It was a cold, and stormy night ...
- Thread starter Contratrombone64
- Start date
greatcyber
New member
"Studied, indeed. I should think not. Why, I have no intention of being anyone's science experiment."
"Agreed" said the bear and cat in unison. "Why don't we show up there and study him?"
They all shared a common laugh at the thought. Since Mrs. Bush had just finished reading "The DaVinci Code" not long ago, she was more than excited to see the Louvre. "Let's just hope that no murders occur whilst we are there!"
"Ditto."
They all had a wonderful sleep and awoke refreshed in the morning. "Mama B, may we please go and see the Arc d'Triumph after the Louvre?" "Well, certainly dear," she said to the little bear.
(an aside: I used to have a wonderful Russian Blue cat named Little Bear (and his brother, Lamb Chop) that lived with me from 6 weeks old, actually he was born in our home and he lived 17 years and his brother lived 18 years. This is making me think of him :sniff sniff
"Agreed" said the bear and cat in unison. "Why don't we show up there and study him?"
They all shared a common laugh at the thought. Since Mrs. Bush had just finished reading "The DaVinci Code" not long ago, she was more than excited to see the Louvre. "Let's just hope that no murders occur whilst we are there!"
"Ditto."
They all had a wonderful sleep and awoke refreshed in the morning. "Mama B, may we please go and see the Arc d'Triumph after the Louvre?" "Well, certainly dear," she said to the little bear.
(an aside: I used to have a wonderful Russian Blue cat named Little Bear (and his brother, Lamb Chop) that lived with me from 6 weeks old, actually he was born in our home and he lived 17 years and his brother lived 18 years. This is making me think of him :sniff sniff
marval
New member
The woman, little bear and the cat all had coissants for breakfast, and some coffee.
Then they headed off to the louvre, it was a very interesting morning. The woman particularly like the Mona Lisa, she wondered if she looked like her. After the louvre they went ot see the Arc d'triumph. Wow said little bear, what an amazing sight. Soon it was time for lunch.
After lunch the cat declared that he would like to visit the Moulin Rouge, that evening.
Then they headed off to the louvre, it was a very interesting morning. The woman particularly like the Mona Lisa, she wondered if she looked like her. After the louvre they went ot see the Arc d'triumph. Wow said little bear, what an amazing sight. Soon it was time for lunch.
After lunch the cat declared that he would like to visit the Moulin Rouge, that evening.
greatcyber
New member
"It would be so interesting to see the Can Can being performed!"
Mrs. Bush asked the pair if they wanted to take a nap to rest up for the evening ahead. Both declined, instead opting to explore some of the seemingly hundreds of buildings that had been turned into museums.
"I wish we had gotten an earlier start. That way we could have visited Versailles today. But, since it is about a half hour ride on the train and I'm sure we will want to spend the entire day there, let's go there tomorrow," said the bear.
"Oh, this antique store looks lovely! Let's just go in and have a look around," commented Mrs. Bush.
(Margaret, why did you have to name the poor lady "Bush"...? What a HORRIBLE name.)
Inside, a kindly older gentleman with a certain grace about him greeted the trio.
"Bon jour, mesudame, et bienvenue."
"Bon jour. Parlez vous l'anglais?" "Of course, madame. Is there something in particular you are looking for?"
"No, we were just passing by and your charming shoppe seemed to beckon to me to come inside. I absolutely love antiques."
"Please feel free to look around. Ask any questions you desire, some of my items have quite a provenance."
Sitting on a writing table were stacks of old manuscripts. Picking one up, Mrs. B read the title aloud. "Mon Frere, Ou Est Vous?" Having lost her father at a very young age and not having much information about him, she was intrigued. Also on the table was a small carved box with a design inlaid with lapis lazuli. It was meticously crafted. Mrs. B lifted the lid on the box to reveal an amber cabachon about the size of a silver dollar. She gently extracted it from it's resting place and examined it very closely. It seemed to her that there was a shape inside that she could not quite identify. Then she noticed a small piece of silk that was inside the depression that held the amber piece in place in the box.
