The Clumsy Knights and the Abandoned Castle

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doctorwho30024 days agoHive.Blog35 min read

Chapter 1 - The Hidden Castle No More
Chapter 2 - The Library Search Party
Chapter 3 - The Grudgewater Pathway
Chapter 4 - The Abandoned Haunting
Chapter 5 - The Mysterious White Dress
Chapter 6 - The Clumsalon Visitors Hall
Chapter 7 - The Haunted Alter
Chapter 8 - The Battle on the Haunted Trail
Chapter 9 - The Dawn of Avalorthington
Chapter 10 - The Diplomatic Seal of Alliances

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 1
The Hidden Castle No More

After the famous—or rather, infamous—“Lopsided Courtyard Welcome,” where the Clumsy Knights displayed pure, unadulterated clumsiness and somehow still managed to save the day against the fearsome duo of Sir Ascenation of the Frozen Valley of IcingSnow (nicknamed the Cold Demon) and Sorcerer Knight Redsfear of the Kingdom of DragonSwolf, the Clumsy Knights welcomed the young King of Orchington, along with the Red Knight of Orchington and the Blue Knight of Avaloth.

Clumsalon and Perfectia had made it their mission to find a new home for these newly found allies and friends. Both kingdoms sent out scouts to search the lands for a potential site to rebuild a single kingdom and castle for the young future king of Orchington.

The Kingdom of Clumsalon welcomed all three knights as honored guests, offering them shelter for as long as they wished. For months, the group had traveled safely back and forth between Clumsalon and Perfectia while the scouts continued their search for a permanent home.

Now, the Clumsalon scouts had returned with intriguing news: they had discovered an abandoned castle, well hidden in deep seclusion.

The King of Clumsalon responded quickly. “Where is this abandoned castle, and why was I not aware of this mystery before?”

One scout bowed deeply and replied, “It’s nestled in mountainous terrain just southeast of Mount Crumble, beside a winding riverbed. This river leads directly to Lake Monster. The castle lies near—or perhaps even borders—Clumsalon’s lands.”

The king immediately tasked Sir Toppleberry with commissioning a full investigation into the abandoned castle.

Sir Toppleberry, ever the picture of readiness, stood before his monarch with a brimming iron cup of mead in one hand and a very long, slightly limp carrot in the other. He looked up at the king with great solemnity.

“Yes, Your Grace! I shall most certainly commission a full investigation!” he declared proudly. “I have my sword in one hand—” he paused, glancing down, “—and my shield in the other!”

A polite cough came from the side.

“Um… Sir Toppleberry?” Sir Yokel the Younger ventured.

“You are, in fact… holding a carrot. And your drinking cup. Your sword is still in its scabbard, sir. And your shield is… well… currently being used as a table by Sir Victor and Sir Ouchington.”

Sir Toppleberry blinked. Looked at his hands. Looked back at the king. Then, attempting to project maximum dignity, he announced:

“Nonsense! This is clearly… a highly specialized investigative carrot. And the mead is… evidence preservation fluid.”

He took one confident step forward.

That was the moment the chair behind him decided it had suffered enough indignity for one day. Sir Toppleberry's boot caught its leg perfectly. The chair skidded. He wind-milled dramatically. The carrot sailed through the air like a very sad orange javelin. The mead became a beautiful amber arc that sparkled in the torchlight.

And Sir Toppleberry executed a flawless—if entirely unintentional—backwards somersault, landing flat on his back with an impressive CLANG (mostly from the helmet he wasn’t even wearing).

The entire court was silent for one glorious heartbeat.

Then the king sighed.

“Yes… that would be why we call him Sir Toppleberry.”

The Clumsalon Library

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 2
The Library Search Party

The King quickly enlisted the Order of the Backwards Plume, under Sir Toppleberry, to discover the origins of this castle: who it once belonged to, and whether it would make a suitable home for the young Red Knight, soon to be king.

Sir Toppleberry issued a request for volunteers for the special mission. Before he could even finish his sentence, Sir Yokel the Younger and Dame Clattercrash leapt out of nowhere and accepted.

