Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4876869" data-attributes="member: 3285">Castle Ambrose: Part 9a – The Green RoomKham skidded into yet another colored room, this one painted green.  An emerald-colored carpet covered the floor. The scent of sandlewood, roses and musk filled the room. A giant man stood in the center of the room. His body was brawny as any can be, so bull-necked, big-thighed, bulky and square, so long-legged, large-limbed, looming so tall.  Kham wasn’t sure if he was half-troll or merely as large as living man could be -- a handsome one too“Don’t tell me,” said Kham. “This is the green room.”The giant was dressed in green from head to toe: a tunic worn tight, tucked to his ribs; and a rich cloak cast over it, covered inside with a fine fur lining, fitted and sewn with ermine trim that stood out in contrast from his hair where his hood lay folded flat; and handsome hose of the same green hue which clung to his calves, with clustered spurs of bright gold; beneath them striped embroidered silk above his bare shanks. His clothes were all kindled with a clear light like emeralds: His belt buckles sparkled, and bright stones were set in rich rows arranged up and down himself. Worked in the silk were too many trifles to tell the half of: embroidered birds, butterflies, and other things in a gaudy glory of green and inlaid gold. "It is not my purpose to pass any time in this place,” said the green knight. “But I have been told that this court and castle are accounted the finest. True knighthood is known here, or so the tale runs, which is why I am here.”“I think you’ve got the wrong guy,” said Kham.  “I’m no knight.  And from the looks of it, neither are you.”The hair on the giant’s head fanned out freely enfolding his shoulders, and his beard hung below as big as a bush, all mixed with the marvelous mane on his head, which was cut off in curls cascading to his elbows, wrapping round the rest of him like a king's cape clasped to his neck.“You may be sure by this branch that I bear that I come in peace, with no plans for battle. I have a hauberk at home, and a helmet too, and other weapons I know well how to wield. Yet as war is not my wish I am wearing soft silk, but, if you wish to pass, you will be glad to grant me the game that is mine by right."The giant held in one hand a sprig of holly that bursts out greenest when branches are bare; and his other hand hefted a huge and awful axe, a broad battleaxe with a bit to tell with a large head four feet long: the green steel down the grain etched with gold, its broad edge burnished and bright, shaped razor-sharp to sheer through steel, and held high on a heavy staff which was bound at the base with iron bands gracefully engraved in bright green patterns. A strap was strung through the steel head, running loop after loop down the length of the handle, which was tied with tassels in abundance, attaching by rich braids onto bright green buttons.Kham looked over his shoulder.  “I really don’t have time…”"Do you have what it takes," said the giant, "to stand your ground, giving stroke for stroke? Here! I shall give you this gilded blade as my gift; this heavy axe shall be yours, to handle as you like, and I shall stand here bare of armor, and brave the first blow.”Kham swigged a potion and disappeared.  “How about you deal with him first, courtesy of the white room.”The green giant looked surprised as a white, multi-limbed lizard slithered in from the adjacent room.</blockquote>

Verification