King Vogt and the Guardians of the Round Table
– by Mario Cresibene
Chapter 1. In the introduction of King Vogt and the Guardians of the Round Table, King Vogt claimed the legendary sword Excalibur, seizing his rightful place as the Once and Future King of The Land. But before he and the Guardians of the Round Table could embark on their quest, seeking the Commissioner’s Trophy, they had to first prove themselves worthy in the Wild Card Tournament and the Battle of Lake Erie.
Both King Vogt and the dishonorable usurper, Lord Hinch,
chose their champions to lead them into combat. King Vogt selected his Galahad, Sir Gavin Williams—wielding a mighty flail, chains thrashing as he prepared to lay waste to the enemy ranks. Lord Hinch called forth the Northern Knight, Sir Skubal, who gripped a hefty spear of tempered northern steel.
From the first clash in battle, the Guardians suffered a grave misstep. Sir Rodriguez faltering, his sword slipping from his grasp in a moment of distraction, and a Detroit knight seized the opening, striking true. Thus the enemy claimed their first point. Yet Sir Gavin was undeterred, as he continued to lead the charge, swinging his flail with unrelenting fury, smashing enemy after enemy, restoring honor to the Guardians and proving his mastery over the fray.
The field became a crucible of steel as both champions dispatched knight after knight, the battle’s balance hanging in the fray. But by the fourth engagement, the Guardians found their footing. Sir Martinez landed a glancing blow upon Sir Skubal, and Sir Ramírez thrust forward with cunning precision. As the Northern Knight staggered, Sir Arias struck from behind, disarming Sir Skubal momentarily and gaining another point in battle for King Vogt and his crusaders. Thus the Guardians claimed a point—and the score evened—the field alive with tension and the promise of destiny beckoning both sides.
The seventh engagement saw the enemy use as Sir McKinstry drew a dagger after Sir Noel missed a blow, disarming him and granting Lord Hinch and the Tigers of Detroit yet another vital point. Yet in the final engagement, hope was not yet lost for Guardians of the Round Table as King Vogt summoned his Merlin—archwizard Carl Willis—who whispered an ancient incantation into Sir Smith’s ear, who had been dispatched to aid Sir Williams in protecting The Land as the outcome trembled on a razor’s edge. Empowered, Sir Smith deflected the enemy’s pivotal assault, sending the battle into its final phase.
The mighty Northern Knight, Sir Skubal was weary after having waged a worthy battle and struck his spear in the ground as he retired to his tent, giving command over to Sir Vest. And at last, the Guardians launched their ultimate assault, as they saw a break in the Tigers’ defenses. Sir Ramírez advanced deep into enemy territory, striking a critical blow, and yet in the final moment as the battle hung in the balance and victory seemed within grasp, Sir Vest reached down, taking the mighty spear of the Northern Knight, and struck a decisive blow, thus concluding the first battle of the Wildcard Tournament.
Though the Guardians had fought valiantly on the battlefield, the dishonorable usurper Lord Hinch and his army held the narrow victory, 2 to 1. And so concluded the first chapter of the Battle of Lake Erie. Yet The Wildcard Tournament had not yet ended, as two victories in battle are needed to be victorious.
And so, the two sides retire to their tents to rest until the morrow when the second battle shall take place. But now, the beaming light of destiny glows dim as King Vogt and his Champions of The Land must stare defeat in the eyes and conquer not only their foe…but themselves as well. The mistakes and errors of the first battle must serve as lessons…and lessons that are learned and applied quickly…or else the fate of the quest for The Commissioner’s Trophy shall be doomed before it even began.