“We will do it,” said Sir Yokel, as Dame Clattercrash nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

Without delay, Sir Yokel began outlining his plan for a search party to uncover clues about the abandoned hidden castle. Sir Victor the Knighting requested to join, and Sir Ouchington expressed interest as well. Sir Yokel accepted them all and led the team to the Clumsalon Library. He instructed them to search for any clues about the castle’s history: why it had been abandoned, who had owned it, and why it had been hidden so effectively from prying eyes.

The search continued for several days, with the team gathering clues and evidence before setting out for the mysterious castle. Sir Yokel was particularly curious about the condition of the castle and its surrounding lands. The location brought him near Mount Crumble, where he had once faced off against the Giant—a being now calm, though mostly hidden. The Giant had made his home on Mount Crumble.

Suddenly, Sir Ouchington raised his hand as if back in school, asking for permission to speak.

“Yes, Ouchington?” said Sir Yokel, while the others continued their research.

Sir Ouchington hurried over with the book in such excitement that he tripped right over Dame Clattercrash’s outstretched legs—she was leaning far over the library table, deep in her own research. Both went down in a clattering heap of armor, books, and the bananas Sir Ouchington had in his pouch.

Sir Ouchington popped straight back up like a jack-in-the-box, leaving Dame Clattercrash sprawled on her back, staring at the ceiling in stunned disbelief. Without missing a beat, he thrust the open book directly into Sir Yokel’s face.

“Look!” he cried. “Tell me what you see!”

Sir Yokel, blinking through the pages practically pressed to his nose, examined the text. There, in faded ink, were the words “Old Kingdom of Grudgewater,” along with an ancient map clearly marking its location. Sir Ouchington said, “I’m not allowed to enter Grudgewater ever again. You should take Dame Clattercrash there to investigate why they abandoned it and its surrounding lands. Meanwhile, I’ll take Sir Victor to the abandoned castle to assess its condition. We have a long journey ahead. Let’s rest and set off first thing tomorrow morning.”

Sir Yokel agreed. “We’ll travel to Grudgewater and ask questions—was this hidden castle theirs, and if so, why did they abandon it? The book that revealed this information is incomplete; one page has been torn out and is now missing.”

The Grudgewater Pathway

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 3
The Grudgewater Pathway

Clumsalon’s King had sent a scout to secretly visit the Kingdom of Grudgewater days earlier, ensuring the Order of the Backwards Plume knights would be welcomed without issue—in full compliance with the alliance between the two kingdoms. Communication between them was strictly limited, reserved only for times of extreme emergency.

“This newly found abandoned castle… the heir to the Kingdom of Orchington, which was annihilated by Lord Dragonis and his sorcerers,” the King mused aloud. “That qualifies as an extreme emergency, if you ask me. And how Lord CatsScull somehow managed to find the flying Kingdom of LightningAir? That, too, demands communication.”

In other words, the King was not giving Grudgewater a choice: they were to accept the Clumsy Knights of the Order of the Backwards Plume—excluding Sir Ouchington, as per the diplomatic terms of the alliance.

The scout had been dispatched to Grudgewater before the King even learned of the hidden castle. He had long harbored suspicions, so he sent scouts to both Perfectia and Grudgewater, believing one or the other might be connected to this mysterious, well-hidden ruin.

The King briefly considered claiming the castle for himself but decided it would be better served under the Red and Blue Knights—now close allies and lifelong friends of Clumsalon.

Sir Yokel and Dame Clattercrash set off in haste for Grudgewater. It was only a day’s journey—about thirty miles southwest of Clumsalon’s lopsided castle gates.

Sir Yokel the Younger was thrilled to visit a kingdom he never knew existed. Dame Clattercrash felt the same as they trekked through thick forests, carving a path deeper in. Eventually, they found a worn pathway leading to a nearby river pass.

“According to the map Sir Ouchington drew for us,” said Sir Yokel, “we’re supposed to follow this river due south until we reach a hillside. Beyond that lies the castle, nestled within the Kingdom of Grudgewater.”

Dame Clattercrash pointed at the map. “What’s this streak in the sky starting from Clumsalon and ending inside Grudgewater’s walls?”

