Squire Sweeper of a Hundred Cities
As we didst enter a great vale, a house full of smoke and grime was passed by. A group of maidens pranced about, though whether born of ignoble intentions or the delusions of vile phantasms of drink, such as we hadst of late imbibed in most generously, couldst I not say. Whilst the Old Man of the Glade beheld them with curiosity, I didst do mine best to steer us away from that place with great haste.
Further-upon the road we didst find a squire standing with drawn blade, pointing in challenge at a group of men. With a heroic cry the squire did address them.
“Shall ye slander the noble name of yonder womankind? Shalt thou mock their purity of heart and intention with thine words?”
“Whence hath thine mind traversed that thou seest not the world of the real, but one of devilish phantasms?” asketh one of thine men. “Honour shalt be thine grave, oh squire of foolish intent!”
“Apologize ere I rend thee with mine blade!” proclaimeth the Squire.
“Many a fine maiden didst I spy!” crieth the Old Man of the Glade. “Shalt none with eyes deny that!”
A grin didst light up the face of the Squire as he turned to us. “Verily, the wisdom of age doth proclaim mine truth!” the Squire sayeth. “Whither shalt thy doubt gain hold now?”
“Let us tarry no longer,” sayeth one of the men. “Tis time for the tavern!”
Saying thus, the party walked past the appeased squire towards whence we had come. Then didst the Squire turn to us and bow courteously.
“Verily, ye hath helped mine quest for the worthy honour of fair maidens,” proclaimeth the Squire. “Squire Sweeper of a Hundred Cities am I called, and ye hath mine gratitude.”
“Tis all we couldst do to aid such a noble heart,” replieth I. “Yet, I would beg you to tell us whence came these palpitations of thy heart?”
“Lacketh ye a woman?” the Old Man asketh.
“Aye,” the Squire said longingly. “Long hath I desired a maiden for whom I could become a champion, mighty and worthy, a lover of true chivalrous nature.” His hands clasped to his chest. “Wert that mine dream couldst be fulfilled!”
“Ye couldst fight in the name of mine daughter!” The Old Man didst offer.
“Whence is she?” didst the Squire ask excitedly. “Oh, wouldst I fight for thine fair maiden daughter, venerable Father, if only I but I could sight her fair face for a few moments!”
The Squire didst pause for a moment, then shake his head and continue thusly. “Where goest thou, noble comrades?”
“To the Celestial City!” I replyeth. “We seeketh the beauteous music and the fair court of the Troubadour Lord!”
“Wonder of wonders!” proclaimeth the Squire. “How many damsels as goddesses descendeth to the world doth such a place hold? Why, now verily do I know what mine true desire is. Mayst I join thy noble company that we might truly hath victory?”
“With arms as wide as when Tristain the Bard did embrace his true love in Stanza seventy-four of Gregor’s famous poem, shalt we embrace thee!” cried the Knower of Small Rhymes.
“Indeed, such a noble blade would fit in most worthily amongst our fair ranks,” saith I. “Wouldst thou accept our open hand?”
“A fair maiden tis she, shan’t thou agreest!” Saith the Old Man, tapping me on the back. “Wouldst you two girls get along most splendidly!”
“Thine medicants shouldst thou consult once more,afore thou speakest again,” replieth I.
The Squire didst study us with greatest of intent for a few moments, then gave a salute with his blade. “Newfound friends!” crieth he, “let us set out in the name of the honor of womenfolk everywhere! To noble deeds art we e’er called, and to noble deeds shalt we go!”
With that a new comrade didst grace our presence, and we proceeded forth, four in total now.
Kotharian Lightning 