The Tale of Lady Pride

Outside of a small encampment, a lady-in-waiting stands. She tells Viscount Conn that her Mistress has been bewitched for her pride. She will not leave her dressing pavilion, and can neither see nor hear any person of her station or above. When asked, the lady-in-waiting will allow the Knight and squire to enter. As they pull back the tent flap, I remind them both that "A gentleman may not lay hands upon a lady without her permission." They both agree to my wisdom, and enter.

As with a fly's view upon a wall I will relate to you of what occurred within. Lady Pride looked down her nose at the gentle Aubery, in shock that he would enter dressing room unescorted. She did not see Duke Sir Conn at all! The good squire spoke to her, asking her what was wrong, but the Lady would not listen, and berated him for his stupidity and lack of rank. While Aubery was deflecting her words and remaining the very epitome of chivalry, Duke Conn examined the hand mirror she held and constantly looked at. Around its edge he could read the words, "Pride shall be the doom of thee, and worse shall come from vanity. Here shall ye dwell, and ne'er go free, unless thy spell can shattered be."

His Grace spoke to the Lady, but she did not listen. Therefore, he instructed his squire to get the mirror away from the Lady. Aubery then asked the Lady if he may assist her, and hold the mirror for her so she may better brush her wondrous tresses. The Lady thought this would be an excellent idea, and felt the poor lad would finally be of use. When Aubery got the mirror, he handed it to his Knight, who promptly smashed the mirror into a thousand and one pieces.

The Lady was freed from her spell, and could see the Knight, and she was very distressed at how she treated his squire, who was nothing but kind to her. She therefore gave them a talisman, which Duke Conn and Aubery immediately recognized as the missing piece of the gypsy puzzle. They bid both the Lady and her lady-in-waiting a good day, and hurried back to where the merchants sell their wares, in search of the distressed gypsy.

And the Quest continued…

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Last Updated: 26 May 1998