The Summer Vacation
Chapter 17
Written by rachel76m
Edited by Don Kaufman

“Uh, excuse me. I didn't see you.” One of the knights tries to apologize to me.

I think that was done on purpose. His tone of voice has 'ice' in his speech.

All three men are staring me down as they stand around me.

Sir Halgren sees it coming. He walks around to get behind them, when the three get near me. Some other knights and dwarf warriors come around as well.

“We finally get to meet the famous Outside Helper, Richard. The Maker must have picked the runt of the litter from his world, Sir Callahan.”

“I'm sorry, but if you'll excuse me. I....”

The tallest one speaks next, “That’s right, Sir Orslond. Isn't he the one who took down those four knights last year, Sir Thalstead? It caused all of us to be retrained.”

“Yeah, Sir Callahan, because of him our joints hurt for weeks after.”

“Look sirs. If you want, I can arrange a demonstration match.”

“No, you won't, Richard. It's going to be on our terms this time.”

The Sir Valmar pushes his way through the crowd with some sergeants and captains.

He shouts out loud, “Thryson attention!”

Everyone snaps to attention.

“Come on, break it up. Get where you need to be . . . now!”

“Yes Sir!” Everyone responds at once.

Everyone breaks apart. The three knights, who bumped into me, stare and scowl at me while they walk back to their tents before they turn around.

Sir Valmar comes near to us who have gathered together, that includes some of the dwarf warriors, captains and sergeants.

“I hope you have something to teach those three men a lesson, Richard.”

“I do, Sir Valmar. I showed some of it to the sergeants last night before we went to bed.”

Sir Valmar looks at the sergeants and Sir Halgren to confirm. “Well?”

Sir Langley looks around before he speaks up, he sees no one around. “Richard is very deceptive with his strength. We did a quick and silent arm wrestling match last night. He had me on the ropes.”

“He also helped me up the stair case crates with ease,” adds Sir Halgren.

“I see. All right, keep it under wraps for now. Let's get to the noon repast. I”ll discuss this with Sir Trenton.”

We all respond, “Yes, Sir Valmar.”

We walk together to the dining hall. I stand at the same bench as I did this morning. We see the commanders and Wizard Gryphon up there as well.

Then we hear in the back part of the dining hall, “All in!”

“Wizard Gryphon, if you please.”

“Yes, Sir Trenton. Maker, we thank you for another morning. We are preparing hard to help defend your creation. We thank you for this food, because it will give us the strength to do so. Thank you, Maker.”

Everyone responds in the dining hall. “Thank you, Maker.”

We all sit down to see what is available to us. We see bowls of hot vegetables and cooked bird that are spiced. There is a salad plate in front of us filled with greens and a different set of cold vegetables. It too is lightly spiced.

We immediately fill our mugs with fruit juice before we start eating. We try to talk while we eat.

“Have Sir Callahan and his friends given you problems before?”

“Not until last year, Richard. They felt insulted that they had to be retrained.”

“I didn't feel that way. I looked forward to it. Some of us were getting soft using magic to defend and attack an opponent.”

“This arrival of the star ship is just what we need to get their attention again.”

“They're good knights, but it’s stunts like they did that will keep them from advancing in rank.”

“Well, maybe this time they will learn, Richard.”

“I hope so my friends. If all goes well after this star ship problem. Maybe I'll do some morning exercises with them to show them I mean well.”

“Yes, that's a good idea, Richard. You can show some of your routine as well.”

“I have no problem with that.”

We give a few laughs on that thought.

We finish our salad. We take our forks and go after the main dish of fowl and vegetables. After we serve ourselves from those bowls, I see those bowls are now empty.

By the time we get done eating the main dish, we have finished drinking our second cup of fruit juice. We grab for the fruits in the last bowl. We each take two kinds of fruits.

We cut into the fruits and have the same problem we had this morning. They are very delicious and sweet. Once we are done, we sort out the seed and rinds for the kitchen staff. We stack the dishes for them as well. The utensils are separated into separate bowls. We know this will help them out.

We clean ourselves up and pour our third cup of fruit juice. We bring them together like this morning.

“To victory.”

“To victory,” we respond.

“So are you ready to be a hostage, Richard?”

“I think so. It shouldn't be too hard. I do have an idea to make it more realistic.”

“Well, don't tell us. Tell it to Sir Trenton.”

“Yes sirs. I'll do that.”

When we finished drinking from out last mugs of juice, we put them down and stand up. Sir Halgren looks to the commanders and sees a hand signal.

“Richard, Sir Trenton, needs to see us.”

“All right, Sir Halgren. See you later on the training fields, sergeants.”

“See you both later.”

The sergeants turn to leave the dining hall. Sir Halgren and I walk up front to the commanders. They step down to greet us.

“I hear Sir Callahan and his friends bumped into you, Richard.”

“Yes Sir, they did. They almost demanded the terms for the demonstration match.”

“I see. I remember their attitudes after our retraining sessions when you left. Those three were not happy about it.”

“I heard from some of the corporals he wants revenge to prove that he is the strongest knight in Thryson.”

“Hmm . . . what are your tests that demonstrate that?”

“Arm wrestling is one. The other are leg presses.”

I look to Sir Halgren and smile, he smiles back.

“Good, I'll agree to that. For the arm wrestling match, make it a time duration match.”

“I saw it last night sirs, before we went to bed. He held his own against Sir Langley, before Sir Langley gave up. Richard froze and sustained it. It's incredible.”

The commanders smile at each other. “All right we accept the conditions, Richard.”

“I'm sure there will be the usual side betting going on?”

“Of course, we'll see if they have the money to back up their boasts.”

We leave the dining hall together.

“Sir Trenton, I have an idea to help with the rescue scenarios this afternoon.”

“What is it, Richard?”

“Instead of a pebble behind the scarf. Make it a pellet that will explode in a puff of smoke.”

“Yes, that will expedite the rescue. If it explodes before it is removed, you can be declared 'dead'”.

“I like it, Richard. See to it Sir Valmar. Get it set for the first rescue mission.”

“Yes, Sir Trenton. Come with me, Richard and Sir Halgren.”

We both follow Sir Valmar to another part of the field. We see several tents with flaps open. There are some tents for the healers. We walk inside in one of them. We see shelves set up with various herbs and ointments. The healers see us walk inside.

“Sir Valmar! Welcome Sir Halgren and Richard.”

“Is anyone hurt?”

“No, we are not hurt, Salia. I need some help for some rescue scenarios this
afternoon.”

“What do you need?”

“I need a small pellet that will explode in a small puff of smoke, Felton.”

“Why?”

“When I see Twainor's forces arrive for the rescue, I will have an immediate reaction like the crewmen had from the scout craft.”

“I see, Richard. I think we can come up with a solution. Salia, what do you think?”

“Yes, it shouldn't be too hard to make. Hold a moment while we get it ready.”

The three healers gather together around and start talking to themselves.

“We should use the dry white powder, we have plenty of that, Tamia. We know where the source is in Thryson.”

“Yes, we can put a spell on the pellet that will trigger to Richard's screams.”

“It should have a time delay of three counts before it explodes, Felton.”

“That sounds good. Do we agree to that?”

“Yes,” The other two ladies respond to the question.

They get the items together. Felton takes a large container from the shelf. He opens it and spoons some of it onto a very smooth board. Tamia takes a mold form from another shelf. She places it on the smooth board.

Then Salia spoons some white powder into the form. Felton folds the form over and presses it firmly. He opens it and sees the pellet packed hard. He touches it lightly. A little bit of the powder flakes off.

“It's going to need a sealing spell to hold it together, Felton.”

