07:26:42 : Fern sits down in Gena's lap to tell a story.
 
07:27:54 : Gena_Moore listens intently to Fern's tale...
 
07:31:28 : Fern plucks a string on Gena's guitar and is nearly flung off by the recoil. "Hearken, traveler, and I shall tell thee anon of the story of the Unknown Valiant, who by force of arms won the Joyous Passage of Hearthglen upon Avon."
 
07:34:32 : Gena_Moore tries to work her way around understanding old english and just listens in. She doesn't remember the last time she was... told a story.
 
07:36:25 : Fern nods to Gena. "The regent Archlord Wellby caused heralds to proclaim a tournament for the small folk of Falacaerr, where any man might try his arms in love or war against the arms of his fellow knights, and so win the worship of ladies and the gentry."
 
07:37:59 Gena_Moore: Gena blinks at Fern. "I'm guessing everyone wanted to have a try in the tournament, then?"
 
07:39:46 Fern: "Fair damsel, multitudes thronged undo the passage of arms, not the least of whom were the regent's champions. These valiant and worshipful knights did essay themselves against all comers, vowing not to depart from the field ere he had honorably broken six lances against any as would fain challenge him."
 
07:42:55 Gena_Moore: Gena paused a moment... tried to replace every word that she could barely make out in her head with modern english and nodded. "Those were like the top guys in the land, then. Was anyone able to beat the... erm... the 'Regent's Champions'?"
 
07:51:12 Fern: "Loth were they to challenge to mortal combat; he whom led the gallant four, was he none other than the Black Knight, renowned for mastery of arms and the strength of his gigantic arm? His three companions suffered no want of worship. Riding with the Black Knight was Sir Morvin of Kafia, with Baron Rufus de Fleury, and the presence of Sir August de Percy completed the formidable four. Upon trumpeting, the heralds announced that he who acquited himself most honorably in the field, rightwise he should choose a fair maiden amongst the assembled ladies, to crown as Queen of Love and Beauty."
 
07:58:59 Gena_Moore: Gena listened whilst gently cupping her chin within her hand. "So when it comes down to it... it was all for a girl. Jeez... shoulda' guessed." She smirked a little. "So these four knights... were they like.. unbeatable? Was there nobody that could take on that Black Knight?"
 
08:04:06 Fern: "The right to choose and exalt the station of a fair lady was but one inducement promised to the participants of the passage of arms, my lady," Fern replies. "The knights of Falacaerr wished to win the worship and admiration of the people, to which the regent further appended a prize, so it is said, of ten thousand thalers." Leaving the rocker's other question unanswered for the time being, Fern continued, "Observe how gaily the pennants waved that brave and fateful day, where each man of station arrayed himself before his audience in the lists. The regent attended escorted by a fanciful and extravagant cavalcade, yet all were overshadowed by the presence of Dame Charity Cormack, and the ground itself trembled beneath the rumor of her feet. The heralds pronounced the rules of engagement - that a knight might designate a challenge to an adversary of his choosing, by rapping the butt of his lance against the buckler of that knight for the arms of courtesy, or with the tip if he desired that they should fight in wrath and not love."
 
08:13:16 Gena_Moore: "Popularity and money too... the tournaments in Falacaerr sorta' remind me of ones I've heard of myself. Makes sense though, I guess." Gena folded her arms and sighed, trying to get over the fact many words she barely understood. "So... Charity was there, too?... I think that she must've done pretty well, right? Did she and the Black Knight fight?"
 
08:20:05 Fern: "Did they ...? By no means, my lady, for the Dame Charity will not bring herself to harm a little one, nor can the Black Knight, for all his size and potency - three inches! - challenge her. What manner of sin and shame dost thou consider the manhood of Falacaerr, that we should raise arms against the fairer sex?" Fern asked, frowning at Gena. "Dame Charity knelt outside the lists, watching the little folk tilt beneath the gaze of that fair and radiant brow. At the first four knights essayed to attempt their strength, for who would not desire to boast that he had felled a champion of such renown as the Black Knight? The trumpets sounded and the adversaries clashed, but unequally, for three of the four were felled by the champions of the regents. The fourth alone acquited himself honorably against Sir August, for each brake his lance against the shield of his opponent as fairly as the other."
 
08:30:20 Gena_Moore: Gena forgot that minor detail on the size difference and scratched at her cheek a little. "O-Oh... Yeah, right... right." She nodded, listening on. "So what was supposed to happen in the event of a tie? I mean, because they both broke their lances, did they draw with eachother?... or was it down to swords?" She asked him.
 
08:35:10 Fern: "As they had chosen the arms of courtesy, my lady, the combat concluded with a single tilt of the lance," Fern told her. "The three disgraced knights at once made preparation to surrender a ransom to the victorious knights. Again and again, to the fourth time, the regent's champions were assailed. Here a fortune changed, there an outcome, but on the whole the advantage remained decided with the party of the Black Knight, who himself could boast at the conclusion that he had honorably unpigeoned four adversaries of no mean fame. The crowds quieted; for fain would they have seen the Black Knight disgraced, that many fear him for his cruelty, but none love him. Ere long, none wouldst dare to sit the lance against so dreadful a champion, and the courtiers bade the regent name the Black Knight champion for the day, with the right to choose the Queen of Love and Beauty who should grant the prize and the honor upon the morrow."
 
