Living the Knightmare - Part 1

One glorious Monday, the Tardizord left the Zord Hangar, as usual, with Truro and Dan aboard. Also on board with them were Cedric, Carlos and Carlnados. The Tardizord was now in the familiar location of the Time Tunnel. As it flew, Dan steered it. Five minutes later, a junction appeared, and the Tardizord headed for it. Dan glanced at the Location/Date panel to see where they would land this time. Then, a small smile came to his face. “Hello…” he said to himself. His small smile grew as Truro read out the location on the Location/Date panel.

“Knight…mare…oh! Knightmare Castle!” Suddenly, Dan’s vision was covered as an odd looking helmet appeared on his head. “What the…oh!” he said, as he eventually removed the helmet from his head. Carlnados squinted at the strange helmet. “Erm, What’s that thing, Dan?” “It’s a Viking helmet.” explained Dan. “Or rather, it’s the Helmet of Justice. It blinds you to the way ahead, but it will still allow you to see directly beneath you.” “Why?” asked Carlos. “Because, in the dungeons of Knightmare Castle, nothing is as it seems. It’s full of illusions.” explained Truro. “Any sign of taking the helmet off in the dungeon and…POOF! Goodbye!” “Exactamundo!” said Dan. At that moment, the Tardizord materialised in, what looked like, an antechamber. A tall man, Treguard, and an elf, Pickle, looked on in disbelief. “Dragon’s Breath!” gasped Treguard. “Root and Fen, master. Do you think this is the Opposition’s doing?” asked Pickle. “This is very peculiar.” “I agree, Pickle. Wait a minute, look!” They watched as the door of the Tardizord opened, and Dan’s head peered out. “Mm-hm. This looks like the antich-er...”he said as he looked around, then spotted Treguard and Pickle looking at him. “…oh, I do beg your pardon.” he apologised, holding the helmet up. “So, that’s where it disappeared to?” said Pickle. “Well, of course, Pickle. Now, for goodness sakes, shush!” scolded Treguard. He chuckled as he turned back to Dan. “Don’t mind him. He’s demented sometimes. That’s a good trick by the way.” “Thank you, but it’s nothing really.” said Dan, modestly, beckoning the others to come out. First Truro, then Carlos, then Carlnados and finally Cedric, who shut the door, shrunk the Tardizord and handed it to Dan. “Quite a number of friends…what was your name, again?” Treguard started. “I’m Dan, from Shining Hills.” explained Dan, and introduced the others to Treguard and Pickle. He the proceeded to give the helmet to Treguard. “Thank you. Pickle, the Book of Quests, if you please.” “Coming right up, Master!” came a reply, as Pickle searched for the book. “Now, I’m sure you know about Lord Fear?” started Treguard. “I do indeed.” said Dan. “He has been taking a heavy toll on Dungeoneers lately.” sighed Treguard. “Dan. Who’s this Lord Fear geezer?” asked Truro. “Oh, really, Truro! Lord Fear is the leader of the Opposition, who delights in dark humour and technomancy!” explained Dan, rolling his eyes. “And, according to Treguard, he’s been racking up win after win recently.” “That’s correct.” came a voice from behind them. The five turned around and faced the mirror. “Truro, this is Lord Fear.” Dan said, through clenched teeth, glancing over his shoulder. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Quite a Motley Crew you have there, Treguard,” laughed Lord Fear. “You’d be better off sending Dickle!” “It’s PICKLE!” shouted Pickle, Dan, Carlos, Carlnados, Cedric and Truro altogether. “Yes. Precisely!” sneered Lord Fear. “Lord Fear, prepare to lose. I’ll wipe that smirk off your smug face!” said Truro. “Is that a challenge?” asked Lord Fear. “You bet it is!” replied Truro. Lord Fear disappeared from the mirror. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” asked Treguard. “I’m certain, Treguard. You’re overdue a win, so I’ll give you a win.” replied Truro. “In that case, Pickle. The knapsack, Eyeshield and helmet.” ordered Treguard. “Right away, Master.” replied Pickle. “Here we are.” “That was quick. Do you mind if I do the honours?” asked Dan. “Of course not.” replied Treguard. “Go right ahead.” Dan helped Truro with the knapsack and the Eyeshield and explained their uses, and placed the helmet on Truro’s head. “You know about that already.” Dan said. “We’ll advise from up here.” “There’s a portal just in front of you, so good luck and step bravely forward!” called Treguard. “Whoosh! Bom! “Always wanted to say this. Where am I?” asked Truro. Carlos described a cliff face with four symbols on the floor. “Ah. All roads lead somewhere, team.” explained Treguard. “What you have here are the symbols to the four classic quests – The Cup, The Sword, The Crown or the Shield. All perilous, but all equally rewarding. Which one will it be?” “What do you reckon, guys?” asked Truro. “Shall we try for the Sword?” asked Carlnados. “All right. Where’s the tile?” “It’s on your far left, Truro.” replied Cedric. So, Truro moved to his far left with help from Cedric’s directions. “Whoa!” said Cedric and Truro stopped on the sword tile. A golden path