“Yes, but when we set the spell on it, the sealing spell will be removed and then it can explode after he screams.”

“Yes, that can work.”

Tamia sets the sealing spell on the pellet. She picks it up. “Please come over here, Richard.”

“Yes, Tamia.” I walk up to her.

“I want you to scream at the pellet that Tamia is holding. Then I will recite the appropriate spell for it.”

“All right, Felton.”

Tamia puts the pellet in front of my mouth. Felton puts his hands toward it. “Now, Richard.”

“Arrggh!”

Felton quickly recites the spells while I scream at it. He ends the spell. Then I stop screaming.

“It should work, Sir Valmar. It has a count delay of three, before it explodes.”

“Very good, Salia. Can you make about twenty of them?”

“Sure, that is no problem. If they are to be used on different people to be hostages, the spell has to be reset to that person's scream.”

“How about a certain phrase besides a scream?”

“That can work better, Richard.”

“All right, reset it for a phrase. Richard, use this phrase, 'I see Twainor's forces, I remember them.”

“All right, are you ready healers?”

“Yes, Felton.”

Felton takes the pellet from Tamia and holds the pellet in front of me.

“Now, Richard.”

Salia recites the spells to reset the pellet while I shout out loud.

“I see Twainor's forces! I remember them!”

Salia stops the spell. “That's good Richard. It is now set for anyone who says that phrase without the screams.”

“Good. Can you make twenty of those pellets? That should be enough.”

“Yes, we can.”

The three healers begin to make an assembly line to make the pellets. Once the sealing spell is set on the finished pellet, it's easy to copy the spell on the first pellet onto the others.

Once they are finished, they clean up the left over white powder and put it back into the container. Felton puts it back where it belongs.

Then the healers gathered the pellets up and put them in a bag with a drawstring. Salia hands it to Sir Valmar.

“Thank you, Salia.”

“You're welcome, Sir Valmar.”

We exit the healer's tent and walk to a group of captains and sergeants. We gather around.

“Are the squads and wings ready?”

“Yes, they're in a secure room, Sir Valmar.”

Sir Valmar takes out a pellet from the bag and shows it to them. “This pellet will
explode as soon as Richard screams and yells. 'I see Twainor's forces, I remember them.' It will explode on a count of three after that.”

“I like it. This will be a good test on speed from the squads.”

“I have one bit of advice about the timing of this sir.”

“What is it, Richard?”

“We know the star ship has an entire crew with these implant devices. Right?”

“That's right, Richard.”

“What would happen if they all start exploding on the star ship?”

“I see, it might cause some serious damage inside. The wizards will have to send the implants outside the star ship to be safe.”

“That's right. So, let's see if they catch onto the problem.”

“If they don't, we'll remind them and redo the scenario.”

“Do we all agree, men?”

“Yes, Sir Valmar.”

“All right to your posts, men.”

“Yes, Sir!”

They all turn and go to their posts scattered about the floor layout to be observers and leaders of several wings. Two of the captains return to the room where the squads and wings are kept.

Sir Halgren and I follow Sir Valmar.

“That's a good question Richard. We'll need to make sure that gets relayed to Sir Braxton and Sir Krellen.”

“You’re welcome, Sir Valmar.”

We continue to follow Sir Valmar. We see only knights who are playing the role of the ship's crew. We walk down the hallway and turn at an intersection. We walk down the hallway. Sir Valmar turns and opens a door. We enter in the room. We see ten men in here.

“This is a new scenario, men. Richard is going to be an Outside Helper to be rescued. You will protect him the best you can. But there is going to be a surprise reaction.”

“Once he sees the forces appear, he will scream a phrase. He will have a pellet tied in place with a scarf behind his neck.”

“So if the pellet explodes before it is removed, he will be declared 'dead'?”

“That's right. But if he is put to sleep before he screams, he is safe.”

“We understand.”

“Sir Halgren is here as an observer. Good luck, men.”

“Thank you, Sir Valmar.”

Sir Valmar turns around and leaves the room.

“Richard, go and hide in the cabinet there now. When you hear the bell sound out, come out and join us.”

“Okay.” I walk into the wooden cabinet and close the door. I stand in the cabinet and I hear voices outside.

~~~000~~~

“Why is he here, Sir Halgren?”

“You know why is he here. He's our Outside Helper. If it wasn't for him, we would have no idea how to defend ourselves again this threat.”

“How do we know that star ship is there? It could be a lie!”

“Then you need to look at the Seeing Stones if you didn't last night.”

“I'll do that!”

“Good! Now be ready for anything!”

~~~000~~~

Then we hear the bell sound out. “Bong!”

I step out of the cabinet and walk around the room. I see faces on the men who are trying to stay focused on the task at hand. Some still look upset as they look at me.

Then the door opens. We see a squad there trying to get inside. The ship's crew puts up a good fight.

Then one of the squad members gets inside. I see him come toward me.

I yell. “Arrrghhh! Oww! My head hurts! I see Twainor's forces! I remember them!” I relax and fall to the ground.

“Quickly men! We must get to him!”

A wizard comes forward and quickly puts his hands above me. He recites the spell to remove the capsule.

As soon as the capsule is removed, it explodes in the air just above me. The wizard and I are covered in white powder.

Then we hear the bell sound out. “Bong!”

Everybody gets quiet and stands up. Then we hear out loud from Sir Trenton.

“That's not fast enough, men. I have witnessed the explosion of these devices. The wizard and Richard are both dead. As soon as Richard saw Twainor's forces he reacted to heavy stress which caused the device to explode.”

“Twainor's forces have to react faster on the star ship to get these devices removed off the star ship or it is a tragedy for all. You have to get the crew asleep first before they react.”

“So let's reset the scenario and try it again.”

We all get up. Those who are asleep are helped up by wakening by their fellow knights and wizards. Darts are removed and reloaded. Then squads and wings leave the floor layout quickly and return to the secured room.

Sir Halgren takes me out of the room and we walk down the hallways until we see Sir Valmar coming toward us.

“That's a very good reaction, Richard. I'm sorry you died.” He smiles at me.

I smile at him too, “I'm sorry too, Sir.”

“Let's see if they're faster next time.”

Sir Valmar hands me another pellet. I place it behind my neck and secure it with the scarf there.

We follow Sir Valmar to another part of the ship. We walk into a room and we see Sir Callahan there with a bunch of knights. But we don't see his two friends there.

Sir Callahan sees us and gets really mad. He walks up Sir Valmar. “Permission to speak freely, sir.”

Sir Valmar looks at me.

I nod my head up and down.

Sir Valmar looks back at Sir Callahan. “You may speak.”

“Sir, why are we doing these exercises? They have no value at all! How do we know this star ship is for real?”

Sir Halgren steps forward, “Sir Valmar, I just argued the same thing before the first scenario.”

Sir Valmar looks at Sir Halgren and sees and hears he still has a dilemma. “I have seen the star ship in the Seeing Stones, Sir Callahan. Some of the knights saw it too last night. However, not all saw it. Believe me. It’s on the way. Richard, witnessed the destructive path of this star ship. We have read the historical records on the scout ship. What more proof do you need? Do you want to see it for yourself?”

“Yes, I want to see it, Sir Valmar.”

“You will or anybody else before you go to bed tonight. Will that satisfy you?”

“Yes, Sir Valmar.”

“Good. Now let's proceed with the scenario again.” Sir Valmar looks around the room at everyone.

“Yes, Sir!” Everyone snaps to attention.

“Very good men. Now let's do it again. We have to do this if something goes wrong on the star ship. We need back up plans and choices to overcome this potential tragedy.”

Sir Valmar walks out of the room. Sir Halgren leads me to a small crate and opens it. I step into it and crouch down. He puts the lid back on and stands guard.