08:43:28 : "Not all was lost, fair lady," he assured Gena with a soft pat. "For there appeared in the lists, a solitary rider upon a fine pigeon of gray down, bearing but a single shield which carried neither title nor arms of heraldry. This new knight circled 'round the lists and comported himself and his mount with much vigor, skillfully alighting afore the pavilions of the challengers, so that by virtue of his pigeonmanship he won the hearts of the audience. Their well-meaning advice to challenge Sir August, least steady of the Regent's champions, he made no reply, nor would he suffer the marshals to permit his face to be seen. This youth, though slender and not of mighty build, then smote upon the sable buckler of the Black Knight as if he were possessed of madness."
 
08:51:05 : Fern blinks. "Who's laughing at my story? Anyways," he continues, slipping back into the more ancient Falaricae tongue, "the Black Knight emerged from his tent, armed at all points, and his fury at being challenged by one of such slender and meek stature grew the more. 'Hast thou confessed thyself, that ye so rashly challenge such as I to a contest of wrath?' The Unknown Knight, for so he had caused himself to be registered by the marshals of the list, answered, 'Upon my honor, Sir Black Knight, for thou shalt suffer thyself to be known by no other name, I am more prepared than thou to meet demise.' 'See thou that thou be armed at all points, then, and I shall meet thee upon the field of honor shortly," quoth the Black Knight. 'Gramercy for thy admonition, and lest I shall be found wanting in gratitude, get thyself a new mount and unspent arms, for thou shalt have much need of both, Sir Black Knight.'"
 
09:53:12 Gena_Moore: "I didn't hear anybody laughing... " Gena commented, looking around rather cautiously and wondering if she was being singled out somehow before looking back down to Fern. As she listened on, she did almost feel the slight need to chuckle at how Fern was explaining the quotes from either armed combatant. "... Heh, are those really the kinds of threads they gave to eachother? It almost sounds kinda'... cheesy." Gena said honestly. "Then again, I don't really get half of the stuff they said anyway... but I guess that's just where, y'know... dialect differs."
 
09:57:58 : Fern nods up at Gena. "Having exchanged the words of hostility, and though incensed by the brashness wherewithal this insolent whelp proffered mortal combat, yet the Black Knight did not neglect his adversary's warning. He gat himself a new mount, of tried and proven mien, and exchanged his arms for a great spear lest the previous tilts should have weakened the wood of his lance. So armed, the Black Knight and the Unknown Knight flew unto the opposite extremities of the lists. Upon the signal given by the marshals, each flew unto the other with all the wrath of mortal emnity, and each broke his lance fairly upon the shield of the other. Having received each man a new lance for the one which he brake asunder, both champions once more indecisively essayed the field. The third encounter they met yet again as all the multitude gazed in awe; but here fortune changed, for the Black Knight, in seeking to strike the helm of his challenger, himself bore the brunt of the Unknown Gallant's lance full square in his shield. When they loosed from the clash, it was discovered by the marshals that the Black Knight had lost a stirrup in the encounter, and thus he was ajudged disadvantaged and vanquished."
 
10:04:04 Gena_Moore: Gena began learning herself a little further over as Fern's tale was bearing to the rather intense point of the Black Knight's and the Unknown Knight's joust. "Wow... that almost sounds like the Black Knight lost because he replaced his familiar stuff. Drag... Almost feel a little sorry for the guy, but who exactly was the unknown Knight, Fern?... Did he reveal who he was exactly after it was all over?"
 
10:18:48 Fern: "Nay, not yet, fair lady Gena," Fern answered, shaking his head. "The tournament had not yet concluded, for the Black Knight withdrew in the agony of disgrace while the Unknown Valiant declared that he would receive any as dared challenged him. Sir Morvin armed himself first for the tilt, but fared no better than the Black Knight, for in the first pass the Unknown Knight laid this champion low with such a great buffet unto his helm that Sir Morvin fell unpigeoned. Against Baron de Fleury the Unknown Knight displayed courtesy equal to his hitherto exhibited vigor; for, having arrayed himself, the Unknown Knight saw that Baron Fleury had gat himself an untried pigeon, of hasty and intolerant temperment, who flew so madly as to make his rider's aim untenable. Forsaking the advantage to be gained by his opponent's straits, the Unknown Knight raised his lance and would not strike, but flew to the far end of the lists and proffered by herald a chance for his opponent to renew the contest. This the baron refused, avowing himself vanquished by his adversary's courtesy as surely as in a contest of arms. Against the final challenger, Sir August, the Unknown Knight struck with such success that he hurled his opponent out of the lists, and the misfortunate knight had perished there had he not fallen into the lap of fair Dame Charity. The marshals therefore declared the Unknown Knight the undisputed champion of the day's activities," Fern says, tapping one of Gena's zippers.
 
15:34:22 Gena_Moore: "Wow, that Unknown knight, whoever he is, kicks ass!... He beat all those other knights?" Gena exclaimed, perhaps a little too loudly and excitedly as she clapped her hands together, but then there after apologized to Fern in case she were a tad loud for him. "So he'd beaten those four... but did Charity do anything when August was knocked right out of the arena? I mean... did this unknown knight guy get his reward for winning?"
 
