Well Met! I now tell the tale of the 2005 Ale Quest in the shire of Sterling. I
am Sir Bernard, Duke of Chutney in the Service of the Ale Knights. To my left is
Sir Bacardi, High Priest of the Ale Knights and of the Holy Ale Quest. To my
right is Sir Paul in the Service of the Queen of the Shire, and to his right is
Sir Brian of the Wood and his lovely daughter Lady Gwen, Ale Maiden.
Behold! The quest has begun! We have just come from the mimosa booth at the gate and then the Fox & Hound tavern. After slaking mighty thirsts there in we headed towards the Puss 'N' Boots Pub to get it out of the way. It is not one of the favorite sights of the Ale Knights to imbibe.
On the way we met Sir Paul and spoke with
him at length. He was concerned about the theft of Sir Brian's tunic by godless
boogiemen which he felt was a bad omen for the Quest. However after a short
foamy blessing by Sir Bacardi, a long drink to empty all mugs, the quest
proceeded on, Praise Ned!
Here is the dream of every true Ale Knight! A friend buying a round! Nay, nay, (hic!)
it is the straight and true figure of Sir Bacardi before the bar of the Puss 'N'
Boots Pub ordering the holy ale. To his right is a patron who has had the bottom
legs of his pants stole by the hated boogiemen. Behind the bar is a lovely
maiden preparing to serve cold refreshing ale to thirsty knights.
Shortly after Sir Bacardi did refill the Quest mugs, he did most happily perform
the induction rites for three new ale knights, Sir Christopher (behind me),
Lady Heidi (to the right of Sir Brian), and Sir Christopher Jr.
(to my left).
Huzzah! It was a wonderful celebration and to be knighted upon the very day of
the Quest itself! What more could one want ..another ale?
The quest then passed to the Jousters pub which lies near the castle and
tournament field.
This drynk stall has become home to many Ginkos and therefore
the toasts to Ned and the other ale knights not present this day were brief and
tankards quickly emptied. (hic, hic!) Gadzooks! The Duke is beginning to talk to
someone let us be off!
Here we have Sir Bacardi and I before the second mimosa booth located in the
center of the shire. I proudly hold the great stained banner of the Ale Knights,
while Sir Bacardi holds the new cross of the Ale Knights designed by us both and
painted by its bearer. It was a proud moment as we posed, for the Quest was well
on its way and so were we! Soth Bentos!
Here we have Lady Marta, Champion of the Ale Quest. She is sitting in the shade
of the Glass bobbery drinking a refreshing mimosa while fanning her self and
hoping that Lady Mary, Lady of the Holy Ale Quest will appear soon with
Lady Alex, Ale Maiden. Will the Ladies Mary and Alex appear? Will the Quest be
completed? Let us continue.
Here we have Hawkers Crossing in all its hustle and bustle. It was the next
tavern after the mimosa booth I believe. This photo was not taken on the 2005
Quest as the Duke who was getting in his cups forgot that he had his magical
black box with him. The photo is from the 2005 season though. Praise Ned yet
again the ladies who serve at this pub are some of the loveliest and healthiest
in the shire!
Of course Ladies Mary and Alex will appear, you sots!
From this point the Quest had to make its way through the formidable glen which
houses Mystics way home of the once greatly feared mystic seer Tourmaline. All
hands were on hilts and tankards as the inebriated knights made their way as
best they could to the Gamers Glen Pub. What a merry sight the Quest knights
beheld, a jolly tavern amidst games of skill and cold frothing ale. This tavern
is famous in legends and lore for as Sir Bacardi correctly guessed this is bar
where once a thirsty, weary traveler could have ale served to him/her by the
comely Misty Mundane. Hey Nonny, Nonny! On ward! Cross the Kissing Bridge and
then a stop at the flushing privies, then a mere stride to the Crusty Wife (Rusty
Knife). This proved to be a most perilous task as the bees of Sterling Forest
abound and all had to check their mugs before quaffing! Once all mugs and
bladders were drained the knights proceeded to the Chess Pub (The Mermaid Inn).
The photo is of opening day 2005 with Sirs Valiant, Bacardi,
and Bernard before
the Chess Pub toasting Ned, and the death of Sir John Barley Corn.
Upon the side of the Chess Pub, here can be seen Sirs Bernard, Brian, Lady Gwen,
and the newly knighted Sir Christopher Jr. speaking with a black woodsman
shortly before the move to the final draft at Matty Groves. The woodsman is grim
faced too many Ginkos in the forests this day! Here it should be noted that the
Duke in a moment of drunken dumbness knocked off the nasal piece to his helm.
What a tosspot! Oh ho! There seems to be quite a line of travelers coming from
the opposite direction! Will the Ale Knights be able to make Matty Groves before
more trouble befalls them? Lead on!
MATTY GROVES! The Ale Knights have completed the Ale Quest 2005! Praise Ned!
Soth Bentos!
The final drinks are had and a good rest is deserved by all.
Proudly does the Banner wave, the cross shine and the shield hang above the
glistening taps!
[Editor: Also note the Ale Knight medallion shield from Ale Quest 2003 proudly displayed above the taps.]
God, St. Michael and St. George be with the Ale Knights in the
heat of opening day 2006 and the 2006 Quest Knights! Sirs Bacardi, Bernard, and
Grassanod celebrate Ned at Matty Groves 2005!
But where is Sir Brian’s mail? A fie upon those boogiemen!