Trouble brewing

[Lynx]

Great! You are an execellent story-teller Markassius!
I know the problem of building and storing the scenes every day 

[conniefrere]

Great thread, I always like those playmostories of other forummembers. By the way, the radio in the kings room is there for a reason you did not tell us? 

[Markassius]

I managed to reclaim the royal castle from my two daughters. And it is hard to take good pictures when on my belly.  

After the last of the convoy passed through the mighty gates, they started to close.
A small *thud* could be heard if one was paying attention. Without another sound, the gatekeeper fell on the ground.

Just before the gates closed completely, a figure jumped through. He threw away the piece of wood he had used to help the gatekeeper get some rest and watched the convoy disappear towards the north - where Falcon Keep was located beyond the great forrest.

Who was this guy? He was wearing the colors of the king, yet he moved like an outlaw.
He sneaked around the south corner of the castle. The guards on the walls did not see him, they were all looking to the north, looking at the convoy.

Only a small boy that had climbed the south wall noticed him.
"Psst. Over here, Robin. The horses are over here!" he silently shouted.
Robin -for that was indeed his name- found what he was looking for.

"Thank you, young prince. But I will only need one horse. Please take care of your mother, sister and grandfather! They will need all the support and help in these troubling times."
Prince William nodded. "I will. You take care as well. I hope you will find the help you said would be in the mountains. Beware of the wild animals and men."
Robin took one last look at the castle and the small boy, before he turned his horse and road south. towards the mountains that could be seen on the horizon.

[PlaymoMan]

Wow, great story!

[Markassius]

After a couple of hours, Robin came to a small stream. He followed it for a while and sure enough a bridge appeared from between the trees.

Wondering what was spooking it, he calmed his horse. "Easy boy. I feel something too. And where are the guards?"
This bridge marked the border of the lands of Lionheart. Although the opposite bank was part of the mountain lands and there hadn't been a war between these two nations for over 100 years, leaving the bridge unguarded was sure not a normal thing to do.
Robin was so busy with the horse that he did not notice the strange man in the forrest.

After dismounting, Robin took the horse and started to walk cautiously over the bridge.
"No guards. The king must have called them back because of the troubles brewing".

The strange man murmured and giggled. With a bang, the smell of sulphur filled the sky and two large, wild and to Robin strange animals appeared.
Startled, he fell backward, letting the reigns go. The horse ran back to the safety on the good side of the bridge.

After no more than a second, Robin jump back onto his feet, his sword ready in his hand.
"I do not know from whence you came. I have no wish to kill, but I will defend myself and this bridge!"
The strange man watched silently what was unfolding, never letting his eyes off of Robin.
The two tigers, for that was what they were, took one look at the sword and its wielder. They decided to go hunt for an easier prey.

Robin put away his sword and whistled. His horse appeared from the trees. Robin led it to the water and made it drink.
He patted its back and whispered "I too was scared and I don't blame you for running. Now relax and enjoy the rest."
The strange man decided he had seen enough and started walking towards Robin.

Sensing the approach, Robin turned around quickly. His sword was back in his hand. He hesitated. Why was the horse still drinking? Why didn't it run away like before?
"Your horse has felt my presence too, young man. But his judgement of character is untainted by man-fighting. Rest assured, I bring you no harm" the strange man said.

Robin decided to trust the instincts of his horse and put away his sword. The strange man sat down on a tree stump.
"My name is Emrys and I saw how you handled those two tigers. Impressive and kind of you not to kill them."
"Tigers you say? Do you mean those two catlike creatures that appeared out of nowhere? Do you know where they came from?" Robin asked, sitting down next to the man.
Emrys giggled. "Why out of magic, of course. With a little help from me. I wanted to know how you would handle a crisis with animals before I could decide to help you or not. The way you handled the tigers, without blood shed or killing has made me decide. I will help you."
Robin looked puzzled. How did Emrys know that Robin needed help? And could he trust Emrys to give him the right kind of help?

[Markassius]

Sorry, no new episode today. Have to build the next scene, but the stuff I need is in the kids room. they are sleeping.
Stay tuned for tomorrow.