15:41:59 : Fern clapped his hands over his head at the loud handclap. "Er ... the paladina delivered him unto the ministrations of the leeches. As for the marshals, whence they came to conduct the victor to the regent's stand, they bid him unhelm himself that his countenance should be seen by the multitude. This he refused, avowing that his reason was his own. The marshals were perfectly content with such an answer, for many a knight had a custom that he should not make his name known, until he had won much worship by some valorous deed. Wherefore the regent bid the champion, the Unknown Knight, to lower his lance that he might place a garland of flowers upon it, to deposit at the feet of whichever woman he should deign to honor as Queen of Love and Beauty. Eager anticipation fell over the throngs as the Unknown Knight mounted his pigeon and circled around the lists slowly, considering each fair face in turn. Some maidens blushed and trembled, some smiled, some avowed pretense not to notice his examination of their features, some turned away, and a few beauties even laughed. Others, fair passing in years, covered their faces with their veils, and these fair women being in no wise inferior for comeliness it must be presumed that, having experienced their share of dignity, they desired to give precedence to the younger generation of damsels. Slowly the Unknown Knight circled, for honor demanded that he should not dwell overlong upon one comely face. When he had finished, the Unknown Valiant bowed before the lord regent, and announced that his decision should be made." Here Fern pauses dramatically, waiting to see how much of Gena's attention he had.
 
15:49:34 Gena_Moore: Gena didn't press as to what exactly the 'ministrations of the leeches' meant. Instead, she just piqued her curiosity towards this final revelation, her eyes rather wide now as the suspense. "... Yeah, and?... and? So, he didn't take off his helmet, but who did he choose out of all the damsels?... It isn't anyone I'll know about, is it? I don't think Charity's actually told me too much about... Falacaerr girls... not that I remember the names, at least."
 
15:56:15 Fern: Clearly enjoying himself, Fern drew out the tale. "The Unknown Knight ... flew straight to the lovely Dame Charity Cormack, whose gigantic form overshadowed the entire passage of arms, and there deposited the garland of Queen of Love and Beauty into her lap. At once the heralds sounded, declaring the honorable Lady Charity as Queen of Love and Beauty and calling for the reverence due to her, whilst menacing with suitable penalties any who set themselves to defy her authority. Amongst the beauties of Falacaerr were some who murmured that the crown should thus be delivered to the feet of one of such titanic stature, overtopping all in size if not in station, but such was the goodwill and charitable works for which the good Dame was renowned that the roar of acclaim was nigh universal. Having acquitted himself thus of his duty and honor, the Unknown Knight beseeched the regent lord his pardons, that he might be absent for the evening banquet. "For I," quoth he, "am fatigued by the stresses of the day; yea, no adversary hath ever tried me so sorely as the Black Knight and his worthy companions, wherefore I beg thy leave and thy pardon. I had rather rest me than be king over the world," and he groaned passing sore. This the regent gave somewhat discontentedly, though the Dame Charity assured him that her presence would grace the banquet if no objection were given unto her appetite. None being voiced, she went and the Unknown Knight vanished to prepare himself for the morrow's trials."
 
16:14:09 Fern: "Upon the morrow the heralds sounded, that a general melee should be held in the lists whereby each man might so prove himself, if he did wish to joust against his opponents. Desirous to avoid ruinous casualties, the regent declared that the melee should be done in love for the charge, whereupon each knight must submit his lance to be fixed by round wood upon the extremities and suffer not a sharp blade to be used. To the first party, the Black Knight captained, joined by his companions, save Sir August yet too injured from his wounds to participate." Fern tilted his head a little. "The Unknown Gallant, for so the crowd had come to know him, should captain the other, with the onset to be given by the signal from the regent lord and to end when he should cast down his banner, that the combat may not tarry overlong. The rules of engagement the heralds repeated loudly, that he who was dismounted might fight on foot with his sword and mace, that he who remained on pigeonback should not be suffered to strike at a knight on foot nor he on foot to strike at he who was mounted, the penalty for such a violation being immediate forfeiture. He that were forced out of the lists, the same should likewise forfeit, and the champion who acquitted himself most honorably that day should receive his prize from the fair hand of the Queen of Love and Beauty herself. Accordingly, when the Queen of Love and Beauty presented herself upon the field of arms, the regent dismounted from his pigeon and offered himself as escort to the lady Charity, to guide her to her appointed place at the head of the lists whence her fair eye might see the entirety of the contest. 'For thus,' saith he, 'do the knights who desire love and honor do esteem their ladies, and they who esteem worship should in likewise esteem she who would profess most admiration for thy mien.' Having conducted the Queen of Love and Beauty to her place, the regent seated himself again and bid the heralds sound the trumpet to commence the general melee."
 
16:41:01 Gena_Moore: Hearing that the Unknown knight had in fact chosen Charity in the end, Gena gasped a little at this turn of events in the tale. "Whoa! He actually went for Charity!... Huh, actually, that kinda' doesn't surprise me that much... honestly, even if she was... hundreds and hundreds of times bigger, she's nice enough to be perfect for him. I do think they must've been more accepting of those sort of circumstances in Falacaerr though." She sighed, thinking a little of such a scenario whilst Fern continued on with the story. She listened in as he spoke of the further trials and events that would follow. "They did it again the next day?... But I don't... completely get it." She said, scratching her head through her croppy hair.
 
