Part Two

Sitting in his room after another day of what seemed like endless tasks, Giant ponders what to do with the bit of free time he had seemed to find. Before he realized, he was talking to himself.... Hmmm Val is away from Camelot, so that lends a few more options to the list. What shall I do??  Well, I can't bring out the sheriff, she locked up the barbecue sauce, ending that threat....AHA!, I got it.

Running around his room, tearing through different chests, Giant finally finds all of the necessary items for his new persona.  Just as Giant finishes donning the black combat boots, the green fatigues and matching cap, he gets another idea..........

I know exactly who to get to help me in this....yes, they will do nicely  Giant then leaves his room and strolls down the hall. First making a quick stop to gather his partners in crime, then stopping before a set of doors, he turns to his accomplices Austin, you wait here for my signal......Mocha, you come with me.  Opening the doors to the balcony, he steps out and looks across the courtyard below him.  From somewhere he couldn't place music starts to play.... Raising his voice for all to hear,  he begins.......

"Brothers, Sisters, and especially squires, lend me your ears.  I stand before you today to let you know that El Presidente has arrived and there shall be change.  Do not fight the oppression that is to come, for it will only make matters worse. First order of business, all questions shall be addressed to me beginning with El Presidente or Sir.......what?"  Turning to whisper to the small dragon wearing dark sunglasses that is resting on his shoulder , El Presidente whispers to him for a moment...

"Ya sure?  ummmmm OK, if ya think its for the best.." Turning back and once again addressing the crowd he continues.... "On second thought there shall be no questions. Second order of business, all things are done for the benefit and well being of the Sovereign State of El Presidente. Remember , the only law is I am the law. And a word of advice for those who feel they can escape my iron rule, I have a select few deemed worthy enough to carry out my plans as enforcers."

Motioning back towards the door, a small dragon wearing a small leather collar with iron spikes, steps out onto the balcony.  "From this point forward, you cross me, you deal with him. Now repeat after me.....Viva El Presidente!!"  Awaiting the chanting masses El Presidente stands fist raised in the air.

Sydney - 12:03am Oct 2, 1998 MST
Squire to Lady Valeana

Sydney stood in her room in a beautiful flowing gown. One she picked from her closet. She looked at herself and felt a shiver run through her. Although she didn't look half bad, the whole thought of wearing one made her cringe. She wasn't quite sure why she even had the gown on, all she knew was that she was standing there wearing it. She tried a curtsey, pulling up the sides of the gown a bit and dipping her knees. She chuckled at the whole scenario. She was glad she was alone. If anyone saw her...well, she cared not to think of it. She then heard a startled scream from somewhere in the Keep. She woke with a jump. The thought of what she dreamed crossed her mind for a split second and she muttered to herself something about needing to speak to Jacella on her return from Tannisbury.

Sydney jumped from her bedding, slipped on her work clothing and washed up quickly. She might as well find out what the scream was all about before she headed for her daily chores. She headed down the hall and down the stairs, coming out the Keep doors just in time to see the Lady Chancellor riding through the gates. She headed for the stables and spoke to the stable master and found out what he knew...which was not much. Knowing that the Lady Chancellor could take care of herself...Sydney proceeded on with her chores.

First came the duty of cleaning out the stalls vacated by the horses, which left with the Tannisbury party. "My, my, what a job this is" Sydney thought. She did agree to take care of Bruno and felt the honor in doing so, but cleaning his stall while he was away was not a pleasant sight....or smell. But it had to be done.

Next, came the cleaning of the stalls that had current residents. Sydney looped a rope around one of the horses neck and realized it was the horse she took on her trip to Excalibur. "hey there big fella" Sydney said. "I see ya hadta stay here too. Well let me tell ya, I hadta stay and I'll be derned ifn when I didn't get back the other day, ifn Jacella hadn't a filled me closet with all them gowns I was speakin of." The horse snorted again like it had the day of the trip, making Sydney think it understood and was laughin at her. "and to think I dreamed of even wearin one!!!! Bah! I think I would rather clean yer stall than to even wear one of them gowns." The horse snorted at Sydney again, as she slid the rope from it's neck. She rubbed it's nose as she headed to finish her chores in the stable, leaving the horse in the pasture.

