Discrimination

"I would think that you would be the most outraged, Genghis, considering the history of your race." The Bishop noted as we stood outside the doorway, staring at the offending signage.

"I've learned to expect as much," I replied. "Besides, The Private seems to not mind staying here at the gate, as long as she can have a drop to quench her thirst."

"Perhaps we should point out that their own children pose more of a health risk than our good comrade at arms? Maybe that will lead them to reason."

"True, but I think it will be useless -- prejudice knows no reason."

The Hump's Hammer

I was glad to see The Earl of Humphrey ride up on his powerful black steed. The Bishop and The Lizard, after years of negotiations with several generations of leadership from the neighboring land, had arranged for the destruction of The Dead and Dangerous Trees. Now all that was left to rid our lands of the foul stench and fetid waters which had stagnated in our realm, was the demolition of the fortress-dam the undead flora had erected.



"You're arrival is timely, Hump. I'm in need of your power and strength!"



"No worries," The Earl replied, "I'll just need a implement to begin our work."



I placed the ancient hammer in his hands. He looked at the weapon, smiled and swung it high above his head.



Stone, wood and rock splintered under his mighty assault. Water and mud splashed high in great geysers as the debris fell. The locals moved for cover, but peered backed from safety at the mighty titan.



When The Bishop insisted he wear a visor to protect him from the shrapnel, I spelled my friend, concentrating on some particularly stubborn areas of the dam.



From both our efforts, slowly the fortress began to give way. And when, at last, one portion of the wall remained standing, The Hump delivered a final, deafening blow. The sundered fortress allowed the waters to flow. But I looked into The Earl's hands and realized the victory had a cost: the ancient hammer had broken under The Hump's mighty strength!



He gazed upon the two pieces that remained of his weapon and declared, "This good tool deserves a place of honor."



"It certainly does," The Bishop remarked, and added, "As do you... at our table for such fine service to our cause!"



This made both our spirits rise, and we ambled off to reap our victual rewards.

Sisters of the Shinai

"They used what?" The Bishop seemed perplexed.

"A shinai. It's a practice sword."

"Yes, Genghis, I know what it is," he replied, "I was talking about the other 'weapon'. It seems so... strange."

"Well, apparently The Donut found the doors to her inner keep ajar. Quite concerned that a band of brigands had broken into her abode, she summoned The Lizard."

"Prudent, and I'm sure that the shinai was chosen as a weapon of opportunity," The Bishop said, then added, " but what were they going to do with that door to a dog crate?"

The Dharma Flute

The Bishop was intrigued, and questioned our server: "What wonderful tones, is it a bass flute?"

"Yes, it's twice as long as a normal flute," was the reply.

"I think I need to meet this fellow with an extra long flute ," I informed the table, adding, "to compare notes." I then pulled on my glass of Turkish pilsner, cooly ignoring both the glare of The Bishop, and the laughter of The Lizard.