Sir Yokel smiled. “That’s Sir Ouchington. This is how we discovered the kingdom—and it was fortunate he did. They were preparing to attack Clumsalon, according to him. As soon as he reported it to the Order, the attack was averted—no more element of surprise. Or so he says,” he added with a laugh, Dame Clattercrash grinning in agreement. “Let’s continue down the river as the map instructs. We should be close.”

About an hour later, the two Clumsy Knights finally reached the secret, guarded Kingdom of Grudgewater.

As the Grudgewater King stepped forward to welcome them, Dame Clattercrash tripped over her own feet, fell forward, and pulled Sir Yokel with her—both splashing into the water.

The King looked on, bemused. “Hmm. Now I see why they call you the Clumsy Knights. Here, let me help you both out,” he said.

Once dried off, the King asked, “You have many questions for me, I was told by your scout. Something about an abandoned castle?”

Sir Yokel nodded.

Dame Clattercrash couldn’t wait. “Do you know anything about the abandoned castle just north of Mount Crumble?”

The King replied, “It’s complicated. Yes, that castle belongs to Grudgewater, but it’s been abandoned for decades—we no longer maintain it. We built our home here, in this secluded area surrounded by water. That castle should remain abandoned at all costs.”

Dame Clattercrash nearly tripped again at that comment. Sir Yokel waited impatiently for the explanation.

The King glanced around cautiously, then leaned in and whispered into Sir Yokel’s ear. Dame Clattercrash leaned in too. “That castle was abandoned because it’s haunted.”

Sir Yokel, seeing the King’s grave expression, knew he was telling the truth. He paused, then remembered—he had sent Sir Ouchington and Sir Victor the Knighting to that very castle.

Dame Clattercrash whispered, “If you’re thinking what I’m thinking… we’ll never make it in time to warn them.”

“Just leave it,” Sir Yokel said. “Let them figure it out on their own. We must report back to the Order with this new information.”

Sir Yokel and Dame Clattercrash thanked the King, bowed in respect, and left Grudgewater in haste, hurrying back to Clumsalon to deliver their findings.

The Haunted Iron Gate

The Haunted Trail

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 4
The Abandoned Haunting

Sir Ouchington and Sir Victor the Knighting quickly packed provisions for their journey to the abandoned castle. The scouts had said it was a two-day trek. According to those who discovered the mysterious, well-hidden ruin, it was in fine condition—only natural wear and tear on the exterior, easily remedied.

The two Clumsy Knights set off, determined to reach the castle by nightfall if possible. They trudged through thick forests, puddles, and moving obstacles, eventually leaving the dense green woods behind for the mountainous terrain still dotted with trees.

“According to the scouts,” said Sir Ouchington, “we head northwest from Clumsalon, straight through the thick green forests into the mountains.”

Sir Victor glanced at the map drawn by one of the lead scouts. “Once we reach ‘The Haunted Trail,’ we should see mountains ahead. The abandoned castle is nestled within them, well concealed from potential enemies.”

Sir Victor laughed. “Naming this trail ‘The Haunted Trail’? Really?”

“Well,” said Sir Ouchington, “at least someone has a sense of humor. Can’t be serious all the time, right?”

“Agreed,” said Sir Victor, as both pressed deeper into the trail.

“Are we going the right way?” Sir Victor yelped. “Now I see why they call it haunted—it’s dark and gloomy. It’s as if something might leap out from the shadows. The king’s scout described it perfectly. I thought the Mysterious Black Forest of Clumsalon was scary—this takes the cake.”

After a full day’s journey along the eerie path, the knights finally reached the mountains. Another day of rugged terrain lay ahead before they would reach their destination.

From a distance, Sir Victor studied the castle. “Hmm… is it just me, or does this place look like a haunted house?”

Sir Ouchington took a long look. “No, no—it’s not haunted. It just looks that way because it’s been abandoned so long. No one’s cut the overgrowth around the walls. The trees are as tall as the towers.”

Sir Victor mused, “Trees make good cover for staying hidden, I suppose. Let’s take a closer look.”

