Inn of the Red Thorn
A Minstrel's Tale
While
in the course of my travels in the realm, I chanced there upon a decrepit
looking inn. Outside standing was a young lad near by the stable. Lad,
said I, what be the name of this decrepit looking Inn?
The lad smiled and replied, Why the Inn of the Red Thorn, Squire.
Inside the innkeeper has mutton on the spit, and a new drink, Squire, it
be called Kaffee. I am sure twill help take the chill out. There be also a blazing
fire in the common room, Go thee inside and warm thy self. Shall I
take thy mount Squire? The lad was
a friendly talkative fellow and the Inn sounded quite inviting. This night,
she's very damp and cold; I will indeed stop for the night. The lad then smiled
and set off upon his task.
Entering
the Inn, I was greeted by a rather portly gentleman. Evening Squire, shall I get thee some mutton and a tankard of
Kaffee. Tis a strange brew Squire, bitter, yet warming, he said.
Aye tis a cold night and these bones could use some warming, I replied.
Standing, warming myself by the fire and drinking this strange brew, I
noticed an odd old gentleman seated next to the fire.
When
by chance this old gentleman didst speak, his words were both soft and easy.
As if he had once been a minstrel of old.
For
a flagon of ale and a bowl of gruel kind Squire, I wouldst pay thee with a tale
that has long since been untold. A
tale of a brave Knight and of his quest to save a beautiful princess, such an
adventure it twas, Squire.
It
had been a long time since I had been entertained in such a manner, so I nodded
to him to go on. By then, many of the patrons of the Inn had gathered round to
hear the tale. A chair drawn up close to the fire was the perfect place to relax
and enjoy. A feeling of great expectation and anticipation filled the hall for
what was yet to come. The faces of the patrons eager to live the tale.
This tale that I now relate to you, is the very same “Minstrel's
Tale", as it twas told that very same damp and cold night at the
Inn of the Red Thorn...
Now sit ye back
and prepare to enjoy
6/18/99
Sit
yea down, I shall tell a tale of long ago.
Of Knights, dragons, and damsels fair.
A time of yore, of great Magicians that roamed throughout the land. A
time of evil and a time of good. A
tale of a brave and humble Knight, Sir Lonely and this quest he set upon.
A quest for that which he hath been denied and for a most powerful
magician, Merlin. Counsel to the
brave King Uther.
So
it was that Sir Lonely didst set out upon his quest to find Merlin.
Many days and
nights went by, till finally Sir Lonely didst come across Merlin
sitting in a
forest clearing.
Now
Merlin didst tell Sir Lonely of a maiden that was then prisoner to the Dragon
Slothertow. This maiden Merlin didst proclaim, was the most beautifulest maiden
in all the kingdom. This maidens name be Lady Josephene. At this time, you see,
there still be dragons in the land and many a fair maiden didst need rescuing.
Sir
Lonely didst ask Merlin just where the Lady be, and Merlin didst reply, the Lady
be held in a tower high there in the kingdom of the Dragon Slothertow, the
kingdom many days ride from hence to the West. So upon the dawning of the next
morn Sir Lonely did depart. To take upon the quest so set, to rescue the Lady
Josephene.
The
old man looked into the faces of the patrons, a smile twinkled in his eyes.
They were eager to live this tale further.
I do admit, I too sat at the edge of my chair.
Sit
yea all back around the fire's soft glow, said he. I shall continue with the
story of Sir Lonely, and this quest to free the Lady Josephene.
So
it t’was that Sir Lonely didst set out upon the quest that was so set.
By days end Sir
Lonely is no closer to the realm of Slothertow the dragon. He rests for the night and dreams of the Lady Josephene
imprisoned in a dark tower.
Upon
the dawns early breaking light, he sets out upon the road.
Knowing that he must make haste, for the Lady Josephene's life is at
risk. For the dragon Slothertow
grows restless with each passing day.
Much
too soon, a fortnight has passed and Sir Lonely knows that he is closer to the
realm of Slothertow. As Sir Lonely and his squire set up camp for the night, He
spies an old man walking towards them from out of the forest. He bids the old
man to come and share the camp for the night. Sir Lonely asks of the old man,
“How far be it to the realm of Slothertow?" M'Lord, the realm of Slothertow be close at hand. Through yon
forest be the edge of his realm. Old man, "How far be it to Slothertow's
castle?" Three days hard ride M'Lord. Tell me then of the other Knights,
How didst they fare in battle against the dragon? All have perished M'Lord,
consumed by the dragon. And what of the Lady Josephene old man, tell me, does
she still live? Aye M'Lord, the Lady still lives in the tower of Slothertow's
castle. No harm has been done the Lady.