"Pardon, monsieur, but can you tell me anything about this piece of amber? There is a curious shape inside but I cannot quite make out what it is."
With a wistful smile the man came over to her side. "This is a very ancient talisman. From the time of the Knights Templar."
"And what is this piece of silk?"
"The amber was wrapped in that when I found the box at an estate sale. It was from a very noble gentleman's collection. I'm afraid that is all I know of it."
As she held the stone in her hand it felt warm and even with her poor eyesight, a soft glow seemed to be coming from within. Compelled she decided to purchase it. She thanked the shoppe keeper and called to the bear and cat who were playing with old wind up toys. "Come on now. I really think we should have a little nap before dinner so lets make our way back to the gite."
After a short walk they were back at their quaint inn. The animals brushed their teeth and crawled into bed while Mrs. B extracted her purchase from her purse. It seemed that the amber was glowing even brighter than before as she held it close to her eyes to peer inside. "I wonder what is that inside there." Thinking that perhaps she might get a better look if she cleaned the stone, she withdrew the small piece of silk and started to rub the amber. As she rubbed the stone it shone brighter and brighter.
All at once, the room grew dark and then with a burst of light, a man dressed in what appeared to be Knight Templar costume appeared next to her.
"Madame, I am at your service as you have released me from my prison within the stone."
Mrs. Bush asked the pair if they wanted to take a nap to rest up for the evening ahead. Both declined, instead opting to explore some of the seemingly hundreds of buildings that had been turned into museums.
"I wish we had gotten an earlier start. That way we could have visited Versailles today. But, since it is about a half hour ride on the train and I'm sure we will want to spend the entire day there, let's go there tomorrow," said the bear.
"Oh, this antique store looks lovely! Let's just go in and have a look around," commented Mrs. Bush.
(Margaret, why did you have to name the poor lady "Bush"...? What a HORRIBLE name.)
Inside, a kindly older gentleman with a certain grace about him greeted the trio.
"Bon jour, mesudame, et bienvenue."
"Bon jour. Parlez vous l'anglais?" "Of course, madame. Is there something in particular you are looking for?"
"No, we were just passing by and your charming shoppe seemed to beckon to me to come inside. I absolutely love antiques."
"Please feel free to look around. Ask any questions you desire, some of my items have quite a provenance."
Sitting on a writing table were stacks of old manuscripts. Picking one up, Mrs. B read the title aloud. "Mon Frere, Ou Est Vous?" Having lost her father at a very young age and not having much information about him, she was intrigued. Also on the table was a small carved box with a design inlaid with lapis lazuli. It was meticously crafted. Mrs. B lifted the lid on the box to reveal an amber cabachon about the size of a silver dollar. She gently extracted it from it's resting place and examined it very closely. It seemed to her that there was a shape inside that she could not quite identify. Then she noticed a small piece of silk that was inside the depression that held the amber piece in place in the box.
"Pardon, monsieur, but can you tell me anything about this piece of amber? There is a curious shape inside but I cannot quite make out what it is."
With a wistful smile the man came over to her side. "This is a very ancient talisman. From the time of the Knights Templar."
"And what is this piece of silk?"
"The amber was wrapped in that when I found the box at an estate sale. It was from a very noble gentleman's collection. I'm afraid that is all I know of it."
As she held the stone in her hand it felt warm and even with her poor eyesight, a soft glow seemed to be coming from within. Compelled she decided to purchase it. She thanked the shoppe keeper and called to the bear and cat who were playing with old wind up toys. "Come on now. I really think we should have a little nap before dinner so lets make our way back to the gite."
After a short walk they were back at their quaint inn. The animals brushed their teeth and crawled into bed while Mrs. B extracted her purchase from her purse. It seemed that the amber was glowing even brighter than before as she held it close to her eyes to peer inside. "I wonder what is that inside there." Thinking that perhaps she might get a better look if she cleaned the stone, she withdrew the small piece of silk and started to rub the amber. As she rubbed the stone it shone brighter and brighter.
All at once, the room grew dark and then with a burst of light, a man dressed in what appeared to be Knight Templar costume appeared next to her.
"Madame, I am at your service as you have released me from my prison within the stone."