The men try to calm down.

Then we hear the bell sound out. “Bong!”

Sir Halgren opens the lid and I step out again.

Sir Callahan walks up to me with a scowl on his face. “This is not over, Richard.”

“I'm ready anytime. Perhaps before the evening repast or after.”

Sir Callahan continues to stare down at me. “That's fine by me.”

Then we hear a commotion out in the hallway. The door opens up and we see Twainor's forces trying to come in.

They immediately start using the sleep darts and sleep spells as they make their way in.

“Arrrghhh! I see Twainor's . . . ”

Then two sleep darts are shot at me. One hits my neck, the other one misses me and hits a wall. I crumple to the ground and fall asleep.

A wizard comes forward and kneels down. He recites the spell to remove the pellet. The pellet appears and is set on a crate nearby. Then it explodes in a puff of smoke.

Then we hear the bell sound out again. “Bong!”

They all stop what they are doing. They look up at the platform.

“That's much better. However, the implant is still on the star ship. If you have one thousand of these to explode inside the star ship, people will die if the ship's hull is breached. The implants need to be sent outside the star ship before they explode.”

The wizard bows his head and realizes it. He nods his head up and down.

“All right, let's reset and do it again.”

The wizard puts his hand above me and recites the spell to wake me up. Sir Halgren helps me to stand up.

“Ow . . . that dart hurt my neck.”

“Sorry about the dart hit, Richard.”

“That's all right. Maybe I should remove the arm and leg armor for alternative hit sites, Sir Halgren.”

“That's a good idea Richard.” We turn around and help the other knights up.

When we help Sir Callahan up. I speak to him. “If it makes you feel any better, I just got darted in the neck.”

“Huh?” He looks at me.

“Yeah, it's a real pain in the neck.” I smile at him while I look up at him.

He smiles at me, “Good answer, Richard.” Then he scowls at me again, “But we'll still have our match later.”

Then Sir Valmar walks into the room. “Is everything all right here?”

Sir Callahan and I look at each other and answer at the same time, “Yes, Sir Valmar.”

“Good. Now let's reset and do it again.”

“Yes, Sir.” We both respond at the same time.

We break apart and go our ways. I follow Sir Halgren and Sir Valmar. Sir Valmar takes another pellet out of the bag and hands me one.

We walk out of the room and down the hallways to another part of the floor layout. We see squads and wings leaving the layout and walking toward to the secure room so they don't know what is being planned.

~~~000~~~

“We're getting better, Sir Landst.”

“Yes we are Warrior Kelgar. We need to get the crew asleep as fast as possible before any recognition takes place.”

“I'm glad we're finding this out now. We need to be quick in securing the area. Stop them before they make a run from us and hide.”

“I'll agree with you on that.”

~~~000~~~

“Sir Valmar, have the squads found anyone who tried to hide in the hidden corridors or rooms?”

“That's a good question. We'll need to emphasize that as well. Thank you for the reminder, Richard.”

“You're welcome.”

We continue walking through the hallways. We then enter a room. We see a group of knights there acting as crew members.

“Sir Valmar, I got hit in the neck last time. Perhaps it might be best if I take off the armor for the legs and arms.”

“Yes go ahead and help him Sir Halgren. I'm sure it was a pain in the neck.” He smiles at me.

“Yes, it was.” I smile back at him.

Sir Halgren helps me remove the armor for the arms and leggings. While we do that Sir Valmar addresses the men in the room.

“All right, this is going to be a new challenge. As soon as the squads show up in the hallways, I want some of you to put Richard into the hidden room here. Have at least three of you go with them. We want to see how long it will take for them to find Richard.”

“Yes, Sir Valmar.”

Sir Halgren holds onto my armor pieces.

Sir Valmar leaves the room and gets into position near the platform. He looks up at Sir Trenton and nods his head up and down. Sir Trenton gives the signal for the next scenario. He moves his arm up and down.

Sir Valmar takes the mallet and hits the bell. “Bong!”

When the wings show up in the hallways, we hear the fight going on out there. Then three crewmen lead me and Sir Halgren to a partition that is hidden in a wall. They open it, then the five of us enter into the room. They close the partition. Soon we hear the door open to our room. The crewmen put up a good fight, but they eventually fall asleep from the darts or sleep spells.

The squads and wings report in as they secure their area and to hear news from their wing leader.

“Have you found him yet?”

“No, we haven't Sir. He is not in my sector.”

“He's not in mine, Captain.”

“Where could he be? He can't vanish into the Ethereal Space.”

“Weren't we told there might be hidden corridors and rooms on the star ship?”

“Yes, that must be it, Wizard. Start searching for them via the Ethereal Space.”

“Yes, I will use the transport spell and find out.”

“We'll keep looking for hidden doorways. Come back here when you're done and report to us. Then we can decide what to do next.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The squads begin to look around for places to hide. The wizards recite the transport spell. They all disappear to start looking for Richard. Eventually a wizard finds the hidden room with Richard, Sir Halgren and three knights.

He reports back to his wing and reappears.

“I found them. There is a hidden room in the next room to the left of us.”

“How much room is there for us?”

“There is only enough room for two dwarf warriors, a knight and a wizard.”

“Good. We'll be in the room to help them out. Go ahead and enter the room and put them to sleep.”

“All right, come on friends, connect with me.”

Two dwarf warriors and a knight load their wrist bows with sleep darts. They put their hands to shoulder and connect with the wizard.

He recites the transport spell and they disappear in a blink of an eye. The rest of the wing runs to the next room to get ready.

The wizard appears in the hidden room. Immediately there is a fight with the three knights.

I immediately begin to shout out loud. “What's this?” Before I can shout another word, I see the wizard raise his hands.

The wizard points his hand palms toward us. He recites the spell to put everyone to sleep. Everyone collapses to the ground, but the wizard.

The wizard then starts to revive his squad. They slowly wake up.

“I'm sorry about that, Sir Wilton. I had to act fast.”

“Don't worry about it. You did what you had to do.”

“Yes, let me get that device removed first.”

The wizard carefully walks toward my body lying on the ground. He bends down and puts his hands above my neck. He looks at my neck and places his hands above the neck. He concentrates and sees the device in his mind. He then moves it to the Ethereal Space. Then he sends it to the perimeter of the ship layout. It explodes in a puff of smoke.

Then everyone hears the bell sound out again. “Bong!”

Everyone stops what they are doing. They look up at the platform and get quiet.

“Well done, Thryson Legion. Well done. You found Richard where he was hiding. You also removed the device in time before it exploded. Wake up your fellow knights. You may go ahead for your afternoon water break.”

“At the sound of the three bells, be here at the platform for further instructions.”

They all shout, “Yes sir!”

The wizards and knights wake up the rest of the legion. Sir Halgren and I help each other up. We then walk out of the hidden room and we see a wing waiting for us.

“How are you, Richard?”

We start walking out together. We talk among ourselves as we do.

“I'm fine, sirs. That's an excellent decision to put everyone to sleep at once.”

“Thank you, Richard. I had to react fast before that pellet exploded. I hear you came up with that idea.”

“Yes, I wanted to add a bit more realism.”

“It certainly did, Richard.”

“What time is it, Sir Halgren? I've seemed to lost track of time in being to put sleep.” I yawn out loud, ”yawn . . . ”

He smiles at me. “It's the Third Mark after the noon repast. This break will be a quarter-mark.”

“I've been thinking. This challenge with Sir Callahan should be before the evening repast.”

“Hmm . . . I think it might be best too. It will give you time to recover for tomorrow.”

“You're having a challenge with Sir Callahan?”

