Revenge of the Picklebacked Peas
Waking up you feel refreshed. You head is clear for the first time in days and you have boundless energy. Looking around the room you see Jonathan snoozing in a chair next to your bed.
On your right the woman is folding up blankets that were on a cot placed in the corner of the room. She looks over at you and sees you're awake.
"Oh good. Here have some breakfast. You will need your strength," she says as she hands you a plate piled high with fruit and bread.
"Excuse me," you say, "I really don't mean to sound rude but I would like to know at least where I am."
"You are in Blackthorn Castle. We are more precisely in an underground cellar room, in order to escape notice of the King, and this cellar is located near the dungeons," she says. "Now I haven't much time to explain but listen carefully. I am sending you and Jon on a mission. Failure means complete takeover of the land by the King. He is evil. He wishes to rid the world of freedom and make all beings his slaves. Even his own son does not stand a chance." At this, the old woman pauses and glances over at Jonathan, her face sad and her mouth tight, she goes over and softly taps him on the shoulder.
"Time to wake up. The King will be on his way soon and time is short," she says.
Jonathan stands up slowly and stretches. Looking down at you he blushes and quickly glances away. The old woman hands him a plate of food and puts your leftovers in a sack. You rise and she hands you a set of clothes. The woman points to a door and says, "Quickly child, change in there."
You take the clothes silently, to deep in thought to notice that they are in your favourite colours.
Dressing you can hear the woman whispering instructions to Jonathan and you begin to wonder just what is really going on. Wishing the woman had explained things to you, you quickly dress and step out into the cellar room.
"You look beautiful," Jonathan whispers.
"It is time," the woman says "Jon will explain to you what's happening as you go. I'm sorry but I don't have the time. It's been a pleasure seeing you again dear. Be careful you two. Far greater dangers lurk outside these walls than can ever be told."
She hands you each a heavy pack, and hands Jonathan a long broadsword, fastens a leather band around his wrist, studded with knives of various lengths and sharpness, and a places in his hand a small box full of pea sized blue gems. The woman turns to you and says, "Weapons?"
On your right the woman is folding up blankets that were on a cot placed in the corner of the room. She looks over at you and sees you're awake.
"Oh good. Here have some breakfast. You will need your strength," she says as she hands you a plate piled high with fruit and bread.
"Excuse me," you say, "I really don't mean to sound rude but I would like to know at least where I am."
"You are in Blackthorn Castle. We are more precisely in an underground cellar room, in order to escape notice of the King, and this cellar is located near the dungeons," she says. "Now I haven't much time to explain but listen carefully. I am sending you and Jon on a mission. Failure means complete takeover of the land by the King. He is evil. He wishes to rid the world of freedom and make all beings his slaves. Even his own son does not stand a chance." At this, the old woman pauses and glances over at Jonathan, her face sad and her mouth tight, she goes over and softly taps him on the shoulder.
"Time to wake up. The King will be on his way soon and time is short," she says.
Jonathan stands up slowly and stretches. Looking down at you he blushes and quickly glances away. The old woman hands him a plate of food and puts your leftovers in a sack. You rise and she hands you a set of clothes. The woman points to a door and says, "Quickly child, change in there."
You take the clothes silently, to deep in thought to notice that they are in your favourite colours.
Dressing you can hear the woman whispering instructions to Jonathan and you begin to wonder just what is really going on. Wishing the woman had explained things to you, you quickly dress and step out into the cellar room.
"You look beautiful," Jonathan whispers.
"It is time," the woman says "Jon will explain to you what's happening as you go. I'm sorry but I don't have the time. It's been a pleasure seeing you again dear. Be careful you two. Far greater dangers lurk outside these walls than can ever be told."
She hands you each a heavy pack, and hands Jonathan a long broadsword, fastens a leather band around his wrist, studded with knives of various lengths and sharpness, and a places in his hand a small box full of pea sized blue gems. The woman turns to you and says, "Weapons?"