The Tale of the Ogre and the Egg

With great haste Duke Conn and his entourage make the long trek to the place where they believed the stolen dragon's egg would be found. However, they had barely begun this last leg of their journey when Duke Conn's helm suffered a mishap - the chin snap fell apart even as he moved! Haste was of the utmost importance, and though they were all weary with the trials of the day, they journey onwards.

Yet while they traveled, Viscountess Kassandra shown forth as a beacon of aid, and displaying skills any armorer would envy, she repaired her husband's helm, making it better and stronger than it was when it was first forged. And these repairs were done while they were moving with great haste and speed, and she performed her labors with not one complaint. Truly, in the eyes of this monk, Kassandra is a great and noble lady.

They traveled to a remote part of the Pennsic lands, where the sun barely shown and the path was little more than a trail. Just before they despaired at being lost, then happened upon a large pavilion, from which the most terrifying and base sounds were heard. To either side of the pavilion hung shields bordered with inscriptions. At this point, recalling the withered old sage's words, my musings reached my lips and I asked, "Which is the true shield of the Ogre?"

However, before Duke Conn and his Squire could relate and answer, we understood what the horrible sounds were, for from the pavilion emerged a most terrifying creature, one of which Aristotle may have written of, but which I had not had the misfortune of hearing or seeing … until now. The Ogre was half again as tall as a man, with the girth of three, and two ugly and arguing heads on top of shoulders broader than a horse is wide. Its two arms each held a thick sword, and it lumbered forward as if every step was an agony. It looked hungry.

To the surprise of all, it could speak. One head would start a sentence, while the other would finish it. "Give me the golden moon and you may ask one of us one question before we slay you." How nice of them … it … I thought. Duke Conn received the golden moon earlier from the gypsy, so he handed it to me stating, "Give this to the Ogre, oh brave monk." I hastily told him that I could not interfere in such a manner, no matter how brave I was, and thankfully he sent him rather more brave squire to deliver the moon. While Aubery was delivering the talisman, I recalled some knowledge I had heard about his Ogre. "Your Grace," said I, "I seem to recall that one head always lies, yet the other speaks only the truth, but I do not know which one. Choose your question carefully. I also recall that the Ogre carries a set of keys, which might be useful."

After some thought, Duke Conn asked of the left head, "Do you have the dragon's egg." And the head answered "No." Unfortunately, that did not help to further out quest. So, the brave Knight and squire prepared for battle.

The battle was terrible and fierce. The Ogre fought with the strength of ten men, and were able to hold beat back both Conn and Aubery. The ground shook, clouds appeared, and the fight went on for hours, but try as they might, the good Knight and squire could not defeat the fearsome Ogre. Eventually, they retreated and regrouped.

Sir Conn decided to try one last time - they must retrieve the Dragon's Egg, or die trying! So he and his squire circled the dreaded Ogre. Then, from out of nowhere, the good squire Aubery, in an amazing display of speed and skill, waded in with his Knight past the Ogre's guard, and with one might blow killed one of the Ogre's head, and without slowing down he brought his sword back around and slayed the other head, killing the beast completely! "I do not like to loose" stated the modest squire.

But the quest was not completed. Searching the dead and foul creature, they discovered a set of 12 numbered keys. Inside the pavilion was an ornate box, with three locks. Obviously, they keys would fit into the locks, but which three keys. I informed them they would only have one chance to try the keys - if the wrong keys were used, the box would remain locked away forever. Thus, they turned their attentions to the shields.

The red shield with a bend sinister stated: Commandments, Virtues, and Gospels.

The blue shield with a bend stated: Apostles, Worthies, and Graces.

Now, mused The Duke and his household, there are 12 Apostles, 9 worthies, and 3 Graces. There are also 10 commandments, 4 gospels, but the number of knightly virtues is still under dispute. Therefore, they choose the keys numbered 12, 9, and 3.

All was quiet around the pavilion as the keys were inserted into the locks on the box. Everyone held their breath as the keys were turned, and low and behold, the locks clicked open, the boxed opened, and inside was stolen Dragon's Egg!

Victorious, Duke Sir Conn, his noble squire Aubery, the inspiring Viscountess Kassandra, the honorable Lady Seraphina, and the good lords Nickodeme and Erec, returned the egg to the care of Duke Sir Dag at the evening's revelry. And there was much rejoicing as the quest was complete.

Thus ends the tale of Duke Conn and the Quest for the Dragon's Egg.

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Last Updated: 26 May 1998