Palidan and Quinn proceeded toward the wall. Technically, 'The Walls' would be the more appropriate sobriquet.  In 122 A.D. the Emperor Hadrian put forth the order for a 'Wall' to be built separating Scotland from the rest of the civilized world. Emperor Antonine did not think that was enough so he proceeded to have a second wall erected. By 150 A.D.  Agricola, Governor of Britain decided that the third wall would be the charm. Hadrian's Wall was smack dab in the middle of the three walls. Damned Picts.  Tattooed barbarians.

The Picts as well as their cohorts the Scots, were responsible for all sorts of mayhem and destruction. They had even worse teeth than the Angles (if that were even possible) and their skirts made them look kind of femmy. AND THE SMELL, my God (blesses himself). I mean usually it was just too damn cold to bathe, but still.

About a day's ride to their destination our three heroes came upon a dell covered in a deep fog. The four mammals were overcome with drowsiness and decided to make camp.  They had discovered an old Roman hearth and Quinn immediately left to scrounge for a little dinner while Palidan looked for some wood.  Quinn immediately found two plump geese lying right on the edge of the forest. Dead. But fresh. So without thinking about it, he gutted them right where he found them and brought home the dinner.

He also found some nice morels to complete the feast.

Palidan had started the fire and the two feasted whilst the equines grazed.  The fog should be an omen, but with this fine feast and the wine you smuggled in your saddle, this is a fine celebration indeed, remarked Palidan.

Sir Palidan, twas a strange find indeed. These two geese were freshly killed and I could fine no wounds. Yet the flesh was free from disease. An omen indeed Sir Knight but no harm and lots of fowl, HA!!!

Whether it was the fog or the morels or the geese, the duo quickly fell into a deep sleep. Their dreams were filled with fantasy. Palidan found himself in the dell with the fog almost misty with a yellow tinge from the rays of the early rising sun. The colors were magnificent as if he were in the middle of a grand rainbow.

Sir Lancelot appeared in a white toga and sandals. Palidan hailed the hero but received no response.  Strewn across the field were the dead bodies of deer and birds and smaller animals. This is wondrous, Palidan thought.

Lancelot seemed to glide over the grasses toward the fauna and as he passed over the bodies he reached down and touched them, softly.  The deer and the birds suddenly came to life and scattered toward the forest. Lancelot turned to Palidan and smiled.

You must cease your warlike tendencies, oh valiant Moor. The time for killing is over. The Lord has issued an edict and I am to deliver it to you.  Find a way to peace at The Wall. The Picts and the Scots are your brethren and the way to peace is through acceptance and conversation.  Speak with the leaders and attempt to stop the carnage.  After all, Shiteface is your brother, and he is a Scot.

With that Lancelot evaporated into the mist and the fog cleared.

Sir Tristan appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. He acknowledged the Moor with a wink and pulled out his lyre and began to sing:

You can see clearly now the fog is gone

You could see all the animals spring to life
Gone is the fog that clouded your stormy mind
We're  gonna work for peace, sweet peace
And stop all this war.

I think you can work it now, your anger's gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow you've been praying for
We're gonna work for peace, sweet peace
And stop all this war.

Look what you've found, here's hopin  for sanity
Look straight ahead, nothing but sanity

You can see clearly now, the fog is gone,
You just saw revived animals spring to life
Gone is the fog  that clouded your stormy mind
You  gonna seek nothing but peace, sweet peace
And stop all this war.

Just then a beautiful white dove alit upon Palidan's shoulder.

So? Whatya think? Asked the dove of peace.

With that Palidan awoke, refreshed.

Meanwhile, Quinn fell into his own deep sleep and dreamt dreams of valor.

He seemed to awaken to a great battle between the realm and the barbarians.  The kilted savages had surrounded Lancelot whilst the knight fought with extreme courage and fierceness.

Quinn ran with speed he had never felt before, arriving to slay a pict about to lodge a knife into Lancelot's back. Then, back to back with the greatest hero of lore, Quinn fought off the onslaught of the horde. He was armed with his great sword in the right hand and a mace in his left. Swinging the mace and hacking with his sword simultaneously. Quinn had never felt the spirit of battle come into his sinews in such a manner as this. 

This really beats the shite out of yelling at a drunken road crew, Quinn thought. The glory of war filled him with awe and wonder.

Suddenly a  barbarian came at the dynamic duo on horseback with a great spear. Quinn leaped into the air

avoiding the lance and struck the warrior in the back of his neck with the mace. A wonder to behold.

Laughing in the ecstasy of victory, feeling the power in the blood that he had spilt, Quinn continued to wage battle has he had always dreamt.  His manhood was filled with blood, erect in his knighthood. His loins cried out for more blood.

The battle continued like it would never stop.  The bodies were dropping all around him. Quinn, for the first time in his life felt no fear. He finally understood what bravery was, what it meant. There could be no greater pursuit. For King, for country, for his God. WHAT A RUSH!!!

He and Lancelot smote fifty of the warring savages and finally the battle was over.  Lancelot turned toward Quinn, and began to weep. My God, my god, why has thou forsaken me, he cried.

Quinn was totally confused when he heard a cry from a wounded fighter upon field.

Mac, Mac, is that you? cried the corpse.

Quinn looked down as the corpse writhed and squirmed in pain, bleeding profusely.  This is no pict, Quinn exclaimed.

The crying corpse was Quinn's cousin Emmett.

Quinn suddenly awoke in a sweat.  He felt the most extreme fear of his life after just experiencing the greatest thrill of battle with the greatest knight of all time. He sat up.

Relief. My God. It was a dream. 

Palidan had awoken at the same time. He turned to Quinn. I just had the most miraculous dream Sir Quinn.  I saw the great Lancelot and Sir Tristan.  I was given a great message. We must strive for peace at The Wall.

Quinn was amazed.  I was given a message. The same message.  But why are you so refreshed while I am in a deep sweat?

The two commisurated  for awhile, sharing their visions.

The two knights swore to each other and to Our Lord and Savior, Jesu Christe to fight for a peace. (Blesses himself).

WE HEREBY EMBARK UPON A NEW QUEST. THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN OUR TIME!!!

I had the most wonderful dream. Of my one and only true love. Thought Eduardo.  A real night mare!!!