“Right behind you,” said Sir Victor.

As Sir Victor began to speed-walk while staring up at the castle, he ran straight into Sir Ouchington—both tumbling down a hillside.

A few minutes later, Sir Ouchington thanked a nearby tree for breaking their fall, then shot Sir Victor a look of exasperation. “Look where you’re going!”

The two Clumsy Knights dusted themselves off and moved closer, finally reaching the iron castle gate.

“Hmm, this looks weird,” said Sir Victor. “Are you sure the scouts didn’t mention anything else? For example—why does this gate look like it’s staring right back at us?”

Sir Ouchington laughed. “Relax. That ridiculous Haunted Trail is still in your head. It’s just the scouts playing tricks. There’s nothing to worry about. Let’s get inside and make sure no one’s occupying it.”

“Fair enough,” said Sir Victor.

“Alright, let’s do this—quickly,” responded Sir Ouchington.

They pushed open the iron gate. It let out a long, agonized groan. As they stepped into the small courtyard, a woman’s voice echoed from nowhere: “You are not welcome here. Be gone—or else.”

Sir Victor practically jumped out of his armor. Sir Ouchington scanned the area but saw no one.

“Hey, Victor—relax. There’s nobody here. This castle is abandoned. Let’s keep looking. I’m curious if there’s a library.”

“Just imagine if Sir Thundersnack were here,” Sir Victor said. “He’d run straight to the kitchen, searching for any food stores—abandoned or not. He’d be the perfect candidate for that.”

“Alas, he’s not with us,” said Sir Ouchington. “I must venture in with courage—and clumsiness.”

“I’ve got your back,” said Sir Victor. “I’m right behind you.”

The Ghost Princess

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 5
The Mysterious White Dress

Both knights ventured deeper into the castle and made their way to the main hall. The place looked surprisingly clean for having been abandoned so long—dusty, yes, but still in excellent condition, as if time had paused rather than passed.

A voice echoed from a dark corner of the hallway: “Leave now. You are not welcome.”

Sir Victor spun around frantically, caught his foot in a crack on the floor, and tumbled straight into Sir Ouchington, pulling him down too.

“What in the world?” Sir Ouchington exclaimed, laughing despite himself. “What’s going on? Could you please untangle your legs from mine?”

Once they were back on their feet, Sir Victor insisted he’d heard the female voice again—this time not asking, but commanding them to leave… or else.

“Don’t pay attention to voices in your head, Sir Victor,” Sir Ouchington said. “It’ll do you no good. I think we should split up to cover more ground. Take note of anything important for our inspection.”

Nervously, Sir Victor began jotting down details on a scrap of parchment. Suddenly, a woman in a flowing white dress appeared before him, floating just above the floor. She repeated, in a chilling whisper, “Leave now. You are not welcome.”

Sir Victor quickly drew his legendary serpentine fire sword—but nothing happened.

It didn’t glow red with flame, nor did it split into two as only his sword could.

Hmm, he thought. She’s no threat.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

In a ghostly, echoing voice, she replied, “This is my home… my kingdom…”

“My sword shows you’re no threat to me or my comrade,” Sir Victor said. “Why are you here? How are you floating? Is this some kind of magic trick?”

The spectral figure drifted closer. “My kingdom was attacked by an order I remember as the Knights of Grudgewater. They sought to conquer our land—and succeeded. Most of my people fled into exile; others fought and fell. I am the last of my kind—the Princess of this castle, a princess with no name—bound to these walls, doomed to live eternity in this ghostly form. I cannot allow another hostile takeover.”

“How can this be?” Sir Victor asked. “Who would curse you to live this way?”

“The Grudgewater wizard cursed me,” she answered. “Beware—he pretends to befriend before he betrays.”

Sir Victor’s eyes widened. “And to lift this curse…?”

“Only a pure-hearted child or teenager can break it and set me free.”

Sir Victor the Knighting recorded every word carefully. He rushed off to find Sir Ouchington so they could hasten back to Clumsalon with the news.