[Markassius]

After a good nights rest, Robin and Emrys were on their way deeper into the mountains. They had let Robins horse run free, as the small mountain paths were no place for a horse. Robin followed Emrys, as it was clear that the strange man knew exactly where he was going. They kept climbing higher and higher.
Robin stopped for a moment. Was he hearing things? He could make out shouting, growling and even a wooshing sound of fire. He looked around but could see nothing but bear rock and the occasional tree.
Emrys turned around and smiled. "Just around the corner, you will see the origins of the sounds." They rounded a corner and Robin could look down into a valley that was occupied by three stone towers. Among them, he saw little creatures swarm. It also looked like the right tower was set apart from the two on the left, but was connected by a bridge.

Was that their destination? But there was no time to wonder as Emrys was sliding down towards the left tower."
"The reds and greens are at it again",  Emrys said, "when will they ever learn they are one and the same? This way Robin!"
They ran past some red guards that were to busy watching a large red and black dragon approaching a smaller green one.

Robin took a fast look and his face went white. Dragons!
"Don't worry, Robin. They are part of another story, not this one" shouted Emrys.

Seeing the white, puzzled face of Robin, Emrys pointed towards the largest tower, the middle one. "See that gold man up there? He will tell his story someday, but for now we must focus on yours."

They both made their way to the back of the Towers. A small tree had decided this was the perfect place to grow, hiding a small cave at the same time.
Emrys made a small gesture with his hand and the tree moved a little.

"Here, you hold the torch while I go look for it" Emrys said while throwing the burning torch to Robin. Robin cought it perfectly and pointed the light into the cave.
If only he knew what it was.
Suddenly Emrys grabbed something from the floor and blew the sand and dust away. In his hand he held a flat piece of stone. Taking a closer look, Robin noticed it had little drawings on it.

"Yes, yes. This should do the trick" Emrys grinned. "Now we must hurry and get this to Falcon Keep."

[conniefrere]

Nice! You made me curious bout the other story and what's written on the tablet.

[Markassius]

Nice! You made me curious bout the other story and what's written on the tablet.

Patience, all will be revealed... eventually.

At Falcon Keep, the guards were lazily glazing into the distance. When suddenly, one yelled "What? How could they...? Hurry! Get the king!".
Startled, the guard at the gate pointed towards the south where the convoy came into view.

The old king and his son climbed the stairs and looked over the wall.
The king almost fell down when he spotted the yellow knights at his gate. How on earth could they have gotten passed the wolf knights? No one could defeat those six. Had they deserted him? No, that would never happen. A deal once struck was sacred to them.
"We have been send by the good king Lionheart. He wishes to meet your terms even though he does not trust you" the first of the yellow knights shouted.

"Looks like your plan did not work" his son said, "now you will have to let him go."
"Silent! They still have not met their end of the deal. Not yet. Lower the bridge and open the gate!" the king yelled as he made his way down to the court yard.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Keep, two figures appeared out of thin air.
"Why didn't we do this towards the dragon towers?" Robin asked while changing his clothes to look like a Falcon guard.
"Travelling this way takes a lot of my energy" Emrys explained "and I needed that energy to fix another problem of yours."
He handed the tablet over to Robin. "Now you go and get this tablet to the prince. He will know what to do next, I told him years ago when he was just a little brat"

While Robin climbed the tower, at the front the gates had opened. The Falcon knights rode out. The Lion knights formed up as well, while the cart with its precious cargo drove over the bridge and into the court yard. King Falcon was waiting with his son.

Thanks to the diversion created by the cart, Robin was able to get to the prison without anyone really seeing him. His disguise worked!
"Psst", Robin whispered," your highness, I have something for you." He pushed the tablet into the princes hands.
The prince started to smile. "Ah Robin, I see you have met my old friend Emrys. He is a little strange, but a good man. You know, I think he may even have a little magic".
Robin nodded. "Strange man indeed. He said you would know what to do with this tablet. I have to go now, before they find out I am not a real Falcon. But I will stay near you, in case things go bad."

Down in the court yard, the cart had made a 30-pitch turn and the back was now pointing towards the nervous king.
The driver walked around to the back, watching the Falcon guards with a smirk. He unlocked the cart and started to open the door.

Robin had made his way back out of the Keep. He quickly told Emrys about the prince. Emrys nodded. All was going to plan. Their plan, not king Falcon's.
Up in the tower, the locked up prince could not help but smile as he started to read the tablet. Yes, this was exactly what he needed.

[Rhalius]

Great story so far, I wonder whats in the cart.

Robin is a charming fellow by the way.