16:43:16 Fern: "... Don't get what, big guy?" Fern asked, pausing in his story as he looked up at Gena. "Sorry, I'm a bit hoarse from talking so much." He did think it was a very romantic story himself - after all, he had been at the tournament himself, watching on his perch on Charity's high heels which she had taken off her feet when she knelt by the lists.
 
16:46:21 Gena_Moore: Gena huffs. "For starters... remember, I'm female, Fern... " She reminded him, putting a single hand over her chest as some kind of reminding gesture. "And what I don't get... is why have another tournament when the unknown knight already proved himself and made his notion to Charity? Maybe it's just me... but I just don't see the need if he already beat the Dark Knight and those other Regent guys." She sighed, shaking her head in confusion. "Sorry if it's, like, some kind of familiar custom in Falacaerr..."
 
16:52:21 Fern: "You should be an exchange student one day in Falacaerr, Gena," Fern grins cheekily, but politely looking at her face instead of ... well, they were enormous to him, at least. "Day one was the individual joust, day two was the melee and the king-of-the-hill, if you will. And besides, it was a chance to receive the prize of ten thousand thalers from the hand of the Queen of Love and Beauty herself. To add to which," he confided, "the Queen publicly announced that she would give a kiss to the victor. I'm telling you, there were a lot of knights there who would give anything for a kiss from Dame Charity. Anything else you wanna know before I go on?"
 
17:04:18 Gena_Moore: "I think that's all I needed to know, just wanted to clear that up." Gena chuckled, giving Fern a modest smile. "Honestly, it's hard for me to keep up sometimes with some of the words you use. Ain't your fault, though. I'm just... simple." She sighed, though with a smile on her face as she did so. "But go on, sorry for cuttin' your comm'. Carry on, Fern."
 
17:09:58 Fern: "And she says she has difficulties with my words," Fern muttered to himself. "Comm ... but anyways, ahem. Upon the sounding forth the trumpet, each side sallied forth, one hundred knight on either party. For with the Regent's champions stood many knights of renown and worship, desirous to champion the cause of so powerful a man as the regent; but many of the dispossessed and men of no mean fame flocked as well to so stalwart a champion as the Unknown Valiant had proven, who had overthrown the Black Knight the previous day, a feat no other man in living memory save one could boast. When the fury of the combat met, full half of the knighthood lay felled in the wrath of the first charge; and these, arising, did battle beneath the curtain of feathers as their comrades clashed in the skies above. The Unknown Valiant and the Black Knight especially designated each other as the primary opponent; but whether through artifice or fortune, neither could long come to grips with his mortal enemy ere another bid him defiance. Forth the melee pressed, and the Unknown Valiant overthrew six knights of renown that day, and the Black Knight served likewise unto four, until the leaders of the press met."
 
17:17:27 Gena_Moore: Gena listened to the events that took place during the battle in Fern's tale and was surprised at just how vast it turned out to be. "One hundred on each side... jeez, that's some kinda' battle, even if it is just a tournament." She said in a keen tone of voice, smiling. "So really, it was coming down to the Black Knight and the Unknown guy once again... " She stated. "All for a kiss from Miss Charity..." Gena muttered at last part to herself before returning her attention to Fern.
 
17:32:59 Fern: "My great regret is that I was not yet of age to participate, for fain would I have received a chaste kiss from those perfect lips," Fern sighed wistfully, lost in thought for a moment. "So many brave knights did indeed risk life and limb in mortal peril for a kiss from the fair giantess, renowned for kindness as for beauty. Yet at that moment the party of the Unknown Valiant had the worst, for the might of Sir Morvin upon the right, and that of Baron Fleury upon the left, did scatter all who sought to assail them. Having freed themselves from the press, their first thought was to rush immediately to the aid of their leader, and sorely pressed would the Unknown Valiant have been indeed to withstand such a charge had not a universal outcry amongst the populace alerted him to it. Thus the leader found himself engaged and beset by three opponents of the highest caliber."
 
17:45:53 Gena_Moore: 'Hey, it isn't like you can't get a kiss of Charity almost anytime nowadays, right Fern?" She chuckled a little, bringing a single finger down to gently poke at Fern and give him a little, mocking shove. As he went on to explain the Unknown knight's predicament in the tournemant, she suddenly looked rather surprised with a stare of anticipation aimed upon Fern. "Three on one now? That's a little harsh, ain't it?" Gena huffed, but she figured that it was only fair game in the circumstances of this particular tournament.
 
17:56:18 Fern: "Forsooth - hey!" Fern gasped out as the poke knocked him into Gena's formidable lap. "Well, sure, if she likes you, but ... this time, Charity was Queen of Love and Beauty too, and to be kissed by her after winning a victory ... I dunno, it's something I dream about," Fern tells her before resuming the story. "Ill had it gone for the Unknown Knight, save that he reined in his pigeon and the clash of the charge nearly ruined the two. But anon all turned upon him, and surely he had been cast down, save that the pigeon of Sir Morvin had been wounded earlier and bled much, while those of both the Black Knight and Baron Fleury were wearied by the weight of their titanic masters. By his masterful pigeonmanship therefore the Unknown Valiant held all three at bay, as the audience with one voice implored the regent to throw down his banner, and therefore save such a brave warrior from so ignonamous a fate as to be overborne by odds. 'Nay, by my troth I shall do no such thing," saith the regent; 'for he hath overthrown the Black Knight but yesterday, whose boast was that none might. Shall we not essay his strength for this day as well?' Now flying and now fighting, the Unknown Knight evaded his pursuers, until by reason of much loss of blood Sir Morvin were felled. Baron Fleury being separated in the press, the Black Knight and the Unknown Gallant rushed upon each other with such ferocity, and smote each other with such great vigor, that both were driven and overthrown upon the field to descend. Then the Black Knight addressed himself on foot, and bid the Unknown Knight do battle with him to the uttermost."
 