Sydney had a bite to eat after finishing the stable duties. All the current residents were taken care of, and her next duty was on her mind....cleaning the wine cellar. Hmmmm she thought, what's with all this cleaning, I would much rather be out saving the world from harm. Sydney finished up her lunch and headed down the stairs to the wine cellar. She looked around and began the task of cleaning it up. It wasn't that hard of a chore to do since no one hardly came down here. It was mainly wine that was here, so nothing was really in need of cleaning. As she swept, she felt the urge to taste the wine. She resisted and kept cleaning. As the hour passed she stopped a moment to sit down. She listened to the silence. It was peaceful down here she thought. The silence was broken by the sound of a drip. Sydney looked around and found a keg that seemed to be dripping wine. She knew that a busted keg was no good for wine and touched some to her finger then brought it to her mouth.  "mmmmm" She said, "not spoiled yet!" She pulled her cup from her waistband and set it below the drip then went back to cleaning.  After a few minutes she returned to the keg and found her cup half full. She sat next to the keg and drank the wine, feeling it warm her in the dampness of the cellar. This went on all afternoon and by the time Sydney was done cleaning, she felt pretty darned feisty.

She headed up to eat supper and then was going back out to the stables to close them up for the night. As Sydney passed below a balcony in the courtyard she heard the doors open above. She stood silently below, and watched as Giant came to the rail. She watched and listened as Giant gave his speech. She tried hard not to laugh. Just as Giant finished, she stepped into his view and saw him standing with his fist in the air. She was feeling rather mischievous after the wine and decided to challenge El Presidente. Sydney spoke sternly with a slight slur, "VeeeeeVaaaaa El Preeshedenty!!!" And burst into giggles. She composed herself again and continued, "M'Lo....errr, El Preeshedenty, I am Schquire Shydney, and I haf come to tell you that you will be oferthrone. When the Lady Chanshellor returns, your empire with crumple. VEEEEVAAAAA El Preeshedenty!!!!!!!". Sydney busted up laughing and looked up to Giant on the edge of the balcony. "bythaway El Preeshedenty, when will the Lady Chanshellor be returnin? Shoon I hope aye?"

Jacella - 12:49pm Oct 2, 1998 MST

Jacella's heart warms as she sees the look of deep sorrow lift from her liege's countenance. Time, the glorious fall weather, festivities, and loving companions are banishing the pain from Felena's soul. On the other hand, Silverelia is mournful. Her impossible dream is to be pure elf, and live among her mother's kind. The Elven Folk unconsciously hurt her feelings by their indifference, as to them she will always be a half-breed. Sil trails behind everyone, again and again looking back wistfully, as they leave the Elven Preserve.

The air is redolent with the smell of fresh pine needles. High aloft magnificent eagles soar and swoop down upon their prey. A lone wolf howls in triumph-her family will dine well this day. The horses clop along, single-file on the forest trail. As the travelers approach the forbidding mountain, a shiver of apprehension passes over the group. Following Sir Murtano's lead, everyone dismounts, and begins the arduous journey to the mountaintop. Jacella notices a bemused smile upon Felena's face, as she secrets something she finds. "A love token from someone, by the looks on Milady's face," Jacella muses happily.

The trail steepens as the party trudges upwards. The air chills, and the sky darkens forebodingly.  The anguished squeal of a small, dying animal makes the hair stand up on Jacella's neck. Suddenly, a great war whoop fills the air, as a large band of brigands springs out of ambush. Kierra and Jacella leap between their liege and the danger, so that Felena may cast defensive spells in safety. Jacella arms herself with a mighty broadsword, enchanted with fire, ice, and lightning. Into her mind comes an image of Sydney, dressed in a gown, and frowning unhappily. The next image Jacella catches is Sydney looking up at Giantkiller, posturing on the balcony.

Jacella, knowing of Sydney's battle prowess, wishes she were here to help out. The powerful wish is the deed-without meaning to, Jacella transports Sydney to the battlesite. Sydney, unarmed, looks about her in astonishment. The spatial transition causes her to be completely disoriented. There is no time for explanations, the danger is too pressing. "Here, use my sword. Help us, Sydney, we are under attack!" Jacella screams. She tosses the huge sword to Sydney, who deftly catches it in midair. Jacella swiftly arms herself with her boot daggers. The inventor Sardox holds a mysterious contraption in his hands, which he points at the evil-doers. Murtano and Warner stand in the forefront, ready to take the brunt of the attack.  In a split second, the outlaws are upon them, and the battle is joined.

