on the Island of Lesbos." Captain Slanker continued, "We will see you again at the end of your journey, Sir JonPop."

Suddenly Sir JonPop was standing behind Sir Stud and said, "Sir Stud."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:51 AM

The Knights led by the Dwarf Cusp, had no further troubles and reached a large grotto with the most beautiful, clear spring. Sir B'man stooped down to scoop water and was stopped by Cusp. He said, "Sir Knight, I don't know if it would be wise to drink from this water, I don't know what effect it would have on you.
I saw a transformation in Sappho but I don't know what it would do to a man."

Sir B'man said, "I am very thirsty as I have not drank since the stream in the canyon, I will try this and see what happens." King Arthur yelled, "Stop." "Before you dip your hands into this water, I want you to fill all of the flasks we have carried. I want you to do this carefully, not touching the water with your hands. These were the instructions from Captain Slanker." All of the Knights passed forward the flasks that every Knight had been given at the start of this quest, less the two that Sir JonPop had carried.
Sir B'man, very carefully removed the stoppers and outer wrappings, and without touching the water slowly filled each flask and replaced the stopper and re-wrapped the flasks. These were passed, equally back to the Knights. Sir B'man replaced the two he had been carrying, back in his pocket.
He then scooped with two hands, a large drink of the magical water and drank deeply. He did this several more times. He sat back on his heels and said, "This is the most delicious water I have ever tasted, it feels almost ice cold on the tongue and in the belly. It is clean and sweet and very refreshing." The Knights gathered around and observed to see if there would be any changes in Sir B'man. Many minutes passed as the other Knights with dry throats watched. After they could no longer wait, Sir Jim said, "I will try the water now," And scooped a large amount into his mouth. He too said that the water was wonderful. This was all it took and the remainder of the Knights and King Arthur, eagerly bent and scooped from the beautiful spring, with Cusp saying, "I will wait to drink from the stream in the canyon."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:56 AM

Sir B'man watching the others drink, suddenly grabbed his throat and let out an anguished yell, he then dropped to his haunches and started making Monkey noises bouncing around and dragging his knuckles on the cave floor.
The Knights looked in horror and disbelief at these wild gyrations. Sir B'man stopped, fell to the floor and started laughing heartily, pointing at the Knights. King Arthur didn't think this was one bit funny and said, "Sir Knight, given our surroundings, that might have been quite funny in a different setting. But, this was no place to pull such a stunt." Sir B'man stood up with a somber look on his face and said, "I am very sorry your Majesty and fellow Knights, please accept my apology." But could not help hiding a broad grin behind his hand.

King Arthur said, "Let us leave this place and return to the others that are waiting. I will be happy to again board the Far Search and return to the Kingdom of BetterMan."

With Cusp in the lead following his marks, they soon came to the entrance of the cave and stepped out into darkness. It was a very dark moonless night and Cusp gathered the remaining torches that had been hidden and with enough light to see, begin their walk back toward their camp. At the stream, Cusp stopped and drank deeply as did the Knights. As it was too dark for Sir Robin to shoot fish, they decided to not stop and just finish the trek. The going, through the narrow passages seemed even harder than when they had passed this way earlier in the day. They had to put out their torches and in the dark, there was much head bumping and cursing. They heard in the distance, "Can you hear me?"
King Arthur yelled, "Yes, yes we can and we are coming to you."

The reunion was joyous, especially when JonPop was discovered to be with the other Knights and appeared whole and well.
The Knights were being bombarded with questions, King Arthur held up his hand and said, "Gentlemen, first, may we have some tea and something to eat?" They all sat around the fire and recounted everything that had taken place since they had left, including Sir JonPop's time aboard the spacecraft. When they had finished, Cusp was jumping up and down saying, "I want to go home, I want to go home." King Arthur said, "Patience my dear Cusp, we will first sleep and then I will, in the morning have the wizard Slanker grant you your wish."
Sir JonPop spent a few hours by the light of the campfire, writing out the Newbie Routine to give to Cusp as he had promised.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:57 AM

The return trip was much easier as the going was almost always down hill. They stopped once to spend the night and eat the last of their rations. With Knapsacks now discarded and being able to see the ocean from amongst the trees, their hearts got lighter and they increased their pace. Sir Robin loved this forest and slowed his pace to marvel at some of the strange birds. In fact he considered shooting a few for their bright feathers, to take back to his men as a souvenir of his quest.
He had lagged a kilometer or so behind the others as he stopped to strip a few hand full's of feathers and so was not with the party when it was ambushed by the pirates.

When he came within sight of the beach, he saw that the King and the Knights were bound with rope and sitting around on the rocks. What appeared to be the Captain of the pirates had just finished hitting King Arthur hard, knocking him over backwards. He counted the men and saw that it was a small group and checked his quiver and found that if he was careful and his aim good, that he had enough arrows to attempt a rescue.