14:29:34 : Fern misinterpreted Gena's silence for understanding of the dangerous stakes at hand. "Having bid defiance, the Black Knight essayed his strength upon the Nameless Gallant, for there were none in the world who could withstand the arm of the Black Knight. His greatsword he alone bore sufficient strength to wield in one hand, and his shield bore the arrogant device, 'Cave, adsum.' Then the two champions rushed upon each other in great fury, and the Nameless Knight's heart misgave him, for aught felt he that his strength were opposed not to that of a knight but a giant. Then each stood his ground, and the mortal contest in the lists stilled, for the combat had grown faint as men watched their leaders decide the contest. Each of the champions dealt the other many a sad stroke, until the Black Knight smote upon the helm of the Unknown Knight such a sore buffet as to make him near to swoon. 'Verily,' quoth the Black Knight, 'none hath chased me so sorely as thou hast today and yesterday, Sir Nameless, wherefore I shall be sore aggrieved that thou shalt not be named.' 'This reason thou mayest not know, Sir Black Knight,' rejoined the fallen champion, 'now I bid thee end this mortal contest, for I shall have no ransom from thy hand save were it paid in blood.' 'Less were I to blame,' saith the Black Knight, 'no man dare raise his arm to me, I, the Sable Champion. Hath the mention of my title not stilled the crying of children at night, and caused many a fair maiden to weep in despair, when her champion refused to meet my blade?' 'As thou wilt not be known by any name, ask not after my own,' said the Unknown Knight, and he commended his soul to God."
 
14:39:56 Gena_Moore: Gena brought both hands together and rested them in her lap nearby Fern, leaning in and going unblinking at this intense showdown between each unidentified warrior. It hadn't occurred as stuch that the Black Knight himself wasn't properly known until Fern mentioned in within the story itself. "Wow, these guys are seriously aggravated by something so... " 'Dumb' was in fact the word Gena was going for, but that might've been a tad insulting to the honor of those knights... and a little to Fern as well. "So... who actually won? Or did they just finish it off by hurting eachothers feelings?" Gena asked, mostly to reduce the tension that Fern was causing with the suspense.
 
14:54:40 : Fern paused thoughtfully before replying. "Such mortal defiance could end solely by mortal means, fair lady Gena," he answered at last, resting his back on one of her hands and his feet on the other. "This tale of valor, indeed, bespoke of grim and fell aspect towards the Unknown Knight. The Black Knight swung his sword, for even then the regent refused to end the combat, though all the masses with one voice implored that he should save the brave unknown from such a shameful fate as to be felled by the Black Knight. But the Black Knight clave only steel, for the Nameless Gallant intercepted his sword with his trusty buckler. Then he gat unto his feet, and the combat resumed with all the fury of before. At length, sensing that the Unknown Knight resisted his strikes in this mortal contest, the Black Knight so dispensed his blows by fury rather than art. Fearful indeed lay the Unknown Knight when he felt the magnificent strength of the Black Knight upon his armor. Then he defended himself with the greater caution, and each villified the other, and delivered many a mighty blow and a sore stroke. The Black Knight set upon the Unknown Gallant in the most orgulous manner, and the Unknown Knight doubled his strokes, until with a mighty blow he clave the helm of the Black Knight asunder as the Black Knight's sword sought his breast. Desirious of sparing his champion from certain death at the hands of the Nameless Valiant, the regent cast down his banner, and by acclamation the people and the heralds proclaimed that, 'He who is Nameless, the Unknown Knight, so the selfsame hath won the field!' Loth were the regent to confirm this, and fury burned in the brow of his erstwhile champion, as the marshals joyously led he who had conquered to the feet of his chosen Queen of Love and Beauty - that is to say in the tongue of the poet, La Dame des Belle et Amour. Gently she reached to place the victor's crown upon his brow, did the worthy Dame Charity, when all prayed with one voice that he might suffer himself to be unhelmed. 'For it is against all the laws of chivalry,' saith the assembled, 'that he who has won such magnificent triumph, shall yet win neither worship nor fame for his herald.'"
 
15:10:21 Gena_Moore: Gena nodded her head, actually able to understand completely what Fern told her... and that she could begin to sympathize with a little. Still, she wasn't one to turn down the excitement of a fight this intense, even if it was simply being orally recalled by word of mouth. She almost winced ever time that Fern spoke of a blow that could've meant the end of either warrior, but in actual fact, she felt some relief when it was finally foretold that the Unknown Knight was victorious over the Black Knight, even after... in Gena's words, the 'Ass-kicking' he was granting him. "Heh, sweet! I kinda' figured he's win over that Black Knight!... " Gena said, swinging her fist through the air as some strange boost of morale the turnout of the story seemed to bring her. "... So... did he take of his helmet for 'Dame' Charity?"
 