El Presidente - 02:12pm Oct 2, 1998 MST
Supreme Ruler of the Sovereign State of El Presidente!

Listening to the chanting masses, El Presidente hears a small voice over the crowd...listening to the  rambling long enough, he addresses this foolish one.

"Hahahahahahaha, I like you, you make me laugh. Even though I commend your bravery, you must be made an example of, now feel the wrath of my Enforcer."

Just as El Presidente is ready to give the signal that will launch his enforcer into action, he is stopped once again....  "What do you mean I can't put down this small uprising??  Oh, well then I guess you are right about that..."

Looking back he confirms what his ever present advisor sitting on his shoulder had told him...the outspoken squire or schquire as she called herself was gone.....Then, El Presidente once again addresses the masses.....

"Let it be known that this one who dared to speak out against me has been marked for discipline for her unruly actions.  Any and all who are seen with her shall be guilty by association and dealt the same punishment."

"Now once again........Viva El Presidente!!"

Sydney - 12:53am Oct 3, 1998 MST
Squire to Lady Valeana

As Sydney stood below the balcony trying her hardest not to laugh too hard at the new El Presidente, she listened to his rantings about liking her. 'his Enforcer?' she thought for a moment. El Enforcer, how funny and she burst into a fit of laughter. She spied the little dragon on his shoulder. She thought it looked familiar. Just as she was about to speak again, she felt a sudden desire to lose her entire dinner. 'Wait' she thought, 'this is not sickness, it couldn't be, I never get sick from tapping a keg'.
"whaaaaaaaaaa"..................

The next thing Sydney knew was she was standing amidst her family.......the part that had left on the journey to Tannisbury. She was disoriented when she heard Jacella scream at her. She caught the last part of Jacella's sentence, "we are under attack!!!!!" She looked up and saw a huge sword flying her direction, pommel towards her. Her mind raced as she pushed down the dizziness. She snatched the sword from the air and took a quick look around. What she saw was a band of brigands coming in hard on the group.

Sydney gathered her composure as best as she could just as the front line was severed. A brigand was heading right at her, axe in the air. She pulled her sword up just in time to meet the force of the ugly warrior behind the weapon. She pushed him back and lunged forward, piercing him in the midsection with her sword and watching him fall to the ground. She knelt down and grabbed his axe saying "thank you" to him. She then looked up into the eyes of another brigand standing quite tall above her. As her eyes met his, her reflexes went into action. She stood up fast, pulling the large axe straight up under the chin of the face she just saw. The brigand fell in a heap next to her feet. She looked around and saw that Warner was in trouble, but seeing Tala moving in for the kill, she moved in the opposite direction.

Sydney took a few steps and came upon two warriors bearing down on her. She threw the axe at one without thinking, stopping him dead in his tracks and sliced at the other with the sword as she came back up from the throw.  She missed, something she didn't do often. The brigand took a swing, she pulled back fast and he just barely missed her, ripping the side of her shirt with his axe. As his swing passed by her, she pulled the sword around again and caught him in the back. He fell to the ground hard with a thud. That gave Sydney a moment to breathe.

Her thoughts raced....'sheesh I need my armor' was the first to cross her mind. She was in no way prepared to do battle in her work clothes. She felt the effects of the wine disappearing quickly and was glad. Even though she could fight a battle with the breath of wine....she preferred not to. The next thought was 'how the heck did I get here?' She looked around a saw Jacella fighting off one of the warriors. She chuckled, "That's how, and I should let her fight her own battles for giving me those gowns." She stood for a moment. "Nay nay, I cannot do that, she makes good boots as well", Sydney said. "Obviously I was brought here to help, and that is what I intend to do. At least until I can get back to El Presidente, he needs to be overthrown or at least antagonized while the Lady Chancellor is away".....she laughed and quickly headed in Jacella's direction, to lend the magic boot creator a hand.