“He actually challenged me first, Kelgar. You'll find out a little bit later.”

“That ought to be interesting.” He smiles to himself. I have another chance to sting back a certain knight I know . . . heh, heh, heh . . .

We get in line with the others. Soon we are up at the tables. We drink our mugs of water and put the mugs back on the table.

I look at one of the servers, “Thank you. Excellent cold water.”

“You're welcome, Richard.”

I turn around and walk with Sir Halgren. We walk toward to the platform. We see Sir Callahan talking with his friends. You can see them plotting something. Sir Halgren keeps me away from them. You can see them smiling and laughing now and then.

Soon we hear the three bells sound out. “Bong!” “Bong!” “Bong!”

We all run to our positions and by brigade in front of the platform. Once we settle in and are in neat rows and columns. We hear Sir Valmar.

“Thryson Legion, attention!”

Everyone snaps to attention. Sir Trenton looks around at us, then he looks at Sir Valmar and nods his head.

“Thryson Legion, at ease!”

We all go into relaxing stance and look up at the platform.

“This next scenario will be the last one for the day. It will be your biggest test. We're going to have several knights and ladies to act as Outside Helpers along with Richard. Take what you have learned so far and apply it. We are looking for the fastest and safest time to take control of this level.”

“If an area is still not under control after a quarter-mark, contact the captain of your sector for additional help. He will direct a wing to your area.”

“We'll start at the next quarter-mark. So get to your stations, Legion.” Sir Trenton looks at Sir Valmar and nods his head up and down.

“Thryson Legion, attention!”

Everyone snaps to attention. Sir Trenton looks around at us, then he looks at Sir Valmar and nods his head.

“Thryson Legion, dismissed!”

Sir Halgren and stay near the platform as the commanders approach us after coming down from the platform.

“Here you go, Richard.” Sir Valmar hands me a smoke pellet.

“Thank you, Sir Valmar. This is going to be a good test for multiple rescues. Did you build some weapon rooms and healing center here as well?”

“Yes we did, Richard, and a few more important rooms. Don't worry. The squads and wings have been really busy.” Sir Trenton smiles at me.

I smile back. “So, which room do I go to now?”

Sir Trenton hands a note to Sir Halgren.

He opens it and reads the note. “Let's go, Richard, I need to get you into position.” Sir Halgren hands the arm and leg armor to Sir Valmar. He places it near the platform for safe keeping. The platform has several knights posted to keep the platform secured. Sir Valmar looks at one of the knights.

“This is Richard's armor, keep it safe.”

“Yes, Sir Valmar.”

I follow Sir Halgren to the floor layout. He leads me to a different room. When he opens the door, I see a layout that looks like a bridge layout from a sea ship. However, it has wooden furniture that is copied from the scout ship.

“This took some imagination. I like it.”

One of the crewmen talks to me. “Yes, we took some clues from the historical records and the interviews you had with Brin and the others Richard.”

“That's good.”

“All right, let's get into position men. Sir Halgren, please stand against the wall over there.” He points to it.

“Yes Sir. That is a good location to be out of the way.” Sir Halgren walks over to the wall and turns around. He faces the center of the room.

“There is only one door in men. We are pretending to be in control of a ship like our sea ships. Your monitors actually display views in other locations on this floor layout. You'll report to me the situations you see.”

“Yes Sir.” We all respond at once.

“Sir Halgren, give the signal we're ready.”

“Yes Sir, Captain Prestor.” Sir Halgren uses his contact crystal to contact Sir Valmar. He puts his right hand above it and recites the spell. An image of Sir Valmar appears above it.

“All set on the bridge, sir.”

“Thank you, Sir Halgren.”

The image disappears above the crystal. Sir Halgren puts his contact crystal into his pocket.

Soon we hear the bell sound out again. “Bong!”

“Sir, enemy forces are appearing everywhere.”

“I don't know how, our crews are collapsing to the ground. They seem to speak a foreign language, sir.”

“That's not good.”

“Sir, there are soldiers running this way.”:

“Get ready for a fight. Halt the ship's movement.”

“Yes, sir. They look like knights. Ow . . . my head hurts.”

Soon the door opens. A squad rushes in. In the next instance another squad appears in a blink of an eye on the bridge.

There is a brief fight. The knights start putting the crewmen to sleep.

“What? I see . . . “

Before I can say another word, a dart is shot at my arm. I fall asleep and slump in the chair. A wizard comes forward and quickly recites the spell to remove the pebbles and the smoke pellet from behind our necks.

Once the pellet is sent outside the floor layout, it explodes. The wing leaders
report to their captains the situation. That is relayed to the commanders on the platform.

There are about six more puffs of smoke seen outside the floor layout as well.

Soon we hear the bell sounds out. “Bong!”

They stop what they are doing and look at the platform.

“Well done, Thryson Legion. Excellent work. You did that in one-quarter mark plus a third. Wake up your fellow knights and report to the platform.”

The wizards and knights recite the spells to wake us up. Sir Halgren comes over to help me up. He takes the dart from my arm and hands it to a dwarf warrior.

“Thank you, Sir Halgren.”

“Are you up for it later?”

“I should have a clear head by the time we get to the platform.”

“Well, then let's get there.”

We start walking to the platform. Some men do a half jog to get there. We also see some ladies being escorted there as well. The 'hostages' all gather together off to the side. The rest of the men arrange themselves as before.

Sir Trenton looks at them again. He nods his head up and down to Sir Valmar.

Sir Valmar speaks out loud, “Thryson Legion, attention!”

Everyone snaps to attention.

The commanders look around. Sir Trenton looks at Sir Valmar again and nods his head up and down.

“At ease, Thryson Legion!”

We all go into a relaxed stance. We look up at the platform to hear what they have to say.

“That's excellent work, men. That's the way to do it. It is important to get them asleep first. Remember that always.”

“Tonight after the evening repast and sunset, we'll have a showing from the Seeing Stones here at the platform. We're going to show the star ship coming here. I want everyone here to see it. Is that understood?”

Everyone shouts, “Yes Sir!”

“Now, I need to take care of a very important matter before it gets out of hand.” Sir Trenton looks around, “Will Sir Callahan please report here, front and center now!”

Sir Callahan steps forward to the front and stands at attention then moves to a relaxed stance.

“Will Outside Helper Richard Moore please comes forward.”

I step out and walk forward. Sir Halgren follows me. I stand to the right of Sir Callahan. I stand at attention and go into a relaxed stance. Sir Halgren stands behind me two steps.

“I'm calling you out, Sir Callahan. What is your problem?”

Sir Callahan looks at me then at Sir Trenton. “My problem is Richard himself. He comes here last year and defeated four knights in Evenshard Kingdom with humiliation. Sure he might be quick and had some self-defense training. But he is small and weak in my eyes.”

“What do you propose, Sir Callahan?”

“I challenge Richard to a test of strength. If he can beat me, I'll acknowledge him as our Outside Helper, Sir Trenton.”

“What happens if you beat him?”

“He does not have my respect. I will ignore him.”

“Do you agree to the tests, Richard?”

“Yes, Sir Trenton. I accept. What are the tests of strength, Sir Trenton?”

“There are two that we have. It is arm wrestling and weight lifting with the legs. There are others, but will that do, Sir Callahan?”

Sir Callahan smiles. “That will do, Sir Trenton.”

Some people smile in the Legion. Some look at others with a concerned face, because they remembered what happened last time when Richard won.

“We'll have the first test up here on the middle platform so that all can see. It will be recorded for proof.”

The three of us walk forward and step up the stairs to the middle platform. We see a table and two chairs there. Sir Halgren and I get on one side. Sir Callahan stands on the other side of the platform.