He climbed up on a rock that was high enough to give a good vantage point and remembering what he had taught his men about shooting at a downward angle, notched an arrow and shot the pirate Captain square in the chest. The pirates looked around trying to find the source and another pirate fell to the ground, clutching an arrow to the throat.
The pirates spotted Sir Robin and begin firing their flintlock pistols at him. The flintlock was not known for it's accuracy and the balls were not even close to their target. Sir Robin stood calmly and dropped two more of the pirates. The remaining three pirates pushed their longboat into the water and started franticly rowing toward their ship, anchored by the Far Side.

Robin quickly ran to the beach and let fly three more arrows and the rowing men slumped backwards and the boat went adrift. The Knights even though their hands were tied behind their backs, were jumping around, hooting and yelling for Sir Robin. He quickly untied Sir Iguana and Sir Stillwantmore who untied the rest of the Knights. They tended to King Arthur who had a black eye and a large bruise on the side of his face and Sir Stud who was unconscious. King Arthur said, painfully, "I know we are being watched from their ship, so we must make a plan to get back to the Far Search without our boat being blown out of the water by their cannons." He had Sir Hairtrigger retrieve the unlocking device that he had hidden in a knothole in a tree and put the chain back around his neck.
Sir JonPop, swam out to the longboat and rowed it with one oar, back to shore.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 12:58 AM

Sir Bret said to Sir Robin, "The pirates were waiting for us and had been for several days. They asked who was the leader of the group and Sir Stud said, "I am ass hole." The pirate Captain slapped Sir Stud hard and said, "What magic is it that we cannot board your ship? Several of my men tried to climb a boarding rope that they had tossed over the railing and were immediately knocked into the water when they touched the hull.
We could see men on the deck peering at us and even our pistol balls bounced back at us." Sir Stud kicked out and caught the Captain square in the groin.
This earned him a belaying pin to the head, knocking him out cold. The Captain was hurt and outraged and said, "I will kill you one by one, if you don't answer my questions." King Arthur said, "I am the leader, I am King Arthur of the Round Table from the Kingdom of BetterMan these men do not know anything."

The Captain stepped up to our King and said, "Tell me what I want to know." King Arthur just looked at him. This is when the Captain struck our King and paid the price with an arrow in his chest." Sir Bret turned and stuck out his hand to Sir Robin and said, "That was quite an impressive display of marksmanship Sir Robin." They clasped hands and embraced.

King Arthur said, "Our only chance is to wait until dark and see if we can't slip by them and board the Far Search." Just then, there was a boom from the pirate ship and a cannon ball splashed about 20 meters off shore.
Another boom and this one was closer. Then the cannons opened up and the balls were skipping off the rocks. One landed directly on the pirate longboat and blew a large hole in the bow. The Knights scattered and took cover behind the rocks. Sir Jayhawk had the presence of mind to pull their own boat up and behind a large rock out of sight. They saw Sir Remek and Sir Kdub both laying amongst the rocks, bleeding and in great pain. Suddenly they were gone and in the next instant were crouching behind the rocks with the rest of the Knights. Sir Loki smiled and said, "I don't think I will ever get used to this. Sir Remek answered, "Neither do I."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 01:00 AM

During each lull, while the pirates were reloading their cannons, the Knights moved further away from the beach and up into the scrub brush. They made their way around to one of the volcanic points jutting out into the water. There they could see in the fading light, the pirates readying another longboat to go ashore.
They feared for their own boat as it was the only means to get them back to the Far Search.

They talked about trying to ambush the landing party, but it was soon dismissed as Sir Robin was down to only four arrows and they had lost their pistols and rifles when they had been seized by the pirates, when they had left them in the boat to go on their quest. They had been able to regain their swords after the pirates had been killed by Sir Robin. They knew that they would be no match at infighting, with the pirates having pistols.

King Arthur raised his arm and said, "Captain Slanker, can you help us?" He waited and nothing happened.
It was too far to swim to the Far Side so that idea was quickly forgotten.

The Knights all knew that the pirates could out wait them as they had no food or drinking water and that they would soon mount a search and would not give up until they were captured and the secret of the Far Side was reveled.
They spent a cold, spray wetted night huddled together on the rocky point.
During the night they could see torches around the landing site and could catch faint voices but nothing they could understand.

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 01:01 AM

As the dawn was just faintly breaking, the Knights heard a series of booms, they looked out from their cover and saw that the Far Side cannons were hitting the pirate ship and blasting gaping holes in the hull.
King Arthur said, "I guess things can go out of the force field, just that things can't enter. Our stable hands that we left on board, must have figured out that we were in trouble and used their sleep training to man the cannons." They cheered wildly as the pirate ship begin to list over and take on water. They saw the pirates on shore franticly rowing back toward their now sinking ship and hurriedly made their way back to where they had left their boat. The Far Side cannons were now trained on the pirate longboat and after several attempts, scored a direct hit, blowing the longboat apart and throwing the pirates into the sea.