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greatcyber
New member
Margaret, I just re-read the preceeding page and...Oops, my bad! Okay then let's call her Mrs. Beasley.
Stephen
(you have a much better memory than I do)
Stephen
(you have a much better memory than I do)
Last edited:
marval
New member
Mrs B nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Who are you?" she asked. "I am Sir Francois, the unknown Knight Templer. Many, many years ago, when I was saving the christians, something dreadful happened. We arrived home, it was the year 1314 and our last grand master was burned at the stake. But I escaped into some woods, where I was held up by a highwayman. He demanded my box with the amber in it, but I refused and he put a curse on me."
"But what is so special about this particular amber?" Mrs. B asked. "Well", said Sir Francois...
Here is a drawing of Sir Francois and two friends.
"Who are you?" she asked. "I am Sir Francois, the unknown Knight Templer. Many, many years ago, when I was saving the christians, something dreadful happened. We arrived home, it was the year 1314 and our last grand master was burned at the stake. But I escaped into some woods, where I was held up by a highwayman. He demanded my box with the amber in it, but I refused and he put a curse on me."
"But what is so special about this particular amber?" Mrs. B asked. "Well", said Sir Francois...
greatcyber
New member
"Well, it was placed in my charge when we were protecting Jerusalem. At the time it was maintained in the Great Temple and was rumored to be a teardrop that was shed by Christ as He hung on the cross. Apparently, it fell to the ground just as He struggled to maintain his faith in His Father. My father was one of the faithful who had assembled near the mount on the fateful day. As Christ called out that he was hungry and thirsty and a member of the Roman Guard dipped a sponge in bitter vinegar and placed the sponge on the tip of his spear and held it to the lips of Jesus of Nazaruth."
"It was then that Jesus cast his eyes up towards the heavens and beseached why he had been foresaken. A single tear welled up and fell from his eye and landed before my father. It was then that Christ said, It is finished and his head fell limp across his dead body. My father quickly snatched up the tear which had turned to amber and tenderly wrapped it in a piece of silk that a Syrian merchant gave to him."
"My father kept the tear carefully guarded in the Temple until the building was destroyed. He and his friends founded our Order to defend the Holy Land and guard its treasures and mysteries."
"Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques, and building many fortifications throughout the Mediterranean and the Holy Land. The Templars' success was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, began pressuring Pope Clement V to take action against the Order. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake. In 1312, Pope Clement, under continuing pressure from King Philip, disbanded the Order."
"It has been my charge ever since my father's death to guard this priceless relic. When Jerusalem was being burned and looted fellow knights took the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy Grail to different lands for safe-keeping. I took the amber to France but on the way I was accosted by robbers who demanded that I give them the stone. They had no idea what it was or of it's importance to mankind. When I refused to turn it over to them, they placed a curse on me and imprisoned me within the amber. That was so many years ago. I knew God would release me from within the stone one day when a women with a pure heart came into contact with it. And I have remained therein until this very moment; you are that woman! But now we must act...may I enquire what year of our Lord is this?"
"It is the second millenium, the year is 2008."
(the plot thickens)
"It was then that Jesus cast his eyes up towards the heavens and beseached why he had been foresaken. A single tear welled up and fell from his eye and landed before my father. It was then that Christ said, It is finished and his head fell limp across his dead body. My father quickly snatched up the tear which had turned to amber and tenderly wrapped it in a piece of silk that a Syrian merchant gave to him."
"My father kept the tear carefully guarded in the Temple until the building was destroyed. He and his friends founded our Order to defend the Holy Land and guard its treasures and mysteries."
"Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques, and building many fortifications throughout the Mediterranean and the Holy Land. The Templars' success was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, began pressuring Pope Clement V to take action against the Order. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake. In 1312, Pope Clement, under continuing pressure from King Philip, disbanded the Order."