The commanders stand near as well to officiate. Sir Trenton steps to the center between us.

“What is the wager?”

“I wager one gold piece.” Sir Callahan smiles at me.

“I wager one gold piece as well, and a bonus.”

“What's the bonus, Richard?”

“It's a time bonus, Sir Trenton.”

Sir Callahan looks at me cautiously.

~~~000~~~

So do Sir Callahan's two friends. They look at each other.

Sir Thalstead speaks quietly to his friend. “That's not good, Orslond.”

“Perhaps Callahan can still win.”

“I hope so.”

~~~000~~~

“If we're still at it after a quarter-mark. If the loser gets pinned or gives up. The bet is doubled and the winner takes two gold pieces from the loser.”

Sir Trenton looks at Sir Callahan, “Do you agree?”

Sir Callahan looks a little dumbfounded, then he begins to laugh. “A quarter-mark? You won't make it. I'll beat you in a blink of an eye. I agree, Sir Trenton.”

The crowd begins to grumble with wonderment to what Richard said.

“All right, sit in the chairs.”

I take off my jacket, shirt and breast and back plate armor and hand them to Sir Halgren. I also take off my T-shirt as well. We wink at each other. Then I turn around and look at Sir Callahan.

“Why are you doing that, Richard?”

“This is to show you I have nothing to hide, that way I can't be accused of cheating.”

“Fine, and I’ll do the same thing.” Sir Callahan removes his breast and back plate armor and arm pieces. He then takes off his shirt. He places them on the platform.

He starts to flex his muscles as we look at each other. He sees my build and begins to smile. I don't show any facial expression and keep my muscles relaxed. We then sit down.

Sir Trenton looks at the Legion. “You may break rank and make bets among yourselves if you like. Come no closer to the guards that are posted around the platform.”

Then all mayhem breaks loose. Most of the people walks forward to get near the platform. There are many bets taking place. All of the dwarf warriors and some knights are betting that I will win. Some knights say I will lose badly. This is especially true from Sir Thalstead and his friend, Sir Orslond.

Sir Callahan and I put our right hands together and make a clasp. We use our left hand to grasp the edge of the table. We stare at each other continuously.

“You're a weakling. I'm the strongest on Twainor. I beat Sir Cargan at the last Sea Gala Festival.”

“We'll see.” I stare back with determination.

We both tense up. Sir Trenton puts his hands on top of ours to make sure they're in the top position. He let's go and yells, “Go!”

The knights around the platform begin to yell encouragement to their favorite.

I hold Sir Callahan for a moment. He starts going for the advantage.

He mutters, “I've got you now!”

Someone yells, “Come on, Richard! Fight back!”

Just before he gets halfway, I start to bring it back with determination on my face. “Ugh . . . Arrggh . . . !”

I slowly bring it back. The look on Sir Callahan's face is priceless.

“What?!?! How can that be?!” He mutters.

“Way to go, Richard! Go! Go!”

The commanders, the leadership and Sir Halgren are smiling when they see this.

Slowly I get to the top. I smile at him. “Don't trust your eyes.” I then go for the advantage.

The people are yelling like crazy now.

“Come on, Callahan. You can beat him!”

“Yeah that's it, Richard!”

Sir Callahan has a look of desperation. He struggles to regain it by the time I get halfway down.

I strain as hard as possible, but Sir Callahan slowly struggles to regain the top position. He smiles at me.

“I'm better.”

Then Sir Trenton yells, “One-quarter mark!”

Then I look at Sir Callahan and mutter to him, “Can you save two lives at once?”

“Huh?”

He relaxes for a moment. I struggle to gain the advantage. He then doubles his effort to bring it back to the top.

The men continue their yelling.

“Come on, Richard! You've got him on the ropes!”

“Come on, Callahan! You're the strongest on Twainor!” Yells Sir Thalstead.

Callahan gets it back to the top. He smiles at me again. “I've got you now!”

“No, you don't!” I strain really hard to get the advantage back again. I slowly get halfway. I decide to go for it.

Sir Callahan sees that he is losing and almost spent. He face is getting really red as well as mine.

He then gives up, “Arrrghhh . . . !”

I slam my hand down as I pin him.

Everybody yells and cheers for the outcome. There are some 'boos' heard in the crowd also.

Sir Callahan and I are breathing hard. Callahan is shaking his head in disbelief. He rubs his right arm to relieve the tension.

I do the same thing.

“I don't believe it, but you beat me. How did you do it? I can't see your muscles under your skin.”

Everybody gets quiet to hear my answer.

“My instructor noticed my loose skin as well. He came up with a plan so that my strength is deceptive. Plus, he helped me to control the strength to save a life or two until help comes.'

“Does that include your legs?”

“Yes.”

“Sigh . . . He looks down, “Hmm . . . ” Then he looks at me. “I'll continue with the leg press contest. Here are two gold coins.” Callahan takes out two gold coins from his pocket and hands them to me.

I take them from his hand. I turn and walk up to Sir Trenton with a smile. “Do you know a family or two that are having problems in life?”

Sir Trenton smiles at me. “I do, Richard. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“You're welcome.”

I hand the coins to Sir Trenton. He receives them with a smile.

Then the crowd roars and cheers in approval. Including the dwarf dragons.

Sir Callahan sees the exchange and smiles to himself. Yeah, he would do something like that.

Of course the losers are silent which is about one third of the Legion.

Sir Trenton looks to the crowd and raises his hand to quiet them down, which they do.

“Pay off your bets now. Let's go over to the weight training area. Don't crowd in. Stay behind the roped off area.”

Sir Halgren and the commanders come up and congratulate me.

“Well done, Richard.”

“Thank you, sirs.”

“You have one more contest to go.”

“We'll see. I was hoping to outlast him. Now for a real test of strength.”

“Win or lose, its how you use it.”

“That's right, Sir Leland.” I put my shirt back on and follow the commanders.

We walk down the stairs from the platform. Sir Halgren puts the breast and back plate with the arm and leggings already there near the platform.

A knight who is on guard at the platform speaks, “We'll keep an eye on it, Richard and Sir Halgren. That includes the last match on our crystals.”

“We'll pick them up afterwards.”

“Yes, Sir Halgren.”

“Did you have any bets among yourselves?”

“We didn't need to Sir Halgren. We were rooting for Richard anyway.”

They smile at each other.

We follow everyone else to the weight training area.

We are surrounded by knights and dwarf warriors laughing at what they saw happened.

Then I see Sir Callahan arguing quietly with his two friends. They're agreeing what to do next. Then they walk with confidence and a smile to the weight training area.

We see it is a slope area down in a natural half bowl. We see a few thousand people gather around. The rest of them are using their contact crystals to see the contest.

We walk into the area. I see free weights like I would find in a gym on Earth, but the shapes are different. However, the lever machines that they have for legs, body and arms look different. They do appear to do the same function though.

I see Sir Callahan standing next to the leg press machine. “This is going to be on my terms this time, Richard.”

“What are the conditions?”

“There are two tests. First is the maximum weight. The next one is repetition with that maximum weight.”

“I've seen such contests on Earth. I even did it in my training program.”

“Good. Let's do the maximum weight now. I'll go first. Then we'll see if you can match it. It will be increased until one cannot lift it.”

“That's fair. What are the weight increments?”

“They are two shields apiece.”

I do some quick calculations in my head. Let's see that is about twenty pounds per piece if it is the same as the shield that I ran with the Forest Run. A shield should about weigh ten pounds. I turn to Sir Halgren and whisper. Some commanders lean in to hear the conversation. “That makes almost twenty pieces for my max. I can push it ten times before needing a rest.”

“I understand. Don't hurt yourself.”