15:18:01 Fern: "Whoa!" Fern yelped as his comfortable cushion of her hand turned into a not-so-comfortable fist which sped through the wind, and he winced a little. "To the prayer of the marshals and the masses, that he should unlace his helm, or at the least suffer his visor to be lifted, the Unknown Knight made but faint protest. Such remonstrance escaped the ear of the marshals of the lists, who joyously removed the plate from his brow. Unto the victorious knight the Queen of Love and Beauty delivered the guerdon from her own fair hand, placing it with the delicateness peculiar unto the female persuasion upon his brow. Then she lifted him in her palm, exalting him above the multitudes, that all might behold the kiss of the favor of the Queen of Love and Beauty. Hence it might have ended, save that he, bowing low to kiss her fingers, yet swooned further and collapsed insensible in the palm of her hand. No sooner had the Lady Charity beheld this, and his features, than she shrieked like a woman who has beheld Death. Lightly the worthy dame sprang to her feet, bearing from the joyous passage of lists her wounded champion, and they beheld the tip of a blade lodged firmly in his breast whence the plate was removed. For the Black Knight had delivered this last, deadly stroke, seeking even to pierce the heart asunder. And well might the gentle giantess Charity swiftly seek aid for him, for in her lovely hand she held none other than the man whose profession of forbidden love to her had caused his banishment, Sir Charles Covington.
"
15:28:55 Gena_Moore: Gena shook her hand off a little, apologizing to Fern before he went on... now that the Unknown Knight had been made named victorious amongst the combatants. She softly smiled, practically awaiting the point in which he would meet closely with Charity and receive that desired kiss. She tried to get some kind of... temporary glimpse in her head, conjured together to form some kind of appearance for what the Unknown Knight would look like when he removed his helmet, but then Fern dropped the dramatic bombshell that snapped her out of her little mind idling. "W-wait!... Wait a minute! Are you saying that he just died just as he was... " Gena gasped, genuinely blind-sided by what Fern had told her. "He... still got injured against the Black Knight, so... what happened to him, Fern? Was he...?"
 
15:33:18 Fern: "Alas, my lady, that my tale speaketh but this far," Fern sighed in genuine remorse, shaking his head. "Beware thou, lady Gena, thou knowest not thine own strength, before which I am but an insect in thy palm. Lady Charity carried him from the passage of arms at Hearthglen; further than that, no man may say, yet I would willingly endure ten years of suffering to but fight one day at the side of so renowned a champion as Sir Charles," he said, snuggling into her hand before dropping his bard's voice. "I hope he lives, Gena, I really do. Sir Charles, he ... he courted Dame Charity for a time, but he was banished for that forbidden love by his own family ..." Shaking his head, Fern lapsed into a moody silence.
 
15:41:39 Gena_Moore: Gena was caught up in Fern's moment of remorse as she fell silent and just gave such a melancholy gaze. "Wow... I'm sorry, Fern. That's pretty rough... Sir Charles did sound like a pretty awesome kinda' guy, doing all that... for Charity." Gena slammed her bare hand in her lap and huffed. "Drat... now I feel bad for Charity too. Jeez, she must've been heart-broken... seeing that happen, right in front of her after he'd gone to such huge lengths." She did calm down again, resting back on both her hands now as Fern resided in her crossed-legged lap. "Man... now I feel blue."
 
15:47:39 : Fern nodded sagaciously even as she put him in her lap, and he stretched out on the rough denim fabric. "True. When a maiden loves a man ... she cried so much, Gena. And when a man wants to win a girl's attention ... I still can't believe somebody like him was willing to go up against the Black Knight," Fern told her, sighing. "I mean, I want to have my own adventures, you know? But ending up like Sir Charles, fainting in the hand of my lady love and being insensible, while she's screaming and panicked and barely knows what to do? Makes you wonder if it's worth it."
 
15:57:52 Gena_Moore: Gena gazed skyward for some time as she listened to Fern explain his case deeply. "Ending up like Sir Charles... well, I ain't an adventurer, but you know... if he loved Charity that much and was willing to do so many things and take risks to show her how much he cared for her, don't you think that Charles thought it was worth it?..." She leaned her head back to it's natural position, peering down to Fern on her lap and sat upright again. "You can't really say whether it was worth or not, I guess... until it's all over, right? Like... you can't say whether you're gonna' do good or bad on a test until you've taken it and found our your score, right?..." She asked, using her own example of explanation. "Do you understand what I mean? Don't start getting butterflies in your stomach now."
 
16:02:07 : Fern nodded thoughtfully. "I guess ... yeah, you're right. I mean, I was never a good test-taker - I failed math - but Sir Charles must have thought it worthwhile to win honor and esteem for Dame Charity even if it meant that he had to do it under disguise." He held up the jean button for Gena to look at. "I can kinda understand where he was going. If I were older, and had my pigeon license, I'd go right into a tournament and crown Ashley as the Queen of Love and Beauty. She did give me her favor, after all. I'm being dumb, though - I'm not trained like Sir Charles, and if I had to go up against the Black Knight, oh boy ..."
 
