The RenFest! A nice fun break!
Cassius: *Cassius thought this was stupid. And he was going to boycott all this lovey dovey crap, but then Bronwen had to go and tell MacBeth she was going to be a princess and that’s just ASKING for trouble! So now Cassius was at a Rennaisance Festival eying some very sweet as hell black armor a big flowy cape…*
Dion: *Dion thought a festival like this would be ideal for another date with Ceri. Give her the opportunity to really be a knight. …or his princess! Or both! Either way, Dion was smiling, pulling Ceri off and away from his siblings before they got in to a fight!*
Ceri: *She was still looking around, taking in the sights when Dion grabbed her hand and pulled her away! She smiled.* Stealing me away already? *She teased!*
Dion: *He laughed a bit!* Cassius has that look on him, and he tends to take dressup very seriously… So we may very well be safer in the forest, My Lady.
Cassius: *Yes… very serious indeed! Rubbing his hands together, Cassius had disappeared in to a shop and by the time he returned he was… THE BLACK KING! Laughly loud enough to turn heads, he placed a crown on his head! He’d knock anyone in the face if they tried to dispute him!*
Betty: *She clapped her hands behind him!* Oh, Cassius, you look positively gorgeous! *If it was at all possible, she’d have swooned by now!*
Duncan: *he blinked!* Wow, I do? *He looked up at the hat on his head.*
Cassius: EEYAARGH! *Cassius jumped at least two feet in the air with a clatter of armor! He turned around slowly, his imperious kingly expression on his face as he gave her a scowl!* …Of course I look gorgeous, wench! I am the King!
Betty: *She ran forward and threw her arms around his neck.* Hm … What a hunk of a King, too … *She traced patterns on his chest! He really did look gorgeous!*
Cassius: *Growling under his breath, he was prying Betty off him and pushing her away at a good armlength’s distance. …and then he considered his options! An Evil King cannot spend all day running away from a woman when he has princesses to capture, princes to ruin, and knights to destroy.* …Woman, how am I supposed to conquer this kingdom without a Queen! I need a wench of firey passion if I’m going to lay waste to my enemies!
Betty: *Her face lit up!* Oh! Oh! Please let me be your Queen! *She clapped her hands!* I’ll help you any way I can!
Ceri: *She laughed softly.* It’s a good thing I have you to watch out for me. Are you going to be my prince then?
Duncan: *He was thoughtful for a moment!* Um … Okay. An adventure sounds like fun!
Dion: *Dion cleared his throat, hoping he wasn’t embarrassing himself by blushing.* I do believe I am your prince for the day. Now, what would my Lady Knight like to do first?
Cassius: *HA! His lan was working better than he imagined! With an evil Queen at his side, every last one of them would be doomed!* Excellent! I demand you dress yourself in the finest of threads! Then we will wreck havoc on these pathetic weaklings!
Brennen: *He was dressed in robes and already sampling the finer things in life! Like this apple pie! He hadn’t noticed everyone else had wandered away already!*
Aaron: *He refused to dress up and a single glare at the man who had insisted he had to dress had silenced him. So he found a table to sit at in the food court so he could smoke his pipe!*
Betty: *She was all smiles!* Of course, Your Majesty! *She clapped and squealed in delight as she went to do as told! This was going to be fun!*
Duncan: *Speaking of which … He looked around.* … Has anyone seen Tiny?
Cassius: *Having acquired himself a sword, Cassius pulled it out to point at some people!* YOU. Lowly Peons! I demand that you spread word around the king about… The Black King’s Tournament! Let’s see if anyone dares to think they are as powerful or as amazing as I!
Ceri: *She found herself blushing!* There are a lot of things to do. I’m just glad I get to do them with you. *She couldn’t help herself, she leaned toward him and kissed his cheek.*
Dion: If that is the case, Lady Knight… *Dion replied softly, he was taking her by the arms and pulling her off to a nice secluded area behind the trees! Where he promptly snuck in one hell of a kiss!*
The people blinked but one look at Cassius and they weren’t about to argue with him! They scattered and spread the news!
Cassius: *With his announcement made, it was time for some EVIL DEEDS! Cassius gave a good look around.. Ah ha! He approached a large alien-fellow!* YOU THERE! TROLL! I, The Black King, am in need of your services! There is a Knight that must me crushed!
The alien loved to roleplay so he was ready for this! … And in some ways, wishing for something like this! He bowed! “Yes, Your Majesty!”
The “troll” looked offended at being called such, but he finally shrugged. It sounded like a good time! Trollem required payment for crushing of Knights, though!