of hexagons appeared in front of Truro. “OK, Truro. Move forward, carefully.” advised Dan. Truro moved forward along the path, through the portal and into the next room. Cedric described the spacious room with a table of objects in the middle. “It looks like a clue room, I think, Dan.” observed Carlos. “Very observant.” said Dan. “You’re right, Carlos. This is indeed a clue room. Here, you may find objects which could be useful on the quest.” stated Treguard. “Much of interest I think, Master.” said Pickle. “Can you see the table?” asked Dan. “Er, yes. I can see the legs.” replied Truro, moving towards the table legs. “Ah, there we are.” On the table was a bar of gold, a jester’s clown, a scroll, a fish and a banana. “First of all, could you open the scroll?” asked Dan. “Certainly.” replied Truro, picking up the scroll and opening it up. “It says: “Get a laugh and pay the fare. The fish is off today.” “In that case, could you put the banana in the knapsack?” asked Dan, as he noticed the life force clock showing the early stages of condition amber. Truro put the banana in the knapsack. “Well, that’s a funny place to put it, I’m sure.” Carlos said, blinking in disbelief. He jumped when he saw the life force clock turn from amber back to green suddenly. “Life force. That’s what it is.” explained Dan. “Er, Truro. Returning to those other items, I think we should take the gold and the clown.” he suggested. “OK. The scroll said the fish was off, so here goes.” said Truro, holding the gold and the clown in either hand. Having done that, Dan directed Truro to the next portal which led to…a dwarf tunnel. “Oof! Ow!” he cried as he bumped his head. “Better be careful, Truro! These are…er…smallish tunnels which were once used by dwarves, but are now used by goblins.” warned Treguard. “Thanks(!)” sighed Truro. As he was guided along the tunnels, he noticed something by his feet, beneath the helmet. “It looks like a magnifying glass – a spyglass?” “It IS a spyglass, Truro. Hold it up in front of the Eyeshield.” instructed Treguard. Truro put the gold down and held up the spyglass to the Eyeshield. The live image of Lord Fear appeared in the spyglass. “Skarkill!” he growled. “Skar…ah, there you are. “And what do I owe this pleasure, your Fearship…er, Lordship?” came the reply, as the ruffian goblin master, Skarkill, appeared in the Pool of Harassity. “I thought I’d let you know, Skarkill, that there is a new dungeoneer in the first level. I want you to dispose of him. I don’t want my unbeaten record broken!” replied Lord Fear. “I’ll soon track him down and clasp the irons on him. Ha-ha! Lovely!” Skarkill laughed. “Oh, just one thing though, your Lordship.” “What’s that, Skarkill?” “Well, If they’re ahead of me, then I’m gonna need the code for the causeway, ain’t I?” Lord Fear slid his hand down his face. “You know, Skarkill? Sometimes, I don’t know why I bother with your stupidity. Alright. Very well. Since you have a rather odd look on you today, I suggest you take the odd path. Now…ah. Intruder alert…!” said Lord Fear. “Quick, Truro. Put the spyglass down!” Dan called. Truro threw the spyglass aside and picked the gold back up. “That was some useful eavesdropping, team. Now, I suggest you get moving.” advised Treguard. Carlos guided Truro forward until he came out of the tunnel into open space. “OK, guys. Where am I now?” asked Truro. “How interesting. You’re outside some kind of tavern. You’re in open space, currently.” Dan explained. “I know this tavern anywhere!” said Pickle, suddenly. “It’s the Crazed Heifer! It’s a good place for knowledge, and as we know, knowledge is key!” “Yes, thank you, Pickle. I think the team already know that.” interrupted Treguard. Cedric hastily directed Truro to the tavern’s entrance, because a Pooka had appeared. “Nasty things, Pookas!” remarked Dan. “What’s so harmful about an upside-down green carrot?” enquired Carlos. “I’ll explain later.” replied Dan. Minutes later, Truro was now in the tavern and was ushered to a vacant seat by a jester named Motley. “Park your rear here, sir, and I’ll join you in a moment.” he said. “Oh, thank you.” replied Truro. Right, pay attention, everyone!” called Motley. “What’s the difference between a jeweller and a gaoler? No? One sells watches, one watches cells!” Everyone in the antechamber and Truro burst out with laughter, but the people in the tavern threw tomatoes and cabbages at poor old Motley. “Oh, I give up!” he sighed. “They’re a right miserable lot, you know.” he said as he sat down on Truro’s table. “It’s very difficult to make a living if you can’t make people laugh…especially if you happen to be a jester by the name of Motley, which I am.” “I can imagine how difficult it is.” Truro sympathised. “What’s your name then, traveller?” asked Motley. “I’m Truro.” said Truro. “Truro. Well, I bet it’s shining down there today!” laughed Motley. Truro stifled his laughter. “I’m in need of some new material. Do you have any jokes?” asked Motley. “I’m afraid not. But, I do have this.” Truro replied, holding out the jester’s clown.