Arconian Holiday

[arcon]

I King Arcon, proclaim this day a national holiday in Arconia. I would suggest all other kingdoms do the same. I've sent all the Palace workers away for the day....off work with full pay.
hmmmmmmm i think ill go play cricket.
"Zelda honey, bring that bottle of wine with you please".
..............such a fine day today...arcon

[arcon]

Damn, the post office is closed!

............Arcon of Arconia

[Zelda]

Please excuse me... I think the King needs a seditive!

[Fencing Angel]

i have the pommel of my sword.. A mace perhaps... hehehe

all in good fun you highness...

[RedsectorA]

A travelling bard comes to the land of Arconia. A man named Cendriall. Apparently he has heard of a national holiday being declared in Arconia. Always one to take advantage of a good opportunity to tell his tales and sing his songs, he sets up in the town square just outside the walls of the Castle of The King and Queen. He sits on the edge of the fountain, plucking and tuning the strings of his Lyre. A small crowd begins to gather around, hoping for a song. They are not to be disappointed. He smiles at them and gives them a big bow, then starts to strum his lyre in a light airy tune. The music would remind one of the ditties played when a tale was being told. He starts to sing a ballad in a rich voice that carries well throughout the Square, perhaps even to the Castle itself.

"Ahhhhhhhh dragon has come to our village today…
We've asked him to leave but he wont go away….
Now he's talked to our King and they worked out a deal….
No homes will he burn, and no crops will he steal!"

"Now there is but one catch, we dislike it a bunch…
Twice a year he invites him a virgin to lunch…
But we've no other choice so the deal we'll respect….
But we can help but wonder and pause to reflect!"

"Dooooo Virgins taste better than those who are not?
Are they salty or sweet or more juicy or what?….
Do you savor them slowly? Gulp them down on the spot?
Do virgins taste better than those who are not???"

Many people in the audience laugh at the jovial tune that the bard sings while many more come to listen and join the festivities.

"Now we'd like to beshed you and many have tried….
But no one can get through your thick scaly hide…
We hope that someday some brave knight will come by….
Cause we can't wait around to your too fat to fly!"

"Now you have such good taste in your women for sure….
They always are pretty, they always are pure…..
But your notion of dining makes us all flinch…
Cause your favorite entrée is barbecued wench!"

"Dooooo virgins taste better than those who are not?…
Are they salty or sweet or more juicy or what?….
Do you savor them slowly? Gulp them down on the spot?….
Do virgins taste better than those who are not???"

"Now we found a solution it works out so neat…
"If you insist on nothing but virgins to eat….
No more will our number ever grow small….
We'll simply make sure there's no virgins at all"

Many of the men gathered around laugh uproariously at this jest, and even some of the women giggle covering their mouths in embarrassment.

"Dooooo virgins taste better than those who are not?…
Are they salty or sweet or more juicy or what?….
Do you savor them slowly? Gulp them down on the spot?….
Do virgins taste better than those who are not???"

The bard strums his last note and laughs as the people applaud his performance. Many toss coins of silver, copper, and even a few gold coins land at the bard's feet. The bard bows and thanks them all, he promises to perform more later. He explains that he has just arrived in town and must find suitable lodgings. The crowd is disappointed but they go about their business merrily, the bard having brought a bright spot into their otherwise dull day.

The bard gathers the coins and slings his lyre upon his back then heads off to find an Inn for food, a room, and a hot bath.

[mango fever]

redsector A: you mention dragons, which is very interesting to me, i wonder if people in the middle ages went out looking for "dragons", did anyone in the middle ages have a flag with a dragon on it, that were considered to be the enemy of the people of the european nations.

[Moonitic]

::claps:: Wonderful!

[Zelda]

BRAVO!!! Arcon dear, we must give this man lodging and ask him to entertain at our next banquet.

[RedsectorA]

As Cendriall looked for an Inn, he was surprised at the approach of a herald of the Queen's court. He smiled at the offered room and the chance to play at a royal banquet, but alas he disappointed and surprised the herald by his refusal. "Please give my regrets to her majesty, but I don't normally do private performances!" he said with a smile.

The herald took this the wrong way thinking, "how dare this upstart musician deny his music from the court, does he think he is too good for them?" Cendriall saw the dark look pass across the face of the herald and immediately he understood. "Forgive me sire, but I mean no offense," said with another pleasing, apologetic smile. "You see, my music is for all the people and I only give performances to the general public. Besides my pitiful skills are hardly worth the grace of the magnificent halls of the Arconian Castle." On this point the Herald could only agree. The bard thought for a second then added, "I will agree to give more performances in the square near the castle so that her Majesty my hear them along with her worthy subjects." This seemed to appease the Herald somewhat, and he left to notify the Queen of the bard's answer.

Cendriall found a room that night in a small quaint tavern near the docks, where he played a song or two for his room and board.

The next day, as promised, he was sitting on the edge of the fountain in the square next to the castle walls shortly after the noon hour. Over a hundred people had gathered to hear this musician play today. Apparently the word had gotten around town. He greeted everyone with a smile and a bow as he stood up on the edge of the marble fountain. A few experimental plucks on his strings as he seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then with a smile he raised his voice and asked, "I bet none of you here have heard the "Ballad of the Dwarf", have you?" His inquiry met with blank stares and some negative replies. Cendriall smiled and said, "Well then you are in for a treat!" He strummed a single cord, "Say, have any of you even seen a dwarf?" Again he was greeting by even more negative responses. "Well, then let me tell you that dwarfs are mighty warriors, and even though the tallest is no taller than a young lass, they can outfight most men you could name." He strummed another cord as he prepared for his song. "This song was related to me by a PsiMaster who heard if from a dwarf in a far off land." He began to play a slow ballad tune and raised his voice in song. His voice echoed about the square, carried on the winds to the heights of the castle itself.

"Here I come,
Mine axe unslung,
Yer head I go to take,
So best ye run.

Battles have I fought,
Mighty foes have I sought.
By the edge of mine blade,
to them death have I taught.

Flee if thy will.
Only to delay mine kill.
For suren enough,
Thy blood will spill.

The rage is upon me.
Defense is folly.
Put away thine weapons,
Cause yer just another body.

Madness in mine eyes gleam.
Point of my spike keen.
None of mine enemies,
Have the next dawning seen.

Yer armor I rip asunder,
With a sound akin to thunder.
Feel my steel,
And yer six feet under.

Yer chest is gonna part,
For mine skill is an art.
Stop will I not,
Till my hands hold yer heart.

Even witches and mages,
With tricks upon thy pages,
Can be found in the ground,
When they trifled with my rages.

Fear have I none,
Of the deeds thou hast done.
For thee have yet to deal with me,
So here I come!"

As the last note slowly died from the air, the crowd began to applaud till the sound filled the square. The bard bowed deeply to all, he even turned and bowed straight towards the castle in case the Queen or any of her ladies were listening. Coins were tossed at the ground at the bard's feet. He thanked everyone and, slinging his lyre upon his back, jumped down from the fountain he began to gather up his generous audience's tribute. When he was done, he turned and went off to find another place to stay for the night. It too would be another small quaint place where he could entertain the small clientele with his tales and songs.