Author's note: Hello again! Thanks for cooperating. it feels good to have more reviews. From now on I won't write a new chapter unless the previous chapter has been reviewed at least 5 times. Ok? Ok (I have now realised that I'm not really asking you this question as you're not here while I am typing it are you? No (unless you're stalkers!(Yes, I am having brackets in brackets. deal with it))). Ok. Now that that's over, ON WITH THE STORY! (Yaaaay!)

Chapter 3. An audience with the royals

We ascended the marble stairs into the throne-room. H.R.H King Schott was sitting on a golden throne with red velvet, wearing the gold and red crown of Stornway (hiding his golden blonde hair) and his usual green robes. Next to him on an identical throne was Queen Schott, wearing a purple dress that pooled on the floor and a pearl and emerald necklace. Her blonde hair was short and she looked tearful. Standing on the other side of her father was Princess Simona, a beautiful girl with long, silky ginger hair pulled back into a huge ponytail and kind eyes. She was wearing a jade and lapis (A.N: Lapis lazuli: deep blue) dress. She was in a heated argument with her father while her emotional mother fought back tears.

"I will not allow it lass!" Bellowed King Schott.
"But father!" Simona protested, determined. "If I do not go then he will come here and attack everyone! Or a traveller will get killed because they saw that blasted sign outside!"
"Better them than you love! I'll send a hundred men to their deaths if have to te' protect you!"
"Why you twisted, thoughtless-"
The King noticed our presence.
"Wheesht lass! We've got company!"
"You there!" He boomed, pointing at us. "Approach the throne!"
We did as we were told. With Izzy in front, we walked towards the throne. Izzy bowed and we followed suit.
"Your majesty," she began. "We have come because we saw the sign in the village centre. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Izzy Angelicus, a warrior of the minstrel vocation. I'm handy with a fan and know a few others tricks to defeat the fiend terrorising your home."
I introduced myself next. "I am Aaron Incantaeron, a mage. I am pretty good with a knife and I am second-to-none with the combat spells in my possession."
Then it was Mel's turn. "I am Mel Benevolus, the most cheery priest in all of Stornway. I can impale my enemies with a spear while still being able to heal my teammates with confidence."
Luke was less formal than the rest of us. "Hi. I'm Luke Potennon. A hit from my staff is the equivalent of being hit by a sprinting horse and I can climb any oak tree in under 60 seconds!"
"Well, you look like a promisin' bunch," the King began. "You've got the job! You see, the Wight Knight has demanded that Simona here meets him by Loch Storn today at noon. No doubt to get me to send all me guards with her and then attack the castle!"
"Och, father!" Simona interjected. "It's so terrible that you won't even consider what the man is saying might be true!"
The king snapped. "CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I'M TRYING TO TELL OUR GUESTS THE SITUATION? I AM THE KING, I WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS! NOW SHUT YOUR TRAP AND LET ME TALK. ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ATTACK THE CASTLE IS AN ENEMY OF THE KING!" A long silence lay over the room. only to be broken by the Queen's occasional sobs.

"So anyways," King Schott continued. "I would appreciate it if you went there and gave him a hiding for me. If you succeed, I'll open the treasure chamber for you. Do you accept?"
The answer came simultaneously, "Yes." We bowed and left the palace, buzzing with excitement about our first mission. Izzy expressed her relief at not having to train us.
"It's so great not having to train you!" She said merrily. "It would take ages and we would never reach the Loch by noon."
We were all prepared so we ran out of Stornway and into the wilderness.

30 minutes later (noon)...

We reached the Loch and looked over the blue water as it sparkled like crystals. The peaceful silence was only broken by the whoosh of the wind and the birds singing in the trees

The Wight Night was nowhere.

Izzy went a few metres away and her mouth started moving. It looked like she was talking to herself.

Great, our leader's a madwoman. I thought.

She came back over smiling.
"We might as well wait for him. There's no point leaving now!" She said cheerfully. Then she noticed us gaping at her "What?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Let's make lunch. I'm going to fry some beef and make gravy. Then I'll put it in a hot bread roll and we'll have four hot beef and gravy sandwiches!"

Lunch was a hit.

7pm

The sun was setting and there was still no sign of the Wight Knight.

We had packed up the animal-skins we had been using as rugs and I was about to throw the chimera wing that would take us back to Stornway when we heard a horse.

We turned around to see a black stallion and a black-clad knight descending on us and about to land on our heads. Mel and I threw up a flame barrier (I cast Frizz and manipulate the fire so it forms a dome around us instead of a ball and Mel uses Buff on it to strengthen it. Anything that touches it is burned and bounces off) and we felt it shudder as the horse landed on it and leaped, injured, to the ground. The barrier faded so we could see our opponent and we came face-to-face (well, face-to-helmet) with the Wight Knight.

"Where is Princess Mona?" He demanded. We stayed silent, confused at his question. The princess was called Simona, not Mona.
He must have strudel in his noodle. I thought to myself.
He repeated his question. Izzy replied with venom in her voice.
"She is not here."
"Ah, I see," replied the knight. "You have come in her place to defeat me. Well, I will not put up with this."
He pointed his lance at us. "Your lives will end here for coming between me and my beloved Mona!"
His helmet flipped open so we could see his face.

The madman was right.

The Wight Knight was a corpse.

Author's note: OOOOOOOH! MOMENT BEFORE THE FIGHT MOMENT! Sorry to leave it there but I think this is enough for one chapter. Besides, my brain's all dried up for going into overdrive to finish the chapter today. I need to refill my creativeness juice!
So, as I said before, I won't write another chapter until I have at least 5 reviews (BTW. 'och' is a Scottish word meaning 'oh' or 'ugh' or 'aah!').

Happy writing!