16:08:56 Gena_Moore: Gena gently shrugged her shoulders. "They do say love makes people do some outrageous things... but those in love tend to think it's worth the risk." She nodded, peering at the shiny, metallic button that Fern was holding up before her. "... Huh. Ashley, eh?... Is she amongst those 'fair maidens' like Charity you have a liking for?..." She asked him, bringing her head even closer and leaning in to Fern with a smug smile on her mug. "Orrrr... is she the one who have a 'thing' for personality?" She chuckled, bring herself back upright. "But hey, don't start having those thoughts. If you had to fight the Black Knight... well..."
 
16:16:10 : Fern gulped nervously as she lifted him up to her head, anxious in case he had excited the jealousy of another maiden. And the stories of Falacaerr all agreed on what happened to knights who made giantesses jealous; the ones crushed underfoot might consider themselves lucky to be spared her further wrath. "The Black Knight," he shivered. "He's almost three inches tall! And they say he weighs over fifty grams, and he uses a sword in one hand as heavy as I am ... oh, sure, laugh it up, big girl, but I'm telling you that when the Black Knight flies over the countryside on his raven, the beautiful micro maidens of Falacaerr scream and faint," he informed Gena. "I dunno. I like Ashley, she's calm, peaceful, and considerate. Really scary when she gets mad, though."
 
16:26:08 Gena_Moore: Gena quirked a brow at Fern as he explained the terrifying results that the Black Knight's mere presence brought to the maidens of Falacaerr. "Fern... I should show you something... " She told him, gently bringing up down to the ground and letting him slide from her hands before she began to stand to her feet... a great height compared to him. "... Stay right here." She explained, shuffling her guitar from off of her back before she began to move herself over towards the trees nearby. She had the neck of her guitar firmly gripped and raised it upwards like she were wielding a club... then swiftly swung it with tremendous force into the trunk of the tree, causing a splintering crash into the bark and breaking a huge chunk out of it as if she had used a solid mace. Gena exerted herself in her demonstration, leaving the tree but with a gaping hole in it's trunk before she reasserted her guitar upon her back with the strap, coming exactly where she were once sat and smiled with her arms crossed. "... Now, is the Black Knight really that terrifying? And don't tell me he is for someone your size, Fern..." She told him. "And don't worry about the tree. It shouldn't fall or anything..."
 
16:33:47 Fern: "N-no, n-not at all, my lady!" Fern quailed out, trembling and shivering as he stared where Gena had with one mighty blow knocked out the bark from the tree. "A hit like that would knock the famous clock tower, Little Ben, over! Even the Black Knight's strength must be nothing to your own ... befitting a goddess of war more than one of the gentle sex," he murmured, edging away nervously from her as she smugly smiled down at him. "Are all giantesses so frightening when angry?" he asked timidly. "I've never seen Dame Charity lift a hand in wrath to a little one, but ... er, well ..." he fidgeted.
 
16:40:22 Gena_Moore: Gena tried to re-cross her legs and allowed for Fern to return to her lap. "... Well, not really, I don't think. I mean... I'm only like this because I spent most of my time with my dad and my older bro'. They were the one's who taught me I had to toughen up to get through life... " She explained to him, patting her knees gently. "... My dad tells me I get my 'gentle' side from my mom, but I don't get to see much of her... especially not anymore. Still, I've made it this far." She told him, seeming to keep a stiff upper lip about it. "I think Charity's probably one of the most gentle and caring kinda' people I've ever met. I can't think of a better person to take care of all of you micro's, really."
 
16:44:10 Fern: "She's like everyone's mother," Fern sighed, at last seeming to decide that he could trust the tempermental woman who towered over him enough to resume his seat in her lap. "She told me she felt that way once. I told her to announce that she would be everyone's mother-in-law from that point on. Lame joke, I know, but she laughed anyways." Frowning, he tried not to slip off the denim. "She certainly deserves better than to see her gentleman love struck down by the Black Knight like that. Hey, Gena ... you know how I said I'd protect you if you wanted to travel with me?"
 
16:54:48 Gena_Moore: Gena smirked herself as she brought her hand just below of Fern to assist him on his way up, lifting him the rest of the way up before rolling her eyes at him. "Everyone's Mother-in-law... that's just plain cheesy." She grinned, giving Fern a slight head-tilt as he seemed to lower his tone slightly as he went on. "... Erm, yeah? What... don't tell me you're having some second thoughts on the whole adventuring thing now, are you? Or... was it something else?" Gena asked, continuing to be a little brash with her interruptions.
 
16:57:38 Fern: "Well, just ... look at me," Fern told her, sighing as he seated herself in her hand. "Sure, I can talk about protecting you and all that ... but who's really going to be protecting whom when danger comes? Things that would threaten my life, like a spider, you'd simply roll your eyes at." A deep sigh followed this. "I feel ... useless. I want to have adventures, but I feel like I'm just getting myself into trouble. Charity has already saved me so many times..."
 
17:04:38 Gena_Moore: Gena listened to Fern... and whilst he did have a point and some of the most obvious negative factors, she didn't want to put him down. "Fern, don't start being like that. Just because you're small doesn't mean you can't do big things, especially when you're travelling with me." She told him, trying to lean her head down closer. "If you feel small, then you're gonna' just put yourself down. My opinion is that you shouldn't think of things like that as being bigger than you, but just a challenge that you've gotta' overcome." She explained, gently bringing him into one hand. "One biggest example I've noticed... flying pigeons is gonna' be a nightmare if you can't even get over the height of being held up in the hands of someone my size."
 
