The Sphinx returned to the bartisan above the great gates to parlez with the Darkest Knight.
The Council has convened, and you will be in the knowing of your fate this very morning soon, the Sphinx told the Knight. In the mean, I would have great interest of the design of your armour. I myself was present at the forge when Achilles’s shield was encouraged and therefore consider myself a scholar in such niceties of art.
Interesting that you should mention Achilles, as he is my hero, said the Darkest Knight, I shall then describe to you, as a mere outline, the layers of decoration about my figure. By the way, if your council cannot give answer before the fourth bell, I will release the bindings on my trebuchets and your city with be pelted with something that you will not enjoy.
The Darkest Knight continued with a short description of the designs about his person.
The helm and poldarons are become the universe entire, with many planets, the moon in flux and the sun in its majesty. Also some Space X rockets, a depiction of the International Space Station and the James Webb Telescope
The left arm is a wondrous city where all shall be prosperous, the air is clean about the skyscrapers. The streets are wriggling with busy people in many coloured dresses. Cats are revered.
The right arm is a country at war with all its disappointments and sorrows, where lies and disinformation fuel the fires of discontent. The streets are paved with fear and the people move slowly through the somber places. Boa constrictors have taken over the swamp.
My cuirass is covered with examples of Industry. Mountains of goods are fashioned in a far, far place where wages are risable and brought to our land, mostly by ships across the oceans. These great ships are stacked high with towers of boxes. The Arcane Machinations of Banking are revered.
On my back can be seen the Natural World, dying of thirst, afire and plunged in a mighty flood submerged.
My loins and foulds are awash with floral designs of my own invention.
And lastly, upon my greaves and sabotens are the great waves of Oceanus. Except there are very few fish shown, as they have all been eaten or are become extinct.
That sounds marvellous, said the Sphinx enthusiastically, and fairly reflects the state of the world in which we find ourselves. I am looking forwards to a closer look after they have disposed of your corpse.
By the way, I could not help but notice that in your attempted threat of bombardment, you failed to name the dreaded projectiles. Is that because you have not yet decided or is it that you cannot find anything suitable. We would be more than happy to be bombarded with pomegranates for instance.
The Darkest Knight grew irritated, I do not think that you are taking this seriously, he called, I will crush your buildings with great rocks and such as soon as I can find some. Unfortunately, we were not able to bring our own as we were travelling light. Can you, by any chance, direct me to the nearest quarriable stone outcrop?
I’m afraid I cannot, said the Sphinx, as I am new here myself. Whilst we wait for the outcome of the council meeting, might I enquire as to the motivation behind your aggressive behaviour? I find it hard to believe that one so obviously well heeled, is purely driven by the need of useful objects and a slave or two.
You are as perspicacious as you are large, said the Darkest Knight. Settle and I shall relate.
The Guardians of the Cave 