“I'm going to need an extra wide belt to hold my stomach muscles in. That way I won't over strain it.” I demonstrate with my hands.

“I'll find one quickly.”

“You'll find one in the equipment and weapons room, Sir Halgren.”

“Yes, Sir Valmar.”

Sir Halgren leaves quickly to find the belt.

I turn to Sir Callahan. I see that he has taken the seat. “Put the weights on, ten pieces to start.”

I calculate quickly. That's about two hundred pounds.

Some knights put the designated weight on the machine. Sir Callahan pushes the weight up easy. He lets it down just as fast. The weights clack when he rests. He gets up. I sit down and do the same thing. I ease the weight down instead.

There is some hand clapping heard in the crowd.

“I thought as much. Put five more pieces on, knights.”

The knights put on the weight pieces. Sir Callahan sits in the chair. He pushes
the weights up easily.

We hear a clapping of hands in the crowd again.

He lets the weight down with a clacking sound again.

He gets up and motions for me to do it.

I get in the chair. I push the weights with ease and lower it down easy.

The crowd cheers when they see I accomplished that. I get up and turn around and see Sir Halgren with the belt. I walk up to him to take it from him. “Thanks, it's been easy so far.”

“You know your limits. Don't overdo it.”

“Thank you for the reminder.” I smile at him.

“You're welcome,” He smiles back.

I turn around and walk back. Sir Callahan orders five more pieces on the machine. He sits down and pushes on the pedals. I see the strain in his face. He pushes the weights up slowly. He lets them down with a bang.

The crowd claps and cheers. He stands up and looks at me. “Beat that!”

I put the leather type belt around me and clasp it in place as tight as possible.

“What's that for, Richard?”

“I don't want to bust my stomach muscles when I strain.”

“That's fine. Go ahead and try it.”

I sit in the chair and put my feet in the pedals. I brace myself. Then I push into it and lift the weights slowly. “Unnnh . . . “ I then reach the extension of my legs. I slowly let the weights down.

The crowd roars with approval.

Sir Callahan looks at me, “Not bad, Richard. I see it in your face. You're close to your max.”

“Same here, Sir Callahan. You're close to your max as well.”

“All right, two more pieces. Then we'll see how many times we can push it.” He stares down at me.

“That sounds fine to me.” I stare back up at him.

The knights put on two more pieces. The crowd grumbles and wonders how strong I am.

I stand near Sir Halgren and the commanders and whisper to them. “I should be able to press it five times.”

“All right.”

Sir Callahan sits in the chair. He huffs and puffs a few times. He then pushes the weight up once. He lets it down easy, but it slams when he gets closer.

The crowd claps and cheers.

Sir Callahan lifts the weights three more times before he gives up. He stands up.

The crowd claps and cheers again.

I see that he is breathing hard. I walk forward and sit in the chair. I put my feet on the pedals and prepare myself. I close my eyes momentarily. I breathe in and out a few times. I press into it.

The crowd cheers for me to do it.

“Come on, Richard, you can do it!”

“That's it. You can do it!”

I slowly lift the weight. I stop when my legs are extended. I slowly lower the weights back down. I don't slam the weights.

The crowd claps their hands and cheers me on.

I lift the weight two more times with no problems. Each time the crowd roars with approval.

Sir Callahan can't believe what he is seeing. His friends don't believe it either.

I push it one more time to tie him. I scream, “Arrrghhh . . . !” I push the weight to the top. I then let the weights down easy. But I let them slam the last several inches.

The crowd roars and cheers me on to do it one more time.

“Come on, Richard! One more time!”

I put my hand to my stomach. I hear the crowd cheering me on for one more.

I raise my hands to quiet them down. “I can go for one more Sir Callahan but I won't. I don't want to hurt myself at this time. We are so close to battle. I know my limits.”

The crowd groans with disappointment.

I stand up and walk up to Sir Callahan and nod my head at him and smile. I raise my right hand toward his left shoulder.

The crowd gets quiet. He looks at my hand, then he looks at the commanders. He sees their faces of concern. He looks at me again. He smiles at me and puts his right hand onto my left shoulder. I then put my right hand onto his left shoulder.

“I accept the tie, Richard. Let's each give a gold piece to help a family out.”

“That's a very good idea, Sir Callahan.” I smile at him.

The crowd roars with approval.

Sir Callahan's friends can't believe it either. Again they lost money to the others.

The commanders step forward to take control of the crowd.

“All right Legion. The fun is over. You have time to get yourselves cleaned up for the evening repast. Use your time wisely. Pay off your bets if you did agree with someone.”

Sir Valmar shouts out loud, “Thryson Legion dismissed!”

I'm greeted by many for putting on a great show of strength. The commanders come up and do the same thing.

“I didn't think you could do it. But you like you said, you know your limits.”

“Yes, but what I need right now is a visit to the healer's tent. I need some ointment or medicine to relieve the stress and strain. Moreover, I need a rub down. I don't want to cramp when I go to bed tonight.”

“Yes I would too, Richard. Sir Halgren, see to it please?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don't worry about the gold piece. We'll take care of that later.”

“Thank you, Sir Trenton.”

Sir Halgren escorts me to the healer's tent. We enter the tent and see the healers there. One of them is attending a knight. They see us enter in.

“Salia, Richard needs some tending. His muscles are strained from Sir Callahan's challenge.”

“We heard and saw it. Yes, we have something for you.”

“Come over here and sit on the table. We'll give you something to swallow. Then we'll do a rub down with some ointment.”

Tamia takes a jar from the shelf with a label on it. She takes off the lid. She reaches for a cup and puts it on the table. She takes a pitcher of water from another table and pours some water into it. She puts the pitcher back.

She takes a spoon and dips it into the jar. She takes out some powder and puts a level spoonful into the cup of water. She stirs it with the spoon. Once she is satisfied that it is well mixed. She hands me the cup of water with the powder.

“This will help you later when you get to bed.”

“Thank you.” I take it and drink the cup of water. It doesn't have much taste. It seems to taste like an aspirin that I know from Earth.

Tamia puts the items away. “All right, now lie down on the table. Let's do that rub down. Take off your pants and shirt.”

I take off the pants and shirt. They see I'm wearing a pair of shorts underneath.

Then Felton takes a big jar from a floor chest and put it on a table nearby and opens it. Tamia and Felton take a little bit of ointment into their hands. They begin the rub down of all of leg and arm muscles. They even work the stomach muscles as well.

“Oh . . . that feels really good. Keep it up.”

“Well, don't fall asleep on us.” Tamia smiles.

We all laugh in the tent.

“I'll try not to.”

When she rubs the stomach muscles again, she pauses and looks at me with a knowing look.

I look at her and nod my head up and down.

She bends down to my ear and whispers. “You have both organs?”

“I do, Tamia. I didn't know until my family died a moon ago or so.”

“I'm sorry you had to find out that way. I'll keep it a secret.”

“My King and Queen, Renard and Trianna are the only ones who know at this point in time.”

“All right.” She rises back up and smiles at me and continues the rubbing of the muscles.

After awhile, they are done.

“You're in excellent health, Richard. We can sense it while we rubbed you down.”

“Yes, it stems from my self-defense classes.”

“That's good.”

“Well that's it, Richard. You should sleep really well tonight.”

“Thanks.” I reach for my coin purse in my satchel and take out three silver pieces. “Please accept it. I know you get paid well by King Tierion. Use it for purchasing more herbs.”

“Thank you, Richard. We'll do that.”

“Now go so that we can have our evening repast as well.”

“Yes, my lady.” I bow my head quickly and raise it.

They all laugh.