Their boat was useless, it had been broken into pieces. They sat down on the rocks and waited for the pirates that they could see swimming, to reach the shore. As they emerged from the water, they were met with the swords of the Knights and the threat was over. Sir JonPop said, "Let's build a fire and try to make the men on the Far Side realize that we are stranded." Sir Marty got out the flint and striking it against the hardened steel of his sword produced a spark that ignited the grass that had been gathered. When it was burning enough, they added small twigs and larger branches and soon had a good sized fire going.
Sir Loki had removed his shirt and soaked it in the water, this he placed over the fire and made three distinct puffs of smoke. The Knights all jumped up and down waving their arms.
They could see a boat being lowered from the Far Search and two men dove into the water with a third having touched the hull being blown away from the ship and landing hard, backwards in the water.
As the boat approached, King Arthur said, "It is time that we thank the Lord for bringing us safely through this quest."
They kneeled on the rocky shore and King Arthur said, "Thank you Lord God, for your blessings and answering our prayers to be brought back safely to this spot. Amen." The Knights all echoed "Amen."

JonPop · 05-29-2009, 01:03 AM

Back aboard the Far Search, a feast was prepared by the Master Chef and the stable hands were the guests of honor. They recounted the adventures to the eager ears of those that had been left aboard, drank much rum, ate too much and decided to get a good sleep in their own bunks before starting the return voyage.

It was late in the evening when the Knights, still a little hung over, readied the sails and turned the ship to head back out to sea. King Arthur had retrieved the flasks of water from all the Knights and had them securely locked away in the ship, safe box.
King Arthur went to the rail to see how the ship was doing and that the sails were set properly. When he returned to his cabin, Captain Slanker was sitting in a chair waiting for him. He told the King, "I will need the pomes of Sappho returned to me, that we may put them back. They had been discovered missing and a great hue and cry had gone out, but returning them to the exact time that they were taken, none of this will take place.
King Arthur called from the bridge for Sir Bret to come and bring the writings of Sappho to his cabin. Sir Bret came up the stairs and said, "King Arthur, I am so sorry, when we dropped our Knapsacks on the way to the beach, I had forgotten and left the poems, in all the excitement following, it totally slipped my mind." Captain Slanker startled Sir Bret by saying from behind him, "You will just have to go back and retrieve them." One second Sir Bret had been standing on the bridge and the next he was standing over the Knapsacks that the Knights had dropped. He could see the backs of the Knights, himself included, walking toward the beach. He wanted to shout out to warn them of the trap but thought better. He found his own sack and pulled out the pomes and suddenly was standing in the King's cabin, holding the writings. He handed them to Captain Slanker and he just vanished. Sir Bret said, "No one will ever believe this tale that we have to tell."

JonPop · 06-01-2009, 07:55 PM

Bump, to get the monster "Lifted" to tell us what it feels like to suddenly be turned into dust. Was it um..Unsettleing? *Snicker*

JonPop · 06-02-2009, 12:02 AM

Mister Kingpole had the Far Search preparing to make a turn around the volcanic rocky point.
King Arthur called for a "All hands on deck" and everyone except Mr Kingpole and Sir Iguana in the crows nest, assembled on the deck below the railing where King Arthur was standing.

He said, "Gentlemen, I have directed Mister Kingpole to head to the bay of Kalioni. I have been informed that the water is deep enough to tie off at their dock.
We need to remove our horses from the hold.
I am told by the chief stable hand, Irish, that the horses must be given a reprieve and allowed to exercise or they will not survive the return voyage home. We all know that our very fine mounts are extremely high strung and I am concerned that Irish says they are getting very depressed in their confinement.
We will send Mister Kingpole and two Knights to the village of Mytilene, to ask permission to dock and to exercise our horses and to visit their wonderful island."

The Far Search dropped anchor about 1,000 meters from shore. The flag of BetterMan had been raised and the beautiful light blue color with the Griffin in the center, flew proudly.
As a boat was being prepared to be lowered, King Arthur appointed Sir Bret and Sir Remek to go ashore with Mister Kingpole and seek out someone in authority. He also had them load two casks of rum, and several boxes of English tea as an offering. He said. "Please convey our good intentions and that we only come as friends, if we may."

10 · 06-04-2009, 02:55 PM

Great story so far JP. You've definitely got talent for writing. I just LOVE stud's character too!!!

JonPop · 06-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Thanks Sir Bret. Yeah, ol' Sir Stud is pretty easy to nail.
Now, to get everyone some pussy. Know ya'll have been waiting.