"It has been my charge ever since my father's death to guard this priceless relic. When Jerusalem was being burned and looted fellow knights took the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy Grail to different lands for safe-keeping. I took the amber to France but on the way I was accosted by robbers who demanded that I give them the stone. They had no idea what it was or of it's importance to mankind. When I refused to turn it over to them, they placed a curse on me and imprisoned me within the amber. That was so many years ago. I knew God would release me from within the stone one day when a women with a pure heart came into contact with it. And I have remained therein until this very moment; you are that woman! But now we must act...may I enquire what year of our Lord is this?"
"It is the second millenium, the year is 2008."
(the plot thickens)
greatcyber
New member
somebody else's turn now.
greatcyber
New member
Okay, I guess it isn't! Then, here goes:
"The second millenium, you say?"
"Indeed."
"Pray tell me, where are we?"
"We happen to be in Paris. I was in a shoppe that sells antiques and found a box that contained the amber that held you inside. I don't know why but for some reason I felt drawn to purchase that box. It was a feeling inside. Oh, dear me, where are my manners? I'm Mrs. Beasley and these are my friends; this is Little Bear and this mischievous one is Tad. He is a magical Siamese cat. I know it sound absurd, but it is absolutely true!"
"You say you felt compelled, Madame? Perhaps then it is you who has been foretold. The one that will guide me on my quest!"
"Quest? Didn't you say that you were the protector of the Holy Grail?"
"That is correct. It is my solemn duty. And if this cat is magic as you say then perhaps fate has delivered me into your hands. We must make plans with all due haste."
"Oh, my," she exclaimed. "I really don't know about any of that."
"Madame, apparently the stars have aligned precisely for this very reason. My charge is an oath I swore upon in the Holy Temple. You MUST help. Tell me, is this bear magical, too?"
"Well...er, yes."
"Then it is settled. We leave at once. There is a secret spot within the catacombs known only to the Templars."
(Come on Margaret, run with it)
"The second millenium, you say?"
"Indeed."
"Pray tell me, where are we?"
"We happen to be in Paris. I was in a shoppe that sells antiques and found a box that contained the amber that held you inside. I don't know why but for some reason I felt drawn to purchase that box. It was a feeling inside. Oh, dear me, where are my manners? I'm Mrs. Beasley and these are my friends; this is Little Bear and this mischievous one is Tad. He is a magical Siamese cat. I know it sound absurd, but it is absolutely true!"
"You say you felt compelled, Madame? Perhaps then it is you who has been foretold. The one that will guide me on my quest!"
"Quest? Didn't you say that you were the protector of the Holy Grail?"
"That is correct. It is my solemn duty. And if this cat is magic as you say then perhaps fate has delivered me into your hands. We must make plans with all due haste."
"Oh, my," she exclaimed. "I really don't know about any of that."
"Madame, apparently the stars have aligned precisely for this very reason. My charge is an oath I swore upon in the Holy Temple. You MUST help. Tell me, is this bear magical, too?"
"Well...er, yes."
"Then it is settled. We leave at once. There is a secret spot within the catacombs known only to the Templars."
(Come on Margaret, run with it)
marval
New member
Ok Stephen I'm running.
Mrs Beasley, Little bear and Tad followed Sir Francois. Little Bear didn't know that he was magical too. "We have to get to Jerusalem, I need to know if it has been rebuilt." "yes," said Mrs Beasley, "Jerusalem is a very big city now, how will we know if the temple is still there? I suppose that we will just have to look when we get there." St. Francois was very keen to get going. "Where are your horses?" he asked, "you will need them for the journey."
"No, we will fly," said Mrs Beasley. " Of course, you have never flown before have you?" "Only birds fly," said Sir Francois.
Mrs Beasley, Little bear and Tad followed Sir Francois. Little Bear didn't know that he was magical too. "We have to get to Jerusalem, I need to know if it has been rebuilt." "yes," said Mrs Beasley, "Jerusalem is a very big city now, how will we know if the temple is still there? I suppose that we will just have to look when we get there." St. Francois was very keen to get going. "Where are your horses?" he asked, "you will need them for the journey."
"No, we will fly," said Mrs Beasley. " Of course, you have never flown before have you?" "Only birds fly," said Sir Francois.