I get myself dressed. I walk out with Sir Halgren. We stop by the platform and pick up my armor. The knights posted there then leave for their evening repast. We then start walking back to the dorms. We walk past rows and rows of tents near the edge of the field. Soon we enter the building where I sleep with the sergeants.

“How much time do I have until the evening repast Sir Halgren?”

“We have about a full mark.”

“Good, we have time to get a bath.”

“That sounds good to me. I'll join you. After what we've been through today, we definitely need it.”

“That's for sure. Leave your armor here. Just wear the stealth clothes to the bathing room. You'll get it cleaned as well. Bring a silver coin for the pages in the bathing room.”

“Okay.” I take off my shirt and jacket, I unsnap the latches and remove the breast and back plate and place them on the bed. I remove the padding from all of the armor. I fold them up and place them in the floor chest near my bed. I put the shirt and jacket back on. I bring my coin purse with me as Halgren suggested.

When I get done, I see that Sir Halgren has done the same thing. We exit the sleeping quarters and walk across the hall. Sir Halgren opens the door. We walk inside the room. I see a nice layout of at least a dozen brass type tubs. There are pages there helping the others in the tubs like returning clean clothes, pouring in water and making it hot, etc. I see some captains and sergeants in the other tubs.

One of the young men sees us walk in. “Come, there are two tubs over here.”

We walk over to the tubs. There are a chair and a small table nearby. We sit down in the chair and begin to undress. I take off the boots and place them near the chair. Then I take off all my clothes and place them on the chair. I slowly inch my way into the hot water.

“Ahh... that feels good.” I lean back and smile.

A page comes near to me. “I'll take care of your clothes. They will be clean when you're done.”

“Thank you.”

He picks up the clothes and takes them to a station to clean them up.

I take the soap from the table and begin to scrub with the small cloth and clean my body. “This is great Halgren. It has been days since my last wash on Earth.”

“I can tell you're overdue.” He smiles at me while he gets himself clean as well.

“Uh huh . . . If I took this bath tomorrow, I might be repelling the enemy downwind.”

Then everybody laughs in the room.

“We would all be, Richard.”

“How were you able to push that weight Richard? I didn't think it was possible with your size.”

“It took time to build up to that Sir Bratton. I can easily push forty shields. I estimate each shield to weigh about ten pounds on Earth. When he asked for two more pieces, I knew I could push it five times at least.

“But you felt something after the fourth push, right?”

“I did, Sir Langley. The belt helped me push the weight and keep from injuring my stomach muscles. It has been known that if a stomach muscle is too weak, it won't hold some organs when it is strained. I decided no more after that.”

We then get quiet for a moment while we continue to scrub our bodies. This soap smells great. I detect a nice smelling flower in it. I also wash my hair as well. It feels good to be clean again. I will probably need another bath if we win two days from now. I rub my face to feel my beard. It's not too bad. It will need a shave as well in two days.

“This bath sure does feel good after that rub down from the healers sirs.”

“I'm sure it does, Richard. Well, we've been here long enough. We need to get dressed for the evening repast at first shift.”

We all stand up in the tubs. We take a pitcher of water that's on the tables near us. We begin to rinse the soap off our bodies.

I look at the chair and see my clothes are there. They're all clean and neatly folded. Even the torn edges have been repaired. That's great. It’s just like new.

We step out of the tubs and step onto a floor rug near the tubs. I take the hand cloth and wring it and hang it on the edge of the tub. I then take a towel hanging over the back of the chair and begin to dry myself. When that is done, I get dressed and put the boots on last. I see a brush on the table. I take and use it to straighten out my hair.

I rub my finger on my teeth to feel them. I wished I brought a toothbrush. Chewing those mint leaves will have to do. I'll ask a healer for some advice later.

I look around and see everyone else is dressed and ready. I take a silver coin from my purse and put it on the table. I see the captains and sergeants do the same thing as well.

We walk out of the room and down the hall. We exit the building together. We see half of the Legion walking toward the dining halls.

We enter the center dining hall and walk to the tables where we sat earlier today.

We see the commanders up there standing with Wizard Gryphon. Then we hear a loud voice from the back. “All in!”

Sir Trenton looks at Wizard Gryphon, “Please give the evening Thanks, Wizard Gryphon.”

“Yes, Sir Trenton. “Maker, we just want to thank you for another successful day to prepare ourselves. We know the enemy is on the way to destroy your creation. You have given us hope with our Outside Helper. Let this food we are about to eat restore our strength. Thank you, Maker.”

Everyone responds, “Thank you, Maker.”

Everyone sits down on the benches and sees what is available for us. We see some different vegetables cooked up in the bowls. There are also fruits and grilled fish served up.

We pour ourselves juice from the pitchers into our mugs. We start eating the salad set before us. There are greens, nuts, cold fruit sliced and a serving of cooked grains.

All of the food is great tasting with the spices and oil on the salad plate. We begin to talk while we eat.

“When will I be going to the ships for the next part of the training?”

“Right after we get done eating the morning repast. We'll meet with King Tierion before we go.”

“All right, Sir Halgren.”

“The Navy commanders are in charge there with some Legion Commanders, Richard.”

“Don't worry, Richard. Sir Trenton and the other Legion Commanders have been in constant communication since we started. They know what has been accomplished here.”

“That's good. It's important to be on the same page. How is the defense going on here?”

“We'll be putting the finishing touches on it tomorrow while you're there.”

“We've taken your ideas and the stories from the historical records on the scout ship to good use. We'll be ready for those air fighters.”

“We just hope their barrier shields can be turned off in time.”

“If not, we'll have to use our wizards and sorceresses to fly in the Ethereal Space. They will have to place the bombs in them or toss them.”

“That's an alternative choice if it comes to it.”

When we get done talking, we see that we are done with the salad and the main dish. We pour ourselves the third glass of juice. We then each grab a couple of fruits for our dessert.

We cut them up and remove the seeds that we find. We have a great time in eating them. We hear everyone else in the dining hall enjoying it as well.

When we get done, we get ourselves cleaned up. We even sort the seeds and rinds for the kitchen staff. We also arrange the plates and utensils like before.

We each lift our mug and bring them together and we say, “To victory.”

We drink some of it. Then we see Sir Trenton standing up to give a speech.

We all get quiet to hear him speak. The other dining halls are seeing it as well with a contact sphere with the image displayed very large.

“Thryson Legion, I want to thank you all for participating these last few days. You've all learned how important it is to defend ourselves against this enemy.”

“I especially want to thank the Maker for sending our Outside Helper here in our time of need.” He points to me.

I stand up and smile. Then everyone begins to clap and cheer.

“Thank you, Maker!”

“Richard! Richard!” I let them chant for a bit.

I give a formal bow and raise my hands, they quiet down.

“Thank you, thank you, my friends. It's an honor to serve you this way. Now we need to get ready to save Twainor and the crew on the star ship from an ancient enemy.”

“To Victory!” I shout.

“To Victory!” They shout in response.

“For the Maker!” I shout.

“For the Maker!” They shout in response.

“For Twainor!” I shout.

“For Twainor!” They shout in response.

Then they all cheer and shout together.

I then sit down. Sir Trenton raises his hands to quiet them down, which they do.

“Thank you, Richard. Tomorrow we'll be going over the plans to improve our defenses when these air fighters arrive.”

“There will be mock battles in the air. The dragons have agreed to help us. They'll be dropping boulders on us here in the training field. It is up to us to use our wizards, sorceresses and our weapons to deflect these boulders away from us.”

“The centaurs, Avel and the fairies will be in the woods seeing how the wild life behaves and lead them to safety if they have to. We'll be doing this until the noon repast.”