Cassius: For you, my dear Troll I will give a feast if you crush the one known as MacBeth and then grab that little redheaded Princess he escorts! Feel free to break his bones and eat his entrails!
Duncan: *He blinked but reluctantly agreed!* Okay … *He kept looking around as he followed Mac and the Captain!*
Betty: *She returned and twirled around for Cassius! She wore a form-fitting black dress with a low neckline and an even lower back! There was a long cape and a crown to match!* What do you think, Your Highness?
Cassius: Hrmph. *Cassius eyed his new Queen critically… Yes, yes she did look like a mighty fine evil queen!* Perfect! Now we will capture a castle whilst my Troll does his work. There is a tourney to prepare for! *Cassius offered his armored arm to his Dark Queen!*
Betty: Oh, Cassius! *She stopped herself in time before she squealed in delight and composed herself! It wouldn’t do for an evil Queen to be giggling like this! She took his arm and gave him a wicked smile.* As you wish, o godly one.
Cassius: *That brought the hugest of smirks to his face!* Godly one. I like that. *He escorted his Queen to the big waiting castle, and drew out his sword again!* Where the thyne pathetic king, so I might cut his throat open and spill his blood!
His Royal Highness, the King of the Festival stay up in the tower looking down at Cassius. “Hark! Yon Knight! This is mine castle! Go find your own!”
Duncan: Oh, sweet. These are real, purebred Elysian mares! They look amazing! *He bent forward on his knees to examine them!*
The troll had to do some searching! There were a lot of princesses and knights here! But that Black Knight had mentioned the princess being redheaded so he started asking around!
Cassius: You flaming coward! Come down from your tower and defend your honor before I piss on your castle and crushing the souls of your people! *Cassius shook his sword at the bastard! Pussy!*
Duncan: Well … the mares are alright, once they’re in a closed space, if sensitive about people pulling their mane, tails, or messing with their horns. It’s the males you have to worry about. *He stood up and shielded his eyes, looking for a male to show the Captain!* Ah, there’s one now! *He pointed to one galloping from the far end of the corral! It was a huge horse! Solid black with red eyes and a spiralling white horn!*
WHAT? Nobody pisses on the King’s castle! The reigning king stomped down the tower’s steps until he came out the door, armed with a sword and ten of his best knights! “CHARGE!” They all rushed forward to teach Cassius a lesson!
Cassius: HA HA HA! Is this all the men you have?! My Queen and I will smash their skulls! *Yes, Cassius was very much enjoying himself! Swinging his sword wildly, throwing out arms and tossing men over moats!*
Betty: *Now this was what she was talking about! She clotheslined the first man who came at her, then grabbed another man by the hair and threw him into the moat, too!*
Duncan: Um … *A sheepish grin!* Actually it’s the males who are the flesh eaters. And … they do have a thing for virgin flesh. As long as that fence stays in one piece, we’ll be fine.
Gasp! All of the King’s knights had been defeated! He did the only thing he COULD do. He ran away, dubbing Cassius the King of the Festival!
Duncan: *He blinked!* Mine? *He scratched his head!*
Cassius: Muaa HA HA HA HA! *Cassius posed victorious at the foot of his glorious new castle!* See, my Queen… we are the ultimate power is this grim little universe! Soon, my epic talents will be known thruough the land as I squash every knight and get my revenge on that MacBeth!
Duncan: *He laughed and scratched the back of his head!* Heh heh. Oh yeah.
The troll finally found the redhead by the Elysian mares! He tapped the man standing behind her on the shoulder! “You MacBeth?”
The troll curled up his fist and swung for Mac’s jaw!
CRASH! The troll broke through the corral’s fencing and looked like he was about to say something before he fell back!
Duncan: *He blinked as the Elysian male stood there, staring at the open corral.* … Now we panic.
Duncan: *He didn’t need to be told twice! He was already dashing after Mac, even faster when he heard the Elysian male break down more of the corral!*
Betty: *She couldn’t stop staring at him! He was a living masterpiece!* You are magnificient, Your Highness. No one stands a chance against your might.
People were in a panic as word got out that the Elysian horses were loose!
People were in a panic as word got out that the Elysian horses were loose!’
Cassius: *Meanwhile Cassius had found his thrown and was ordering around everyone in ordering distance!* Work FASTER! This will be an ultimate display of my winsome skills! I demand archery! Slaying! Fights! …..Someone find me a fool to ridicule and entertain my Queen! *Of course Betty’s compliments were only puffing him up more!* My dear, I will give you the entire world!
