Flashback
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 86662
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"Look, Dad!" Fred says. "Whats that dark cloud over there? Its not the
storm is it?"
Looking over the backs of the four horses that pull the cart, Freds father squints, then says, "Riders. Lots of them and coming fast." "Are they bandits, Paul?" asks Freds mother fearfully, clutching her shawl to her throat. "No, Martha. They can't be bandits. The Dwarven Guard cleaned up the last of them ten years ago." says Freds father, "I don't know who they are but the way they're riding we"ll soon find out." Freds father turns to Fred and says "Grab that puppy of yours and get under cover in that pile of bedclothes." Fred whines "But I want to stay here. If theres trouble, I can help too!" "Do as your father says", snaps Freds mother, "And don't come out till we say its safe!" Fred knows better than to argue with his mother, so Fred gets off the narrow wooden seat and wriggles through the crowded cart. "Well, no one said I couldn't watch", Fred whispers to Woofy, the puppy licking Freds face in reply. Snuggling down into the pile of blankets, Fred quiets the puppy, who thinks Fred is trying to play. Then Fred arranges the blankets so that he can see. Soon, a faint rumble becomes the drumming thunder of horses hoofs. "HOLD YOUR TEAM!" demands a harsh voice. "Oh Paul", cries Freds mother, "Its the Guard! Thank Heavens we're safe!" Pulling the team to a complete stop, Freds father calls "HO! GUARD! What is your business with us? We are anxious to camp before the storm breaks. Speak, and let us be on our way." "Do you dare speak so to the Kings Guard?" snarls a menacing voice. "Teach the humans to be polite!" urges another of the uniformed dwarves. Freds mother clings to her husbands arm. Rain begins to fall. All around Fred are the sounds of horses. Saddle leather creaks beneath the weight of the armored Dwarven Guard, and Fred feels the presence of unseen riders closing in. "Now, now, lads. Is this any way to speak to those we have vowed to protect?" asks a dead calm voice. "Come, let us not be hasty. Lets find out how the situation lies. After all, lads, we wouldn't want to make a mistake now, would we?" There is a long moment of silence. Then a few voices mutter "Sneeds right." "Well, then, here we all are." says Sneed. "Surely all a mistake. But these are lads with quick tempers, so please humor us by answering a few questions." "I'm sure we've done no wrong", says Freds mother, "What do you want to know?" "Just a few questions", says Sneed. "Like where you've been and where you're going." Freds mother says "Why, Captain, we"re going to the princes coronation, of course.And as to where we've been, we've been mapping. My husband is the royal mapmaker." Sneed exclaims "Royal mapmaker, ay? Splendid occupation. So useful. And are you two traveling alone?" Freds father answers quickly, "Yes, Captain, quite alone. Just me and the missus." "All by yourselves", Sneed replies, "Splendid, just splendid. You see, lads, what comes of talking first? Now we know they are alone. Seize them!" Before Freds father can protest, heavy hands pull him and his wife from the cart. Freds mother screams and Freds father curses, but rough laughter drowns out their cries. Sneed speaks, "You see, lads? It is as I told you. Who would suspect the kings own Dwarven Guard of treachery? No one, until its far too late. Soon, all that is owed to us for long years of protecting humans will be ours. Now, tie these two up. We"ll take them back to the caves. A mapmaker will be useful to our new kingdom." Sneed continues, "Soon we will launch our attack. With the prince in our hands, the kingdom is ours! Drive the wagon into the rocks and search it for gold and maps. Then BURN IT!" Hidden in the wagon, Fred hears Sneeds order and know that he has three choices...
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sneakypreacher
5/25/2009 10:22:18 PM
21465943 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.