Contratrombone64
Admiral of Fugues
I've created a monster ...
greatcyber
New member
greatcyber
New member
"In this day and age people routinely fly from one part of the world to another." Mrs. Beasley said to Sir Francois. "Indeed?" "It's quite common, actually. But you wouldn't have a passport so it would be impossible to get into Israel. I have it! We shall take the Tardis."
"First we must visit la Rue de la Sacre Sanguin. There is a secret entrance to the catacombs where something very valuable is hidden. It will aid us greatly once we arrive in Jerusalem."
"Well then, let's hop into a taxi and go there."
The group headed off to the boulevard to hail a cab. Sir Francois marveled at the the sights and sounds of the 21st century. When he saw the Eiffel Tower he could not believe his eyes. "Why it reaches to the heavens!" "Almost." Mrs. Beasley watched the wonderment in the knight's eyes as they sped down the road.
The driver pulled over in a rather remote area in a charming quay. When he saw that he wasn't getting a big tip he muttered something under his breath and the tires screeched as he pulled away from the curb. Little Bear fell out of the taxi with the sudden movement but was only shaken, (not stirred) and everyone was relieved he was not hurt.
"What a rude man," said Mrs. Beasley. Sir Francois wanted to go after the man and teach him some respect. "That won't be necessary, dear." She nodded to the cat who disappeared into thin air and reappeared next to the drivers feet in the cab. He swiped the driver repeatedly with his claws until the man's trouser legs were in tatters. Then he gave another good rake across one leg, just for good measure and poof, he was gone as quickly as he had come. He materialized back with the group.
"Most intriguing. Now we must find the statue of a lion. There will be an entrance under him." And off they went to search for the statue. The cat disappeared again and the group continued on. Moments later he was back and announced that he had located the statue. It was only a few blocks to the West.
After arriving at the great statue, the knight knelt down and moved his hands over the stone carvings of the large plinth the statue sat upon. "Here it is." He pushed a series of letters and the statue slided to one side revealing a stone staircase leading down into the catacombs. A torch still hung on the wall just insdie the doorway. Sir Francois lifted it out of it's holder and looked around for a flint. The cat snapped ihis paw and a flame arose from the torch. They headed down into the musty interior.
"Gives me the willies, it does," said Mrs. Beasley. "Nothing to fear, Madame. Just follow me." Further down they went until they came upon a wall that had many arched spaces that were plastered over. From the markings on the plaster, they obviously contained corpses. One space had a large elongated cross on it. "This is the one." The knight looked about for another torch. When he found one he used it to hammer away at the plaster seal. Inside lay a sword and an iron box. When opened it revealed a small gold box inside. Sir Francois retrieved the gold box but did not open it. He quickly placed it in a leather pouch that hung from his belt. Then he withdrew the sword and placed it through a metal ring on attached to his belt.
"Is that it then?" "Oui, Madame. We may take our leave now."
Once back on the street, Sir F pushed the lion back into place and covered the entrance completely. "Now Madame, how do we reach Jerusalem?" "Follow us." And they headed off to the Tardis.
In the blink of an eye they were standing outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. It just so happened that a group of pilgrims was walking through the gate near where they stood. "Help us out now, Sweetie." The cat waved his paw and everyone was dressed in black robes and had their heads covered. They joined the group and entered into Jerusalem with them.
"First we must visit la Rue de la Sacre Sanguin. There is a secret entrance to the catacombs where something very valuable is hidden. It will aid us greatly once we arrive in Jerusalem."
"Well then, let's hop into a taxi and go there."
The group headed off to the boulevard to hail a cab. Sir Francois marveled at the the sights and sounds of the 21st century. When he saw the Eiffel Tower he could not believe his eyes. "Why it reaches to the heavens!" "Almost." Mrs. Beasley watched the wonderment in the knight's eyes as they sped down the road.
The driver pulled over in a rather remote area in a charming quay. When he saw that he wasn't getting a big tip he muttered something under his breath and the tires screeched as he pulled away from the curb. Little Bear fell out of the taxi with the sudden movement but was only shaken, (not stirred) and everyone was relieved he was not hurt.