Ceri: *Speaking of Bronwen’s brothers, she was still blushing and hadn’t quite recovered from the kiss Dion had given her.* Dion, you are … that was …
Brennen: *He was munching on some ham! He turned to Aaron!* … What’s all the fuss about?
Aaron: *He gave a small shrug and kept puffing on his pipe!*
Dion: That was only the beginning… *He was whispering in her ear, but… now there was screaming and as he peeked around the tree, of course there was trouble.* But it might wait! *He was pulling Ceri off, away from the madness! There had to be somewhere quiet to hide!*
Duncan: *He found himself cornered by an Elysian mare and gulped! He closed his eyes as he huddled in the corner with his arms over his head.* Nice Elysian mare … Nice Elysian mare … *He was going to get eaten for sure! He was going to wind up buried as a pile of bones! He was–getting his hair nuzzled?! He opened one eye and then another! The Elysian mare was there, rubbing her nose in his hair!* Uh … Didn’t see this coming …
Betty: *The jester was dancing and talking away but Betty only had eyes for the handsome King who had people at his beck and call!* Hm. May we find a bard to sing your praises, Your Highness, so that all may know the glorious god to whom they are indebted to?
Cassius: *Cassius rubbed his chin!* Yes…! I do believe a bard is a fine idea! *Seeing as how his Troll hadn’t returned with a princess yet…* WHO In this realm is brave enough to go on a quest for the king?! I want that Knight MacBeth as my singing bard! He’ll sing my praises until the die he dies! Oh ho ho ho ho!
Ceri: *She blinked as he pulled her away again! She couldn’t begin to imagine what had happened this time!*
Duncan: *He verrrry carefully reached out to pet the Elysian mare on the nose, half-expecting her to bite his hand off! All she did was sniff his hand and then his hand was petting her nose!*
Betty: *She studied Cassius’ face!* MacBeth for a bard …? *Of course, she had no idea how well MacBeth could sing! It seemed a strange order from someone who wanted him crushed.*
Duncan: *He slowly stood, still not sure what to do about the Elysian mare. He didn’t want to take any chances.* Um … I sure hope you don’t decide to have me for lunch.
Ceri: *She looked around when Dion finally stopped.* Are we even on the fair grounds anymore …?
Cassius: YES. That will be his divine punishment before I break all of his limbs and throw him in to the fires of my might! *Cassius pointed his sword at a few of the roaming knights!* You there! Fetch me MacBeth!
The Elysian male turned and dashed back for Bronwen and Mac!
Dion: *He glanced around at the trees… Technically they were outside of the main festival town, but there was still some fencing in the near distance with the decorations… They must have added in the trees for the ‘forest’.* I think we are. …But the forest is always a safe haven for fleeing heroes. *He cast her a soft grin!*
The male stopped just as it was about to hit the tree! It had pretty quick reflexes! It shook its head, snorted and galloped after Mac!
Ceri: *She blinked and found herself blushing again!* Dion, you’re such a sweetheart.
Betty: *She gave a deep sigh!* Hm. I love it when you talk rough, Your Magnificence. The people will quickly learn that your might is the only one that matters.
Cassius: Aye, as they should! Those wretched siblings and that upstart MacBeth will rue they day they ever challenge The Black King! *Once again Cassius laughed loudly! Everything was going as planned!*
Dion: A sweetheart for the prettiest knight in the whole kingdom. *He was pulling Ceri in to his arms for a dance! There was no music, but who needed it? They had a forest to themselves!*
Duncan: Um … You uh, stay here. *He was telling the mare.* I’m gonna um … go find my captain. *And so he left the corner he’d been huddling in! But the mare kept following him! And if that wasn’t odd enough, the mares they passed followed him, too!*
Ceri: *She was still blushing! What a romantic! She followed his lead and started to hum in time with the dance!*
Betty: So what other plans do you have, Your Greatness? *She asked, curious.* You know I will help you in whatever way you desire.
Cassius: *Cassius rubbed his chin giving it great thought!* I intend to win this tournament, destroy MacBeth, humiliate my sister… and possibly get vengeance on my brothers! …and speaking of which, Dion is on the top of that list!
Duncan: *He looked up and waved!* Hey, Captain! *He looked around when she mentioned the mares!* Uh … Yeah. I’m kind of confused about that, too! *He patted his pockets.* I don’t have any treats … I wonder if it’s the hat. *He touched it where it still sat on his head!*
Betty: Ah yes, my sister’s boyfriend. *She rolled her eyes.* The romantic. No doubt making out with my sister as we speak.
The male stopped on the other side of the corral from MacBeth and looked like it was wondering what to do!
