SC - Creme Bastarde

[Sue Clemenger]

>
> >The following is a work of fiction.  Any complimentary references to
> >persons real or fictitious are of course intentional, all other
> >interpretations are clear signs that you are paranoid.  Permission 
>granted
> >to redistribute, so long as credit is given.
> >
> > Finding the Dream
> > by Colin of Tighan
> >
> >One fine Saturday morning, MiLord woke up and realized he was missing
> >something, something very important to him.  Saddened, he suited up in 
>his
> >armor and went out to be inspected.
> >
> >Sir Knight walked up to him and said, "Good Morrow, MiLord!  How fare you
> >this day?"
> >
> >MiLord was dejected. "Sir Knight, I've lost The Dream."
> >
> >Sir Knight nodded sagely, having seen this before.  "Indeed?  Well, try a
> >few bouts with my new squire.  He needs a few pointers, and I think a few
> >good fights will take your mind off it." And so it was that for a time
> >MiLord worked with Sir Knight and his squire, and each gave the other
> >something new and useful.  When it was done, however, MiLord's feelings 
>of
> >loss returned to him.  Lost in his thoughts, he wandered the camp until
> >he came across Mistress Laurel.
> >
> >"Poor lad!  Such a long face you bear!  Whatever can be wrong?"  MiLord
> >told his tale, and Mistress Laurel clucked sympathetically. "Perhaps a 
>new
> >song will lighten your heart!  And you can help me with this tunic I am
> >making for a new person in our group."  They sang and made merry, even
> >when he had to hold still while she used him as a model for the tunic, 
>and
> >for a time his search was forgotten.  When 'twas done, however, his mind
> >returned once more to his problems.  Seeing this, Mistress Laurel laid a
> >hand on his arm and said, "Perhaps Master Pelican can help you find what
> >you seek."  And so he did seek out that worthy.
> >
> >Master Pelican listened gravely to MiLord's question.  "Where to find the
> >Dream?  Oh, my.  Well, now, I believe I saw it at Pennsic, could you have
> >lost it there?  Or perhaps it was at dance practice, I know I saw you 
>with
> >it then.  Oh forsooth, MiLord, I grieve that you have lost the Dream!"
> >MiLord nodded soberly, for by now all his joy had fled.  Master Pelican
> >spoke on. "MiLord, I tell you, I think it can be found...but for now, I
> >see someone who needs your Service. Why not ask her?"  Master Pelican
> >smiled, and gestured toward a tear-streaked Little Girl who stood
> >helplessly watching them both.
> >
> >This was not where MiLord expected to find the Dream, but a damsel in
> >distress still deserved his help.  He knelt before her and said, "Little
> >Girl, I have lost the Dream.  Have you seen it?"  Little Girl looked
> >up at him and sniffed back a tear.
> >
> >"I've lost my Mommy."
> >
> >MiLord saw that his plight was as nothing compared to hers, and with a
> >flourish he swore a great oath that he would not rest until Little Girl
> >was reunited with Mommy.  Delighted, Little Girl forgot her tears, and
> >together they sojourned forth in quest of her, and soon enough they found
> >her, likewise distressed at the loss of Little Girl.  Bowing, he placed
> >Little Girl in Mommy's arms, and turned to go.  Before he took two steps,
> >Little Girl's voice stopped him.
> >
> >"You oughta ask the King where your Dream is.  He knows *everything*."
> >
> >MiLord considered this, and turned his steps toward the King.  Soon he
> >knelt before the Throne, and having given proper obeisance, asked, "My
> >Liege--I have lost the Dream! What am I to do?"
> >
> >The King smiled down at MiLord, and said, "Have you now?  Look behind
> >you."
> >
> >MiLord turned, and behind him stood New Person.  New Person was wearing
> >that same tunic he had patiently been the model for.  In his hand was a
> >copy of the song that he had sung.  His expression was bright, but a
> >little uncertain.
> >
> >"MiLord...MiLord, I don't know what to say.  I watched you fight with
> >Chivalry and Honor, and tried to learn from what you showed that squire.
> >I want to be like that, too!  I loved the song, and I thank you so much
> >for the tunic!  Master Pelican told me how much you have done for
> >everyone, and that Little Girl...you treated that Little Girl like a 
>great
> >Lady.  I wept to see it.  Please, MiLord, how can I be like you?"
> >
> >MiLord was shocked.  Was this, then, the Dream?  Was it right here, all
> >along?  How could he have missed it? He heard the King's voice, soft and
> >wise.
> >
> >"Do you see now, MiLord?  The Dream is not something you have.
> >
> >"It is something you *do*."
> >
> >In Service to the Dream,
> >Colin of Tighan

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