"What a rude man," said Mrs. Beasley. Sir Francois wanted to go after the man and teach him some respect. "That won't be necessary, dear." She nodded to the cat who disappeared into thin air and reappeared next to the drivers feet in the cab. He swiped the driver repeatedly with his claws until the man's trouser legs were in tatters. Then he gave another good rake across one leg, just for good measure and poof, he was gone as quickly as he had come. He materialized back with the group.
"Most intriguing. Now we must find the statue of a lion. There will be an entrance under him." And off they went to search for the statue. The cat disappeared again and the group continued on. Moments later he was back and announced that he had located the statue. It was only a few blocks to the West.
After arriving at the great statue, the knight knelt down and moved his hands over the stone carvings of the large plinth the statue sat upon. "Here it is." He pushed a series of letters and the statue slided to one side revealing a stone staircase leading down into the catacombs. A torch still hung on the wall just insdie the doorway. Sir Francois lifted it out of it's holder and looked around for a flint. The cat snapped ihis paw and a flame arose from the torch. They headed down into the musty interior.
"Gives me the willies, it does," said Mrs. Beasley. "Nothing to fear, Madame. Just follow me." Further down they went until they came upon a wall that had many arched spaces that were plastered over. From the markings on the plaster, they obviously contained corpses. One space had a large elongated cross on it. "This is the one." The knight looked about for another torch. When he found one he used it to hammer away at the plaster seal. Inside lay a sword and an iron box. When opened it revealed a small gold box inside. Sir Francois retrieved the gold box but did not open it. He quickly placed it in a leather pouch that hung from his belt. Then he withdrew the sword and placed it through a metal ring on attached to his belt.
"Is that it then?" "Oui, Madame. We may take our leave now."
Once back on the street, Sir F pushed the lion back into place and covered the entrance completely. "Now Madame, how do we reach Jerusalem?" "Follow us." And they headed off to the Tardis.
In the blink of an eye they were standing outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. It just so happened that a group of pilgrims was walking through the gate near where they stood. "Help us out now, Sweetie." The cat waved his paw and everyone was dressed in black robes and had their heads covered. They joined the group and entered into Jerusalem with them.
marval
New member
Sir Francois was amazed at what he had witnessed. It was like a dream. "Now, we must locate where the holy temple is, or where it was, because we don't know if it still here," said Mrs Beasley. Suddenly they heard a shout, "Francois, is that you?" They all looked around in amazement. "Father," said Sir Francois, "how can it be, you were killed all those years ago." "It is a long story, but first we have work to do," he said. (to be continued)
Contratrombone64
Admiral of Fugues
All of a sudden, there was a huge act of god and they were suddenly transported BACK to New England where out story stared. Sir Francois, the cat, and sundry other characters were most definiately out of place in 21st century New England. The Tardis, was not damaged in the act of god either (I'd forgotten about the Tardis). They hid in the Tardis thinking about their mind boggling adventure and what was next for them, afterall, if it hadn't been for that tenacious apple pie (or was that cherry?) they'd none of 'em have ended up in this mess.
greatcyber
New member
CT, is a Tardis the sort of thing in Dr. Who for time travel? Sorta guessed that it is.
Stephen
Stephen
marval
New member
Yes it was an apple pie.
So back to New England it is.
Mrs Beasley gave a yawn and stretched, "Oh what a dream I had," she said. Just then there was a knock on her bedroom door. "Are you decent?" called out the cat. "I have brought you a cup of tea, and you know I don't like to see you in your birthday suit, you have grown since you first wore that." "It's alright," she said," you can come in, I'm wearing my pink floral nightie." The cat smiled, (See below) he had seen her pink floral nightie before.
"Here is your tea," he said, "and you won't believe the dream I had."
So back to New England it is.
Mrs Beasley gave a yawn and stretched, "Oh what a dream I had," she said. Just then there was a knock on her bedroom door. "Are you decent?" called out the cat. "I have brought you a cup of tea, and you know I don't like to see you in your birthday suit, you have grown since you first wore that." "It's alright," she said," you can come in, I'm wearing my pink floral nightie." The cat smiled, (See below) he had seen her pink floral nightie before.
"Here is your tea," he said, "and you won't believe the dream I had."