Sir Ouchington, however, thought Sir Victor had lost his mind. “Ghosts? Floating women in white dresses?” he scoffed. “I found nothing useful. But this looks like a perfect castle for our young, soon-to-be king of Orchington and Avaloth.”

Both knights left the abandoned castle and headed straight back to Clumsalon, the princess’s warning echoing in Sir Victor’s mind long after they departed.

The Clumsalon Visitors Hall

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 6
The Clumsalon Visitors Hall

Sir Yokel and Dame Clattercrash returned to the Kingdom of Clumsalon first. Not long after, Sir Victor the Knighting and Sir Ouchington arrived from the abandoned castle. Sir Toppleberry quickly called a meeting in the Clumsalon Visitors Hall to discuss each party’s findings.

“Alright,” said Sir Toppleberry, “the Order of the Backwards Plume is assembled. Let’s begin—Sir Yokel, please go first.”

Sir Yokel the Younger explained that they had made contact with the King of Grudgewater, who admitted the hidden castle had once been part of their kingdom—but they had been forced to abandon it due to a mysterious haunting.

Sir Victor shifted in his seat and coughed.

Sir Toppleberry noticed. “Do you have something to add, Sir Victor? We’re all ears. Go on.”

Sir Victor slowly opened his notepad and began reading aloud. “Umm, Sir Toppleberry… I have quite a lot to share. First and foremost, I suspect the King of Grudgewater is lying to us. According to my investigation, the Grudgewater knights conquered that castle and its lands, then cast a spell on the princess—one that’s been passed down through their family. The castle was cleverly designed to remain well hidden.”

Sir Toppleberry’s eyes widened. “Did you locate the castle’s library?”

Sir Ouchington grinned, trying—and failing—to hide his reaction.

“Let me clarify,” Sir Ouchington interjected. “There was no library. It was empty—ransacked, probably by thieves or thugs long ago.”

“How did you both arrive at this information?” Sir Toppleberry asked, his tone sharpening. “You’re making a serious accusation against an allied kingdom.”

Sir Victor stood. “Alright, I’ll lay it out plainly. The princess herself told me. She still lives in the castle—bound by a curse cast by a Grudgewater wizard, preventing her from ever leaving the grounds.”

Sir Toppleberry considered this. “Could our wizard break the curse and free her?”

Sir Victor shook his head. “She said only one thing can break it: a pure-hearted child or teenager must do so to set her free.”

“She wants to leave and join her family in the beyond,” Sir Victor added quietly.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Sir Toppleberry exclaimed. “We could invite her here—she could live with us as an honored guest once freed.”

Sir Victor and Sir Ouchington shook their heads in unison.

“That’s not possible,” Sir Victor explained. “The princess is a ghost. She haunts the abandoned castle. That is her curse… and she wants out.”

The hall fell silent.

“Hmm,” said Sir Toppleberry after a long pause. “This corroborates Sir Yokel and Dame Clattercrash’s findings. Let me think.”

“Sir Toppleberry,” Sir Victor added, “the ghostly princess also warned me: Grudgewater cannot be trusted. Even under alliance—that’s how her kingdom was taken.”

Sir Toppleberry’s expression remained calm, almost amused.

He addressed the Order. “We will keep a close eye on the untrustworthy Kingdom of Grudgewater. If they try anything, we’ll be ready. And if they ever attack our kingdom, they’ll learn the true meaning of the Lopsided Courtyard Welcome. The Valley of IcingSnow and DragonSwolf know exactly what I mean.”

He turned. “Lady Banglethud, please summon the Blue Knight, the Red Knight, and the young King. We have much to discuss.”

The Haunted Alter (Before)

The Haunted Alter (After)

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 7
The Haunted Alter

The Blue Knight of Avaloth, the Red Knight of Orchington, and the young Red Knight—heir to the Kingdom of Orchington—arrived, joined by the young king himself and the Order of the Backwards Plume, led by Sir Toppleberry to Unsteady.