Duncan: *He looked around.* With all the mares wandering around, I’m surprised no one’s tried to round them up yet.
Duncan: Good idea. Um … I think I saw some boards we could use to patch it up in the tent on the far side of the corral. *He started heading back there and the mares continued to follow!*
Meanwhile, there was a group of knights heading out to capture MacBeth! Only when they found him, there was one of those Elysian horses loose! ….Maybe they’ll just wait a minute!
Duncan: *Still not quite believing there were a herd of Elysian mares following him, he scratches his head!* … I hope they didn’t eat anyone.
The male refused to let the human stay on for much longer! It thrashed and kicked! When that didn’t work, it galloped through the fair and was headed straight for Bronwen and Duncan!*
Duncan: *His eyes grew wide! He wasn’t about to find out first hand if it was his imagination or not! He pushed the captain out of the way but was still going to be run over!*
Duncan: *Ack!* Going …! *He threw open the fixed corral gate–amazing what some rope and a lot of cement adhesive will do–before getting run over when Mac came back a little while later!*
The Elysian male went galloping into the corral! MacBeth jumped off at the last minute, rolled, and landed in a crouch as Duncan shut the gate!
Those Knights that were waiting to grab MacBeth were now scratching their heads! ….A guy riding around on an Elysian Stallion wasn’t going to be easy to grab! They needed a new plan!
Duncan: *He walked back to them, scratching his head under the cap!* … Did I just … And did you just … And did we just …? *He seemed in shock as he pointed from Mac to Bronwen to himself and back again!*
Duncan: *Inhale … Exhale … Inhale … Much better!* I think Fa would have loved to see the Elysian mares! And the male, too! They really are beautiful!
Speaking of Cassius and trouble…. Those Knights appeared behind them and cleared their throats! “AHEM! Ho there, patrons of this fine fair! We would like to issue you a personal invitation to…. The King’s Castle!”
Duncan: *He blinked at them! Real Knights! He even poked at the man closest to him! Sheesh, that armor must weigh a ton!*
Duncan: *The idea of going to the King’s Castle made his face light up!* Yeah, let’s go. I’ve never been to the King’s Castle before! *Then again, he’s never been to one of these fairs either!*
“Yes! And you shouldn’t refuse the King of the Festival, or it’s off with your heads!” A Knight offered Bronwen his arm, while the others motioned for Duncan and MacBeth to follow!
Duncan: *March and march and glance around! They hadn’t gone very far when he scratched his head under the cap again!* … Have any of you seen a small furball about this big, cuddly looking, blue eyes? *He held his hands apart to give an approximate size for Tiny!*
And thus the Knights were very nice and charming, and led them off towards the festival castle! Out in front of the tower, they stopped. “Before you meet the king, there are prepreations! The Madam can visit the Lady’s Waiting room, while your Sirs can follow us!”
And nay, none have seen a little furball!
Duncan: *He huffed and sighed at their reply!* … I sure hope Tiny’s not eating anyone … *He muttered but he got distracted by the Knights leading them somewhere else!* I guess we’ll see you later, Captain.
Duncan: *He grinned sheepishly! He felt aLOT better about Tiny roaming around alone! He gave her a salute!* Will do, Captain!
Leading Bronwen away to the Tower, the Knights cleared their throats and motioned for Duncan n’ MacBeth to follow them in to the Castle! They finally came to a big empty throne room with two large thrones! And sitting there was…
Duncan: *He blinked a couple of times! And then a couple more!* … CASSIUS?! And … BETTY?!
Cassius: Well done, my Knights! …Welcome to MY castle, peasants. All you see before you is the domain of the Dark King Cassius! Now you will do my bidding!
Duncan: I’ve never been to one of these fairs before but … aren’t you supposed to be elected the King or something?
Cassius: *Cassius scowled for a moment, but he was right back to grinning like a fiend!* HA. I do indeed. That is why you have been brought here before me. YOU are the new court Bard. You are going to sing for the King or be put to death!
Cassius: *Cassiues eyed his Knights, and at visual confirmation… he grinned even wider!* You’ll never sing for Bronwen again! Ha ha ha! She’ll be locked away and never found. So you’ll be singing for my Queen, or my Knights are going to behead you and feed your insides to the vultures!
Duncan: *He glanced around and moved a little closer to Mac!* Uh … Mac …? *He whispered, eying the Knights! The odds didn’t look too good!*
Cassius: *A Snort!* I could crush you with my bare hands. …But then we wouldn’t have such an exciting show. …Knights… destroy him!
Destroying people wasn’t usually in the script, but this King seemed to know a lot about putting on a show. …All the Knights drew their swords and charged!
