TEN
"First thing's first Frego." said Treguard as he turned to the screen in his antechamber. "Lord Fear, if you hear me, it is time for the greater game to begin once again...." The face of Lord Fear appeared, alongside Lissard.
"Ten years of waiting and now you're finally going to pay!" smirked Fear. "The Opposition are ready for the kidsies, as Lissard calls them, I just hope that the Powers That Be are ready for us."
"We're ready for you, Lord Fear." insisted Treguard, as communication between the two drew to a close. "The time is now for the first quest in ten years to begin."
Then the antechamber temporarily went quiet for a couple of seconds.
"Frego, bring me my staff." said Treguard. "It's time to summon up our team." Frego went to a pile of items lying in the corner of the antechamber, before seeing what looked like to be the staff.
"Here you are, master." said Frego, handing the staff to Treguard.
"Thank you, took you long enough didn't it?" replied Treguard rather impatiently, before heading to the antechamber entrance. "Never mind that now, I think that our intrepid team of youngsters are ready to take on the challenge." He raised the staff, then as he slammed it back down, he uttered those immortal words:
"ENTER, STRANGER!"
With a flash of lightning, four youngsters from the present day appeared in front of Frego and Treguard.
"Greetings, I trust you all had a safe journey." said Treguard. "Now, who are representing the Powers That Be in the dungeon?!
"My name is Nigel, and I am the dungeoneer."
"I'm Duane, the team captain."
"Hi, I'm Terry, and I'm guiding our dungeoneer."
"And I'm Andy, our spellcaster."
"Good to have you all here!" insisted Treguard. "Now, as you are the first team to undertake a quest in ten years, the nature of yours is not yet known. However, I can tell you this - as you are on the side of the Powers That Be, your main goal is for truth and justice, therefore you should attempt to remain true to them. Are you ready to take on the challenge?" The four youngsters nodded.
"Excellent. Duane, Terry and Andy, the pool of veracity still remains with us, and his is where you will be guiding our dungeoneer." The three of them walked over to the pool.
"Nigel, providing Frego can get a move on, we shall get you equipped." Frego hurriedly went over to the corner of the antechamber to retrieve the Eyeshield, knapsack, and of course, the Helmet of Justice. Treguard took the items off him before returning to Nigel.
"This is the Eyeshield, which will help us see any paths you may walk along. And here is the knapsack, which should only be used for putting food into so that your energy may be restored. Finally, the helmet. You know, that as you progress through the dungeon, that you must remain blindfolded from the way ahead."
"Yes, I do." replied Nigel.
"In that case," said Treguardas he put the Helmet of Justice on Nigel's head, "it is time for your team to begin your quest. Nigel, turn to face the dungeoneer. Your advisors will be keeping watch on you through the pool. The Knightmare dungeon now awaits, so step boldly forward...."