Friends like these: Part One

            “Sir we have traveled for many miles to seek your legendary knowledge of medicine to ask you for a request,” said a Knight dressed in bright yellow armor.

            “I’m listening, but I warn you I can barely hear you over your armor,” replied

Dark Francis from his stone chair in the great hall, a stocky white calico cat purring softly in his lap as he absentmindedly rubbed her ears. “Be quick about it, or Molly here will roast you where you stand.” The cat gave a snorting little sneeze and expelled a small cloud of black smoke.  

            “We ask that you journey with us to our land to treat our lord,” said the Knight.

            “What plagues him?” asked Dark Francis.

            “A witch angered by my Lords ruling in a land dispute callously and pettily put a spell on our lord. He now has the skin of a lizard and is repulsive to look upon,” said the Knight.

            “Why don’t you get the witch to reverse the spell?” asked Dark Francis.

            “We hanged her sir,” replied the Knight.

            “Ah, now you want me to fix the problem?” asked Dark Francis.

            “Yes sir,” said the Knight.

            “Well as much as I’d like to hang out with a bunch of knights pretending to be the sun to help out your lord, but I think I’m going to have to pass,” Dark Francis said.

            “Won’t you reconsider our request,” the knight said, as a squire produced a small chest from his knapsack and opened it to reveal that it was full of precious stones.

            “When can we leave,” Dark Francis replied.

To be continued…