Betty: *Ahem!* Be sure to leave Duncan alone! I promised Ma Hessing to look after him!
Duncan: *He blinked!* Uh … Thanks … Betty …? *Just how many people did his Ma ask to look after him?!*
Cassius: *Siiiigh… Well, he had no problem with Duncan, anyway. Just his monster.* Spare the kid and just destroy MacBeth, as the Queen orders!
Cassius: *He should have known…. Damned MacBeth was always too good in a fight for a bunch of goons to handle themselves! Cassius stood up and bellowed!* Ready to start singing yet, kid? Or does King Cassius need to teach you another lesson?
Enough was enough! A bunch of Knights could only take so much of a beating! They were scurrying out of the way with many apologies to their King!
Duncan: *He was on the sidelines and really enjoying the show! A lot of the other people around seemed to be enjoying it as much as he was!*
Cassius: Forget it! If the fox wants to prance around like a damned princess, then she’s goin’ to sit up in the tower like a princess! *Damned useless Knights! He’ll have to take care of this himself!* Of course, if you enter my tournament and think you can win the prize… I ~might~ let her loose. …but… I think I’d rather have you destroyed and you never see your Princess Captain again! HO HO HO HO! *Cassius made sure to give his very best of evil laughs! This was HIS festival!*
Cassius: HA. Sounds like the words of a coward! Too chicken to compete against me, MacBeth?
Cassius: *He sure as hell wasn’t going to give her back… But he doubted MacBeth would be able to win his challenges. Ohohoho!* FINE. ~If~ you win the tourney, you can have her! And when ~I~ win… You’ll stay away from my damned sister, and you’ll proclaim to the world about your awesome King Cassius!
Cassius: *Cassius only smirked!* I have no worries, MacBeth. You won’t win my tournament. *Faking a huuuuge yawn, he waved a hand!* Get out of my sight! The tourney begins tonight. I am a considerate King. Enjoy your last few hours of freedom!
Duncan: *He was about to walk over to Mac when he looked down! There was Tiny! He picked it up!* There you are, Tiny … I need to ask you for a favor …
And that was how, not too long after, Tiny found itself perched on the sill of a tower window! “Greeowww!” it called into the darkness, looking for the human female with the comfty chair!
“Greeowww!” Tiny replied. Tucked into its collar was a folded up piece of paper. It simply read \”Cassius is the King. Need to win tournament. Where are you? -Mac\”
“Greeowww!” And off Tiny went! It just jumped off of the sill and seemed to fall straight down! Except it started to jump off the walls, slowing its fall! Was there anything that furball couldn’t do?!
It was almost dark when Tiny returned, perched on the tower sill again! This time the note read \”Need your help. Between the two of us we can win the tournament. Tiny will get you out. -Mac.\”
Cassius: *Meanwhile, Cassius was making sure his tourney was going to be impossible for that MacBeth!* MUAHA HA HA HA! Everything is complete! I will have his bones between my fingers!
“Greeowww!” Tiny went. It hopped off of the sill into the room and grew into its larger size! Then it lay down, perfect for Shadowstar to climb on top of its back!
Betty: *She clapped her hands!* Everything is set up, my King. Perhaps I shall kidnap that annoying brother of yours? What better revenge than to let him witness MacBeth’s demise at your hands!
Cassius: *Stroking his chin, this idea did sound splendid!* Hmyeeess. Dion has been damned uppity about taking MacBeth and Bronwen’s side… Worse now with his pretty little girlfriend. Maybe we should take his woman too!
Betty: *She smiled! She could hardly contain herself! She’d get Ceri back for “slaying” her all those years ago! No one slays the princess and gets away with it!* We can snatch her as soon as she realizes her boyfriend is gone. The way those two cling together …
Cassius: HA HA HA HA! Excellente! You have your task, my brilliant Queen! Strike Dion down and steal the Lady Ceri!
Tiny got up and walked over to the door! Then it turned and Bronwen could feel its muscles tense and ripple under its fur! It crouched down, really low … Then it suddenly took off. It landed on the window sill for a split second and then sprung off! There was falling, and then Tiny landed on something else, they fell again, Tiny recovered by landing on something else! It was quite a ride going down but in no time at all, they had stopped!
Betty: As you wish, my magnificent King. *She curstseyed and motioned for two of the Knights to follow her! She refused to soil herself by having to hoise those lovebirds back!*
Duncan: You made it! *He grinned and hugged Tiny!* Good … g–I mean, Tiny. *He still wasn’t sure if Tiny was a girl or a boy or what Tiny was exactly!*