King Vogt and the Guardians of the Round Table
— by Mario Crescibene
Chapter 5. Sir Messick and Sir Hedges knelt before King Vogt in his great hall, Excalibur resting against his throne. King Vogt wore a troubled look on his normally stoic face as he explained why he had summoned the two knights there.
“My brave knights, several of your fellow Guardians have already seen the Holy Grail. Both Sir Kwan and Sir Bibee said that while it is the chalice of our Lord, it brings with it a greater
lesson or message. We must understand this divine relic better. That is your quest today.”
Sir Messick stood proudly, thumping the red ‘C’ on his chestplate, and declared, “For our King’s honor, and the glory of our Lord.”
King Vogt’s serious expression did not change as he continued.
“There is a reason I am sending you on this quest together, however. The fearsome sorceress Morgana Le Fey has returned — and I have finally learned from my royal herald, Andre Knott, who it is — for a magic has been draining the Guardians of the Round Table as we quest for the Holy Grail and the Commissioner’s Trophy.”
At that Sir Hedges stood and triumphantly declared, “No one can take down the unstoppable force of the righteous” — as he swung his arm around Sir Messick with a wide grin on his face — “and the radiant” — as he thumped the ‘C’ on his chest.
King Vogt continued unfazed, “This force can. The Dread Warlock Dolan has taken the form of Morgana Le Fey reincarnated. Our archmage, Carl Willis, has explained to me how the warlock’s magic has been draining us in our efforts: he explained that some wizards cast spells, but others manipulate energy by leaching it from others. Even though the Dread Warlock Dolan is from The Land, his refusal to help our cuase creates a drain that has been affecting us greatly. And that is why our knights have been impeded in our sacred quest. The sorcery of the Dread Warlock Dolan is a powerful magic, and only the pure of heart will be able to resist it.”
Sir Messick swung his arm around Sir Hedges, “No matter my liege. There is no magic that can defeat the Righteous and the Radiant!”
King Vogt allowed himself the faintest trace of a smile. “Then go, Sir Messick and Sir Hedges. Find the Grail, but be mindful of what stands in your way. The Land is counting on you both.”
And so, the two knights set off. It wasn’t long until they found themselves walking through the woods. Messick turned to Hedges.
“Do you know that we have embarked on 23 quests this campaign, you and I?”
“Every single one,” Hedges responded before adding sheepishly, “except the Tournament of Stars.”
“Truly, you should have been there as well,” Messick responded. “Your campaign surely has been worthy of a Tournament nod.”
“I would have to agree,” Sir Hedges replied.
But at that moment, the two came upon a large field.
“Look at the other side of the field,” Hedges whispered. “Do you see what I see?”
“I do indeed,” returned Sir Messick as the two looked out at an encampment of 9 knights wearing black and red — each with the emblem of a Black Sock on their chest.
Hedges looked at Messick with a grin.
“But our quest is to find the Holy Grail,” Sir Messick insisted.
“We cannot turn down a battle with a band of Black Sox!” Hedges returned, already rearing for battle. He continued, “Alas, for all we know, the path to the Holy Grail runs through the Black Sox’s encampment.”
Sir Messick squinted at the tents and then smiled in agreement. “You are indeed wise Sir Hedges. Why would there be a band of Black Sox right there if we weren’t divinely destined to engage them in battle?”
“Then it is decided,” Sir Hedges said eagerly, as he began to fasten the straps of his armor.
Sir Messick knelt in prayer next to Hedges — speaking the words that were in his heart. He crossed himself as he finished his prayer, and as he did… a shining light overtook the field. The blinding light made both Sir Messick and Sir Hedges shield their eyes — though the band of Black Sox, just fifty yards off, remained oblivious to the miracle taking place:
“Sir Messick and Sir Hedges… you are worthy.”
“Sir Messick, your guiding light is your faith: You go into every battle with faith, and that makes others have faith in you.”
“Sir Hedges, your positivity is your guiding light… and it radiates to others. You have been doubted for your offense… yet that has never broken your spirit. And as your reward… your offense is now matching your elite defense.”
“You see… your faith… and your spirit… are what led both of you here today. They are your guiding lights… and you have been given them as gifts, so that you may guide others. Now go!”
With that, the light seemed to fold in on itself, contracting into a single blinding point — and then it burst outward, radiating in every direction — the Black Sox still unaware of what was happening behind them.
As the light faded, Sir Messick and Sir Hedges stared at each other in silence. Then their eyes dropped — almost in unison — to the other’s chestplate, where a golden trim now lined the red ‘C’.
Then turning toward the unsuspecting band of Black Sox they lowered their visors, and charged into battle…