“After that, you will get to go home to help with your village, town or Castle Lord. The King's Knights and Dwarf Warrior Brigade will remain here.”

“Take what you have learned here and use it wisely. After the sun setting this evening, gather by the platform. We'll show you the star ship from the Seeing Stones. That's all. Thryson Legion, dismissed!”

We all get up and walk outside. We see the second shift standing out there waiting to go in. The kitchen staff walks in quickly to clean up the tables and set the food for the second shift. They get done eating in about two-thirds of a mark.

I see Sir Callahan arguing with his friends again, so do Sir Halgren. This time he shakes his head 'no' as they walk away laughing.

I whisper to Sir Halgren. “I think Sir Callahan needs some new friends.”

He whispers back, “He certainly does, Richard. It looks like those two need some new lessons.”

“It will be waiting for them when it happens.”

We walk around outside and breathe in the fresh air. As Sir Halgren and I walk around, we are greeted by many.

“Greetings, Richard. I just want to thank you for coming and for all of your ideas.”

I shake hands with them as I talk with them.

“You're welcome. I've been trying to provide it so that it can be easy to understand.”

“We might be in a better position if those dwarves shared their knowledge a long time ago.”

Sir Halgren and some dwarves hear a tone of voice that doesn't sound well.

“Now listen, knights. I resent that tone. Even I don't know what they know in the designer and builder enclaves. It was a secret group. They felt if the rest of Twainor had this knowledge, there would be more trouble in the wrong hands. Moreover, they were trying to isolate the dwarf under kingdom from the upper kingdoms.”

The knights look at the dwarf warriors as if about to say something. The dwarf warriors look at me.

“I could not have said it better, warrior Kelgar. I may know more than the dwarves sir knight at this moment. I have to be careful what knowledge I give you. You'll have to learn on your own.”

“Fortunately the Ethereal Space prevents Twainor from doing greater damage. The safety measures have to be in place and understood as the discoveries are made. The other Outside Helpers come from worlds with problems of their own. They don't want to see them repeated here either.”

“There is one world where the people had to build floating cities to survive. They polluted the world with their war more than a thousand years ago.”

“I... I... I'm sorry Richard.” He looks down then at me again, then at the dwarf warriors. “I'm sorry, Kelgar.”

“You’re forgiven, sir knights. Do you remember what happened last year with the Wizard Ruald in the Maranelle Island Kingdom?”

“I remember. He used the knowledge for the wrong reasons. Twainor would be a different place if he had won.”

“The people who could use magic would be fewer and fewer. ”

“That's right. But the Maker intervened so that we have a chance to fight for Twainor today.”

“You mean to tell me, Sir Halgren, we could be destroyed if Ruald had won?”

“Yes, then the enemy would find Earth eventually and try to destroy it as well.”

“That's right or Earth would try and fight back and defend itself.”

“Wow . . . I didn't think that far ahead.”

“Don't worry about it. That's why you have leaders in place to do that. The scout ship was detected and sent to the surface. But still Twainor had no knowledge of the star ship yet if I didn't come.”

“They could have sent dwarf designers to try and figure it out. But their knowledge is limited at this time.”

“If Richard didn't come, we would have no help at all.”

Then the attitude begins to change in the crowd around us. They start looking down deep in thought. Then they start to hug me one by one. Sir Halgren and the dwarves smile when they see that.

“Thank you, Richard.” They slap me on the back.

“You're welcome.” I slap them on the back.

I do this to about twenty knights who come up to me.

Then we hear a voice near us.

“The second shift is done eating. Come it is time to gather at the platform.”

We start walking toward the platform. We see the commanders up there. We hear Sir Trenton speak.

“Look. Here comes the sun setting!”

We look eastward. Then we see the wall of colorful lights approach us. We all begin to clap, cheer and laugh during the experience.

The dwarf dragons are flying in the air displaying a unique combination while blowing flames in the air. We see birds and insects flying in the air as well.

We see the colorful lights intermingle among us. It radiates from our fingers with streams of light.

“This is great friends. It's too bad, I can't do this on Earth.”

“You did analyze the Ethereal Space to be used on the star ship. Perhaps you can create a room on Earth if you want to.”

“I could, Sir Halgren, but it's not right. If someone finds it, someone could use it for the wrong reasons and create great harm.”

“You're right, Richard.”

“But the idea of using their 3-D technology for computers will fit with us. We are heading in that direction as well.”

“Good.”

We smile at each other.

Then the light display leaves the training field. We see it leave westward. In about half-mark or so it reaches the Thryson Mountains. The lights flare up like a crown of rays along the ridge. It then disappears. Then we see the stars, the nebulae and the twin moons shining brightly in the heavens.

We all clap and cheer when we see it all displayed in full color and glory from the Maker. Then we hear Sir Trenton again.

“We're now going to display the star ship from the Seeing Stones. Richard, will you please come up here.”

“Yes sir.”

Sir Halgren follows me up to the top of the platform.

I see the commanders there with Wizard Gryphon. Then we see a lot of dragons flying from the west. They land in the empty parts of the training field.

Wizard Gryphon takes out his contact crystal. He puts his right hand above it. He recites the spell to tap into the Seeing Stones Observatory near Thryson Castle. Soon the image of the star ship appears as a small image.

Then he recites another spell to make it bigger and focus on the star ship. Then the image is made three stories high.

Everyone in the field grumble to themselves as they see it move toward them. They all have different looks on their faces. Some people looked astonished, even the dragons are very upset. A lot of knights and dwarf warriors have a look of determination on their faces.

“Oh wow . . . That's big.”

“Richard is right.”

“It's coming to destroy us.”

Some yell to encourage them.

“We'll win the day!”

“Thank you, Maker for bringing Richard!”

Then Sir Trenton speaks.

“Yes, it's on its way here. We estimate it will be here the day after tomorrow. We must have a clear mind always. Communication is the key. There will be two Legion Commanders assigned to the assault on the star ship. They will have a complete set of leadership up there. Navy Lieutenant Sir Palinar has been selected to represent Thryson leadership there.”

“They will know what is going on and will be talking to us on the progress. I will be here to help coordinate the forces of Twainor from here at the castle. Sir Valmar and Sir Leland will be in charge of Thryson Kingdoms’ forces as they have always done.”

“We must work together to help save Twainor. The air fighters will be fast and agile in flight. We'll be faster. Croin and the Dragons of the Rainbow Falls, I see that you are here. How is it going with your efforts?”

Croin and some other dragons fly near the platform and land near it.

“The land and sea dragons have been working hard to come up with ideas to bring them down.”

“The team work with the wizards is really working out great. Ryujin is doing really well to control his lightning. He will be very difficult to bring down.”

Everybody cheers and claps when they hear the news.

“Some of us will be here in the morning to help your ground forces practice your defense.”

“Thank you, Dragons of the Rainbow Falls. Have a good night sleep See you tomorrow morning.”

“See you tomorrow morning, Thryson Legion.”

Then all of the dragons take flight and circle around the training field. They shoot flames.

We all clap and cheer while they fly back to the Thryson Mountains.

Once we see them leave, we hear Sir Trenton again from the platform.

“Get a good night's sleep, men. Tomorrow is another day to prepare. Good night Thryson Legion. Your dismissed.”

The commanders then walk down from the platform. The men go their ways to their tents and sleeping quarters.

We begin to get undress and get ready for bed in the sergeant's quarters. We get under our covers and rest our heads on the pillow. A sergeant recites the spell to turn off the lights to the light crystals in the room.

We all soon fall asleep to a very sound sleep.

I have some pleasant dreams from home. When they seem to be winding down, the dreams change to Earth's past. Then I hear a voice coming into the dream.

“Fire! Fire!”