Slothertow
can sense that Sir Lonely is close. Daily doth he fly the borders of his realm.
With three days of hard riding Sir Lonely is close to Slothertow's Castle
and the Lady Josephene. Soon, so very soon the battle between Sir Lonely and
Slothertow wouldst begin.
Slowly
the old man sips his ale, all eyes take in his every move. He knows he has
brought life to his tale. Crooked
fingers wrapped tight around his cup, He begins again.
Darkest
Deepest Nite
Minstrel's
Tale Part 3
6/26/99
In
the darkest deepest nite M'Lady Josephene did come to me. I see her throu the
fires light. Walking slowly towards me. Such a vision my eyes do see. Can this
vision be real? Or is it but a
foolish dream? I be so tired and worn. For long didst I do battle this day
against the Dragon Slothertow. I be not sure of what is real and what be not.
For my mind doth play tricks on me. But Lo, It must be real, for now M'Lady does
stand afore me.
Slowly,
unsure of my senses, I reach out to thee. To see if thou art but a dream. If
thee were but a dream, thy hand wouldst not touch mine. Now thee kneel by my
side, and kisses me softly on mine lips. No dream couldst be this real. Thy art
not a dream, thy art real. For when we kissed, I tasted the sweetness of thy
lips. Lips much sweeter then the sweetest mead. Aye, thy lips how soft they are
to kiss.
Oh
M'Lady Josephene, the touch of your hand in mine, so soft and gentle. Thy skin,
the color of Alabaster. The warmth of thy skin next to mine, so soothing it tis.
As we sit near the fires warmth, my arm around thy shoulder. I hold thee gently
but close to my side. I gaze into
thy lovely green eyes and see the fire’s light dancing there. I whisper in thy
ear of how I do so love thee. Gently and tenderly I kiss thee on thine sweet
lips. M'Lady Josephene, how is it thee came to be here? To sit beside me near
the fires warmth. As I lay back
down with thou beside me and gently fall asleep.
The
old man knows that the patrons are burning with anticipation for the end of the
tale. Knowing this the old man
hesitates slightly before he continues with telling of his tale.
Awaken
this Day
Minstrel's
Tale Part 4
With
the coming of the dawn, Sir Lonely begins to stir. Slowly looking about the
camp. His gaze falls to where the
Lady Josephene had lain. All he sees is the empty space beside him. He
cannot tell if she had lain beside him through the night or not. Still
weary from the battle of the day before he slowly rises. He sniffs at the
air in hopes to catch the scent of jasmine. But Lo the air is clean and unscented
except for his own dry sweat. Thus he does know that the night before was just a
dream.
His armor and shield lie neatly stacked next to him. His sword
and lance cleaned and sharpened are ready for the day.
As he dons his armor, with the help of his faithful squire, Sir Lonely thinks
back to when he left and the words Merlin didst speak. “That on the second day of
battle thou shallt be victorious in thy battle against Slothertow and the
Lady Josephene will be freed.” All the while his brave squire helps him
to don his armor and mount his mighty charger. As Sir Lonely rides
towards Slothertow's castle his squire at his side, his thoughts
wander back to the dream he did have and now knows that victory shall be
his.
And
so as he reaches the gates of Slothertow's castle, Sir Lonely yells out,
Awaken Dragon come thee hence from yon castle and prepare to do battle this
day. While in yon tower window the Lady Josephene gazes down upon the scene
below. Praying all the while that the dragon wouldst not appear. But lo,
through the castle gates Slothertow did lumber. With a mighty bellow of
rage Slothertow did attack, snorting flames all the while. With a
thrust of his lance and a vengeful parry by Slothertow, Sir Lonely is knocked
from his charger. Stunned for but a moment, faintly he hears a gasp from
the tower. His sight blurred for but a moment, he sees the shape of
Slothertow lunging at him with fiery jaws snapping and claws slapping at
the earth where he had but moments ago lain.
Sir Lonely and
the Lady Josephene now live in the castle that once didst belong to
Slothertow the Dragon.
~~ End ~~
3/22/01
Revised and
Edited By: Sheila Lynn and Denzil
(Dennis) Straight 4/30/03