The riddles of master Gigolet
A few years ago, a slick fellow tried to play games on Messer Finran. Who would have thought that possible? Usually his scars and his imposing stature do not encourage to take him lightly... Here's how.
.oOo.
A fat man, lithe and laughing, sat at the bar and asked for pullets and pies, engulfing them before one could count them. But the bold and cunning fellow was not willing to pay, challenging master Gigolet to have him throw up his meal. The poor waiter nearly swoon at that bleak prospect ...
This petty thief thought he would get away with that dine and ditch but Messer Finran, with his iron fist, seized and bound him over a barrel, from which he could not move all night long. He was given clear water, but that was all. After three days of this, the eat-and-run called for mercy, and accepted Messer Finran's deal.
Every evening he was opposed to the hosts of the great hall in a riddles contest. He was promised that he would be released as soon he would win. But in Thalion, especially at the sign of the Drunken Goose, the antique riddle game is often practiced and everyone hones his tricks. This means our thief was not to be released any time soon!
Yet he was granted a roast chicken every time he lost with panache.
The game had been lasted for two weeks and the thief could not manage to win. One night he tried other arts. So Messer Finran was forced to release him when the infuriated guy pretended singing with his rattle voice, only good for dehorning cattle!
Since that time, when a traveler has been too timid, he is offered a riddle contest, while retaining a smile...
Here are some of the riddles heard in the great hall. Most are pretty easy, but you will find all the answers?
.oOo.
1
Ten companions
who never stride
the roads together
2
-« Passenger without luggage.
Heir without purse.
His legacy will not bequeath.
Knows how to do,
But may not do so.1. »
3
Patient sequence,
Winding line unrolled too quickly,
I may not be forced to stop,
But I stop for each of us.
4
Two squads of swashbucklers sorted by size,
Winner and loser in turn,
Vassals of the same headman.
5
Flies without wings,
Grows landless,
Worries as wisdom decimate,
Age governs its color.
6
Comes friends closer,
Opens onto the unknown,
Yards between the yards,
Ribbon on the dress in the world.
7
Neither empty nor full,
Of air, it is not.
Dark or bright according to ease,
Away from the nest, but cozy by reputation,
Fragrant volutes sometimes escape.
8
Intermediate link
In a chain that multiplies
At each step or dwindles
Without which would be less
As a tree root, proud and vigorous
9
Steward opposes any,
Captain shows the way,
Sergeant lies lasciviously,
Loving Corporal clothes his golden armor,
Petty soldier listens silently.
10
Chrysophile inextinguishable
Selfish arrogance
Bane of the greedy,
Curse of his victor.
11
My many parents are slender than me,
I am pettier than my child.
I have a gorge but can only sing,
I flow but do not drown,
I have a bed but never sleep there
12
More powerful than the dragon,
More vulnerable than the newborn,
The blind man sees me,
The deaf hears me.
Who eats me dies.
13
When you discover me, I disappear.
When you share me, I weaken.
I win eternity in the death of my jailer
14
Soft and implacable master,
Whimsical and lascivious slave
I brighten dark skies
I darken judgment.
Blind who never cheats,
Instigator of major revolts
And loose dropouts.
I burst the sleeping heart,
But calms the wounded mind.
15
It is mine to the exclusion of any others.
I head forward to meet it every morning without yet knowing it.
It will catch me and impose itself one evening.
.oOo.
Is everything settled? Hast ourst honorable host guessed all these riddles?
If you write to us a review, you will be given the answers you got wrong.
.oOo.
Notes
1 Inspired by Sacha Guitry, about literary critics: « They know how we do it, but they cannot do it! »