[JonPop]

JonPop stood, looking around at the empty places at the round table gave a sigh and said, "My brother Knights, before I lay before you the plan that his highness King Arthur and I have devised to destroy the Black Knight, I would like to say a small prayer for our departed and only female Moderator Knight, Jennifer*."

"This will be the only and last time time that her name will be brought up in remembrance."

All of the Knights and the King bowed their heads and Sir JonPop continued, "Please Lord God, since you have seen in your infinite wisdom to take our dearly beloved Jennifer, in the prime of her life, please take her into your loving embrace and cherish her as did we. Amen" As one, all echoed "Amen."

Sir JonPop looked around at the seated knights and saw a few wet eyes. He continued, "The plan, while simple in nature is very much dependent on precision timing."

"As you all know, Our King's daughter, Princess Susan, while a very gentile lady on the outside, who's kindness and mannerisms are those of a true Southern Belle, inside lies a women that is fiercely competitive."

"Princess Susan is by far the best archer in all of the land. I once witnessed her putting an arrow through a drachma at over 200 meters. She has excelled and beaten, any competitor, man or woman that has ever challenged her in tournament. She is a key piece to this plan as is Sir Sonic Celt."

"King Arthur and have chosen Sir SonicCelt for his size and strength to represent the Kingdom of BetterMan in a Jousting tournament to be held here in one month. As you know, Sir Sonic has never been defeated with the lance or in hand to hand."
Sir JonPop held up a poster and showed it around to the Knights. "Sir Rob, our newest Knight has created this poster and charged our BetterMan Monks to scribe, hundreds of these. They will be affixed to trees, walls and in all the courtyards and villages in all of the kingdoms."

The poster read:

"Come ye, come ye, all ye Knights, to the finest and most rewarding of jousting tournaments in all of the land.
Come with your best armor, your strongest lance's and most trusted squires. This tournament will be an elimination contest and the victor will receive 1,000 pieces of gold. There will be a great celebration with wine, food and much merriment. The tournament will be held on the castle grounds in the Kingdom of BetterMan on the last day of the coming month. This contest is open to all. Come ye and meet our undefeated champion, Sir SonicCelt as he dispatches all that dare to go against him."

As the Knights finished reading the poster, Sir Sonic said, "Well now, last to know, first to die?" And chuckled.
Sir JonPop said, "Not on your life Sir Sonic" And laughed. "This is only a trap to kill the Black Knight. You will though, be required to participate in a few jousting matches unless the Black Knight, whom we are hoping will take the bait, is the first to challenge.
In which case the trap will be sprung immediately."
Sir Sonic said, "Good, I need to knock some people off their horses and kick some ass for a change. Getting soft since the war." "One month, eh? Should be enough time to get back to top form. Please tell us the rest of the plan, Sir JonPop."

*Jennifer Logan, Beloved Moderator at BetterMan, born June 10th. 1980, killed in a car accident on Oct. 8th. 2007.
God Bless and RIP.
_