“I have news,” Sir Toppleberry began. “We withheld it until we confirmed the details. Our Order has discovered an abandoned castle, and we believe it can serve as the foundation for your new kingdom. But there is an issue: a princess haunts the castle, cursed by an evil wizard from the Kingdom of Grudgewater. As long as she remains bound, we cannot claim it. She wishes for the curse to be broken so she may join her family—and surrender the castle in the process.”

The Blue and Red Knights were ecstatic. Both had lost their kingdoms to Lord Dragonis and his sorcerer knights. “We will forever be indebted to Clumsalon,” they said. “Thank you for this incredible news. Please inform the King of Perfectia of this discovery.”

“No need, my friends,” replied Sir Toppleberry. “We’ve already sent updates.”

He continued, “According to Sir Victor and Sir Ouchington’s report, the cursed princess is a ghost. To break the curse, a pure-hearted child or teenage boy is required. I don’t fully understand the ritual, but we must act quickly. The King of Grudgewater now knows we’ve discovered the castle. Our scouts report no movement yet, so we have time. Pack provisions for the journey.”

Sir Toppleberry asked if Sir Victor and Sir Ouchington would accompany the honored guests, as they had spoken with the ghostly presence. Sir Yokel quickly volunteered to join. Dame Clattercrash, Lady Banglethud, and Sir Puddleglum the Soggy wished them well and retired to rest.

The group gathered their supplies and set off.

After crossing the Haunted Trail and the rugged mountainous terrain, they finally reached the abandoned castle gates. Sir Victor pulled open the iron gates—the hinges shrieked as if someone were being choked.

Sir Ouchington remarked with a grin, “These hinges could use some oil, wouldn’t you say, Sir Victor?” He stepped through, the others following closely behind.

Sir Victor recalled the ghost’s instructions: Bring a pure-hearted soul to the main hall altar.

He led the group through the shadowy corridors to the eerie main hall and stood before the ancient stone altar, its surface dark and veined with cold iron.

The young Red Knight looked nervous but excited, his face faintly glowing as he surveyed the hall. The Red Knight of Orchington patted his shoulder. “This could be our new home, young King.”

The boy smiled. “Yes, I can see us building our kingdom here.”

The Ghost Princess reappeared, watching from afar. “Sir Victor, you’ve returned. And who is this? A young lad, I see?”

“Aye,” Sir Victor replied. “He is pure of heart—the heir to the Kingdom of Orchington. His kingdom was destroyed by a dangerous cult from DragonSwolf. That is why we are here: to build a new home, unite two lost kingdoms, and serve their young king.”

Sir Yokel stood in awe, mouth agape, drooling onto the floor. He could scarcely believe a real ghost floated before him—black eyes, flowing white dress, white hair, hands drifting in the air. As he stepped forward for a closer look, his armored boot slipped on his own drool. He fell headfirst into the young Red Knight, dragging the Blue Knight of Avaloth down with him.

The Red Knight of Orchington shouted, “Your Grace!”

The young knight burst out laughing. “So this is how the Clumsy Knights get things done? I love it!” The Blue Knight, still sprawled on the floor, joined in the laughter.

Once everyone was helped up, Sir Victor and Sir Ouchington said in unison, “Let’s begin.” They glanced at each other, nearly identical in that moment.

Sir Victor turned to the Ghost Princess. “What must we do with the altar?”

She pointed to the young knight, then to his sword and shield. “Place them upon the altar. Then, the pure-hearted boy must swear to become the castle’s protector and guardian of its lands. If his heart is true, I shall be freed to join my family—and the castle will be his.”

The young knight placed his red sword and shield on the altar, stood before it, and swore the oath as instructed.

Minutes passed in tense silence. Then, the princess vanished—and a palpable darkness lifted from the castle, as if a heavy veil had been drawn away.

The young king exclaimed, “This is our new kingdom, knights!”

The Blue Knight asked, “What will you name it, Your Grace?”

The boy paused, then declared with a bright smile, “The new Kingdom of Avalorthington!”

The Blue and Red Knights, along with the Clumsy Knights, beamed with approval. Smiles all around—they couldn’t wait to return to Clumsalon with the glorious news.

