The Quest

There was a land once
a golden land that existed in a golden era.
It was a time for Lords and Ladies, Knights and Squires, Peasents and a King and Queen who ruled over all. The Queen, was beautiful to behold in her long flowing gown. Her skin exemplified perfection with it's creamy color and absence of any mark whatsoever. Proud was she who stood, chin held high, by her loveıs, her Kings side.

She, who was this who all maidens sought to be?
She was Queen Guinevere and the one she stood by? Her love, her Arthur, King of Camelot.

This was a King that would be the example for all others to follow.
For Arthur dared to go where none other had before. He broke from the tryannical rule and instead, lead with compassion, justice, faith and courage. He used wisdom first and XCalibur second.

Yes XCalibur,
the sword of swords, once plucked from a rock by an unwitting boy,
now held by the greatest of all men..of all Kings.
This Arthur not only broke from the dictatership style that dominated his time but even gathered the Greatest Knights in all the land to help him rule. They became known as, The Knights of the Round.

Yes the Round,
a wondrous marble circular table where the silver clad Knights, along with their beloved King, would sit and discuss the fate of Camelot. This table of Knights had a leader, a brave soul who would sacrifice himself gladly for his King and fellow Knights of the Round.

This man, was known as Sir Lancelot,
lead Knight of that marvelous table. Lancelot the Brave to some, Lancelot the rogue to others. He had many names but none questioned his duty and loyalty and skill in battle. He was joined by others of course,

Sir Percival.
To many known as Percival the faithful. Named so because of his faithfulness to his Code and to his king.

Sir Gawain was another,
a dear friend to Lancelot, a brother in arms was he. This man was dashing and strong. Sir Gawain the mighty, to some. There were yet still other Knights who sat proudly at that Round table.

Sir Galahad, Lancelot's son and perhaps the best of them all. Brave and faithful, his moral code held above all else. Galahad the virtuous, was he.

There were others to sit at that table to be sure, all held one truth above all truths. That truth was known as the Code of the Round. A code made by Arthur himself. Truth, Justice, honor, courage and ever faith. These words did the Knights eat drink and dream of. They were the basis for all that was Camelot, without them, anarchy would prevail and the greatest of all lands, would forever parish.

Unfortunately, there came one man,
born of lust and incest, that believed not in this code.
This tall, dark man believed in the old ways of power and money and to rule with an iron fist. He believed in his sword first, obedience second and compassion...never. Who was this empty, cold soul? None other than Arthurıs son, Prince Mordred. Yes, he who was born to Morganna, the daughter of Ygraine, did seek to destroy all that his father had built. Was it jealousy or hatred? Was it the constand inuendos by Morgawse, that HE, Mordred should rule all, that HE was the rightful heir, that Arthur was aging and unable to rule. What became Mordredıs reasons for the throne was uncertain but it was a something that he refused to be denied. So he, along with another Knight who broke ranks with Arthur and the Round, did join and become aversaries to be reckoned with. Who would dare break from the Round? Malagant. A promising Knight, with skill and strength. However, he to shared Mordredıs belief. Arthur was old..weak and must be replaced. Still, while Mordred and Malagant became a feared duo, they still were no match for Arthur and his Knights. At least, not until YGraine did give Mordred his inspiration. A cold whisper, so chilling it would freeze the heart of any mortal man, did seep into Mordredıs thoughts. It was Ygraine who planted this evil seed in his mind and she who would nurture it until it became reality. What was this that grew in the mind of this twisted young man? The Grail, it must be taken from Arthur. The Grail, holiest of all cups did reside under protection within Camelot. The Grail, which gave life to all that would bow before it and would equally take life should it fall under a dark curse. Thus the seed grew into a dispicable plan. Steal the Grail, let life drain from Camelot and then..crush all who remained. And so it was done. Under a blackened sky did the snake come hither. To the Grail it did slither. A shadow, filled with hate, did grasp the Grail with an icy grasp. Away with it, did this one go, to places unknown, never again to show. And so it went, Camelot did slowly feel the choking grasp of the cursed cup. All life did drain from the seedling, to peasent and on up. Yes even Arthur, A King born of the land did suffer and weaken. Yet, in an old tower, lurked a timeless old man. A man like none other, a man also born of the Land. Merlin was he, a wizard and seer and trusted mentor to Arthur. This funny aged man, who wore a blue pointed cap and a sky blue robe with silver stars, did toss and turn upon his feather bed. What did cause the most powerful of Wizards to stir so anxiously? Merlin was a seer foremost and this cold, black night, he did see the cloud of evil roll over Camelot, like some strange fog that blew in from parts unknown. Merlin knew what this meant and knew action would need to be taken. So why was he troubled? Because Merlin, the all knowing, couldnıt see. He was blinded by this strange veil of darkness. To not see..not know. This was the one thing that frightened Merlin. If he knew, he could aid Arthur somehow but he didnıt ³know² this time. Still images came to him, dark and terrifying and relentless. What did the wise one with the long, snowy white beard see? Merlin saw death. Swords clashing. Knights falling. Blood soaked earth and rivers of blood. Screams of sword pierced men did he hear, as well as the soft agonizing moans of dying men. Xcalibur lay, stained with blood, next to...Merlin could not see. A crown raised. A King anointed...A Golden Kingdom, now grey and lifeless. All this did the mighty Merlin see but the cause..what was the cause! And how would he stop this plague from slaughtering all. Just then, crystalyne blue eyes did snap open. The Wizard had awoke. Jumping to his feet and taking in hand his trusted oaken staff, He moved to the tower window that overlooked all of Camelot. The moon, a pearl suspended high in the blackened heavens, did rain beams of silver light down upon the shimmering lake below. What to do.what could be done and what was the cause of the death of all? A glowing light blue tear slipped from his eye and rolled down his wrinkled old cheek. The land was being extinguished slowly. He could hear the cries of the land and all creatures who depended upon her. Mother was dying but what....Then the answer struck him like a bolt of lightning. The Grail! He shouted. The Grail was gone! And so over time the Wizard did walk the floor of his Castle tower. Months passed, Arthur grew weaker and weaker, while Mordred and Malagant increased in strength. Guinevere was left uncertain, as was he. What to do. Finally, it was decided. A fist raised to the heavens in defiance and an angry proclamation made.** By my life, whoever you are, you will NOT take my land..kill my mother! You have angered Merlin and you SHALL regret it! **Thunder cracked, shaking the land violently and lightning, golden and blue, streaked across the heavens. Then Merlin flung out his arms and shouted an incantation. The Mighty Merlin began to change. What was once a man, slowly shifted into the form of a falcon. Bathed in moonlight, that bird sat gloriously upon the ledge of that tower window and screached out itıs mighty war cry. Then dropped and soared to the window that looked down into the Great Hall. Another cry, a cry that echoed throughout the Castle and all of Camelot. A warning, a call to arms. And then he flew to the center of the hall and again shifted. Merlin now stood there in all his glory, with arms outstretched. The timeless Wizard billowed out so all would here.** Let it be known a curse is upon this land. The holiest of all cups has been taken! The land and all who dwell within are foresaken! The Grail must be found! Knights and Squires, Lords and Ladies, Peasents and whoever should hold within their hearts the courage and faith to do so, must seek out this Holy Cup and return it to itıs rightful place. Be wary, many will seek and many WILL die but the Cup must be found before the Kingdom is nye! Let the Quest BEGIN!!!

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