17:07:58 Fern: "You are very kind, Gena," he replied, taking a deep breath and glancing over the side of her hand for a few moments, until he collapsed back into her palm. "I just ... you know, the story of Sir Charles is a really romantic one ... the story of Fern the Fool, and Ashley who saved him from all the dangers that his stupidity got him into, sounds a lot less appealing. That's why I feel discouraged. She offered to protect me, did you know that? Gena, Ashley offered to protect me ... a man, being protected by a woman, I'm gonna be laughed at all around Falacaerr if she ever repeats that story," he mumbled.
 
17:10:50 Gena_Moore: Gena raised her brow... but whilst wanting to grant Fern some sympathy, she also found herself scowling. "Well, maybe it's a little laughable, Fern... but ya' gotta' remember something." She told him, beginning to ease herself up onto her feet, keeping her hand and Fern upon it steady before pointing at him closely. "A 'woman' is the reason why half all micro's around these parts haven't been stomped on, gobbled up, squished and all sorts of other nasty stuff. One girl defending one guy isn't a big deal when someone like Charity's taking care of masses... I bet some of the higher ups and warrior types in Falacaerr wouldn't complain about Charity looking out for them. Why should you?"
 
17:17:17 Fern: "Hah, I guess you're right ... times really are changing," Fern sighed, snorting at himself even as she raised him up higher into the air. "Micro rights movements, paladinas in the military ... the age of chivalry really is drawing to a close. What should I do, Gena? I feel lost - this world is changing too fast for me, too fast for a little guy who just wants to have some adventures." He looked at her, as if pleading for answers.
 
17:29:54 Gena_Moore: "My opinion... ya' either move on with the times or you'll end up falling too far behind." Gena suggested to him, slowly bringing Fern towards her shoulder, where he would have a nice place to hold on around the collar of her hooded top. "But that's just me. Who knows, somewhere out there might be a place where the ways of knights and chivalry and all that good stuff might still live on, strong as ever! You're bound to come across different customs in different places." Giving a rather casual picking of her ear with her pinky, she flexed her neck a little and rubbed her behind through her jeans from where she had been grounded for so long. "Look at me. I've had to adjust since coming here... sure, it ain't a jump from the days of castles and maidens to computers and rock music, but it's still takin' some getting used to."
 
17:37:19 Fern: "Move on, or get left behind ..." Fern repeated, clutching her hair tightly as he sat on her shoulders. "Huh. If it's so tough to get used to, Gena, you could come to Falacaerr with me. I'll take you to Charity, and she'll dress you up properly in a fancy dress, and we'll have a coming out party for you when you're seventeen - yeah, and introduce you to the high society of the aristocracy. But, I'm guessing you wouldn't want that," he smiled wistfully, trying not to slip down her shoulder. "Say, what are your plans, anyways?"
 
17:50:54 Gena_Moore: "Hey, I'd be hap-... Hey! Wadda' ya' mean, 'dress me properly'!?" Gena snapped, jerking her head around slightly to try and give Fern a scowling before finally taking a deep breath and letting it slide. "I'd like to go there to learn a little more and maybe meet some of the micro's there, like yourself, Fern... but the second someone comes near me with a tape measure... unless it's Charity." Gena rolls her eyes. "As for my plans, I haven't a clue. I haven't even got a place to spend the night yet, Fern. I'm sorta'... wandering."
 
17:56:20 Fern: "Whoa, look out!" Fern cried, nearly thrown when Gena's head snapped towards him in ire, clinging only to her hairs. Feeling very much like an insect beneath her gaze, the adventurer gulped and shrank noticeably in posture. "Uhh, yeah ... meet some friends. Maybe perform your music. Step on the Black Knight, with luck. But if you want to wander, you might as well come with me and have some adventures," he nodded to her. "What do you say, Gena? You'll have stories, and I'll protect you."
 
18:13:00 Gena_Moore: "I think that it'd be hard for people in Falacaerr to adjust to my style of music. As you've heard..." Gena giggled a little behind closed lips. "Well, I did like your first story.... and if you'll watch my back, I'll watch yours, Fern." Telling him this, she gently reached around with her pinky. "Here. Shake on it, 'partner'."
 
18:15:54 Fern: "Er ... I would be pleased, my lady." Instead of shaking her pinky, the adventurer bowed gracefully to her enormous face before planting a knightly kiss on the fingernail. "I thank you for your consideration. And of course, I would be happy to keep telling stories ... though, perhaps, even happier to experience some, that would be told be others," he said, smiling up at her. "Well then, Gena! Where to now?"
 
18:22:27 Gena_Moore: Gena chuckled at the charming manner in which Fern accepted the arrangements and lowered her hand once again. "Personally, the idea of being in tales and stories that could be told to kids in Falacaerr before they go to bed just sounds awesome!" She cheered, feeling rather confident and proud now as she began deciding where to go... until came a loud, disturbing, audible grumble from Gene's abdomen. "Uhhhg... I think before we go looking for dragons to slay and damsels to rescue, I think we should find some grub. I'm starvin'!" She groaned, rubbing her stomach with both hands, but with a smile on her face.