The Grudgewater Knights

The Haunted Trail

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 8
The Battle on the Haunted Trail

The Blue Knight and Red Knight chose to stay behind to protect the castle, in case the Kingdom of Grudgewater had second thoughts about reclaiming it. The Clumsy Knights, along with the young Red Knight—the new King of Avalorthington—accompanied them on the journey back to Clumsalon.

Along the Haunted Trail, they heard footsteps growing louder in the distance. Sir Ouchington wondered aloud, “Hmm, who walks so noisily in those boots, I wonder?”

Sir Victor turned to the young king. “Your Grace, you have nothing to worry about—so long as you’re with the Clumsy Knights.”

The footsteps grew closer. The Clumsy Knights and the young king stepped off the trail and hid behind a large tree as a precaution.

Sir Victor whispered to Sir Ouchington, “You don’t think it’s the Black Knights, do you? This far from their kingdom?”

“I doubt it,” replied Sir Ouchington.

“Hey,” said the young king, peering out, “I can see them now—several knights holding a banner high. What kingdom is that?”

Sir Ouchington squinted. “It’s Grudgewater’s banner! Why are they here?” he gasped.

Sir Victor stood. “Because they’re heading toward the new Kingdom of Avalorthington—given to the young king. We can’t let that happen.”

“Agreed,” said Sir Ouchington. “Kid, stay behind us—no matter what.”

The three stepped calmly onto the trail, blocking the Grudgewater knights’ path.

“Move along, Clumsy Knights,” the lead knight snapped. “We’re on a mission to complete by nightfall.”

Sir Victor glanced at Sir Ouchington. “Something’s off, wouldn’t you say?”

“What do you mean?” asked Sir Ouchington.

“Aren’t we missing a fourth member of our team?”

“What? Who?”

“Oh!” Sir Ouchington realized. “Where on earth is Sir Yokel the Younger?”

“I could’ve sworn he was right behind us when we left Avalorthington,” Sir Victor replied.

The Grudgewater knight froze. “What did you say? New kingdom? There are no new kingdoms here—if there were, we’d know. And we’d—”

Sir Ouchington finished the sentence for him: “—and we would conquer it in the process.”

The Grudgewater knight stared in disbelief.

“What do you want with the Abandoned Hidden Castle?” Sir Victor demanded. “It belongs to the Kingdom of Avalorthington now.”

The Grudgewater knight sneered. “That castle and its lands belong to Grudgewater.”

Sir Ouchington whispered to Sir Victor, “This is a diplomatic matter—shouldn’t the king be involved?”

“No,” said Sir Victor. He stood tall, chest out, and pointed to the young king. “This is the King of Avalorthington. The abandoned, hidden castle has been found, renamed, and gifted by the Princess—the original owner—along with its lands.”

The Grudgewater knight, irritated, commanded his troops: “Attack the Clumsy Knights! I want the young king’s head on a stick by day’s end!”

The Clumsy Knights swiftly drew their swords. The young king followed suit. They formed a defensive line on the trail. Swords clashed, shields blocked.

Then—out of nowhere—Sir Yokel the Younger appeared, perched atop a tall tree, watching from the shadows. As he leapt down to surprise the Grudgewater commander, his boot strap caught on a branch. Tumbling like a bowling ball, he shouted, “Oh, not this again!” He crashed into several knights, knocking them down and landing on one with a resounding thud.

Though he missed the commander, the chaotic assault sent the Grudgewater knights into disarray. They retreated, ignoring their leader’s orders.

Soon, four Clumsy Knights surrounded the commander, swords drawn.

Sir Yokel grinned. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ve broken our alliance—single-handedly. For what?”

The knight swore his king knew nothing. “I acted alone—persuaded others to follow, hoping to please our king by reclaiming lands we once lost.”

“Then you must return,” Sir Victor said. “Tell your king what you’ve done. And you will never set foot near Avalorthington—just as Sir Ouchington is barred from Grudgewater. Apologize on behalf of your king. And know this: Avalorthington is now under the protection of Clumsalon and Perfectia. One day, Grudgewater may earn that protection too—if you prove yourselves worthy. Now, be gone.”

The Grudgewater knight—now acting alone—hurried back to his kingdom, with much to explain.

The Clumsy Knights continued their journey to Clumsalon, bearing both good and startling news.

The young king looked at Sir Yokel. “You called me a Clumsy Knight—does that mean I am one?”

“Absolutely,” Sir Yokel replied with a smile. “You have the heart, the soul… and the clumsiness. Welcome, Young King of New Avalorthington.”

A Birds Eye View of Avalorthington

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 9
The Dawn of Avalorthington

Tired but triumphant, the three Clumsy Knights and the one and only King of the new Kingdom of Avalorthington finally reached the gates of Clumsalon. They were greeted by the full membership of the Order of the Backwards Plume.

Sir Yokel stared in awe. What's with the grand welcome, my fellow Clumsy Knights?

Sir Victor thought to himself, This is what a hero's welcome looks like, eh, guys?

Sir Ouchington cracked a smile, thinking, Something's up. We're never greeted like this—especially after I clumsily averted Grudgewater's attack on our kingdom with pure, unadulterated clumsiness, I might add.

Sir Toppleberry addressed the three Clumsy Knights and the young Red King right there in the Clumsalon Courtyard—the very spot of the famous Lopsided Courtyard Welcome.

Sir Victor thought aloud, Oh no, something's wrong.

Sir Ouchington quickly interjected, “It's your imagination, fellow knight. There's nothing to worry about.”

Sir Toppleberry finally spoke. “We have a problem, fellow knights. We've received word that the Kingdom of Grudgewater is staking claim to the Abandoned Hidden Castle and its surrounding lands. They threaten retaliation if we don't concede.”

Sir Ouchington practically jumped out of his armor at the nonsense. Sir Toppleberry raised a hand to calm everyone. “Don't worry, fellow Clumsy Knights of the Order. We won't stand for this aggressive behavior—especially from a neighboring kingdom that's supposed to be allied with us and with Perfectia, thanks to Sir Ouchington's flying intervention in their realm.”

“The King of Clumsalon has a proposition,” Sir Toppleberry continued. “We will return the chest of gold—and then some—that was given to us when Sir Ouchington flew into their courtyard unannounced, in true clumsy style, unintentionally.” (Sir Ouchington grinned at that.) “It averted an attack on our kingdom. The King has already sent word to Perfectia. They are monitoring the situation and stand ready to lend a hand—by sending Sir Thundersnack the Kitchen Raider, if needed. He alone could prevent retaliation by devouring their entire food stores.” Sir Toppleberry's tone dripped with sarcasm. “Right, Clumsy Knights?”

Then, more seriously: “We will fight this with diplomacy first and foremost. That abandoned castle and its lands never truly belonged to Grudgewater, despite their conquest of it from the princess and her family decades ago.”

“We will return the gold chest and extend an invitation to the King of Grudgewater and his top knights for a diplomatic dinner here in Clumsalon. We must repair our relationship as soon as possible. There are far more evil kingdoms that would conquer Grudgewater in a heartbeat if they learned of its existence. Just like our Kingdom of Clumsalon, which is well hidden by rune magic, Grudgewater is concealed by its remote location. If the Black Knights of Gloomfen, the Snow Knights of IcingSnow, or the Sorcerer Knights of DragonSwolf ever discovered it, they would attack without hesitation. That is the card our King plans to play when we extend the invitation. If they accept, they will have no choice but to form an everlasting alliance with Clumsalon, sealed by the King's Alliance Seal from all three kingdoms. The seal can never be broken—or the king who breaks it loses his kingdom forever. The only kingdoms that have signed it so far are Perfectia and Clumsalon, with the exception of LightningAir, whose seal belongs to the princess. Grudgewater remains unaware of LightningAir for now.”

Moments later, Sir Ouchington and Sir Victor the Knighting recounted everything that had happened—the ghostly encounter, the curse-breaking, and the naming of the new Kingdom of Avalorthington. The entire Order of the Backwards Plume and the King of Clumsalon were thrilled to hear they had secured the abandoned castle and its lands for their honored guest, the future King of Avalorthington. The Kings of Clumsalon and Perfectia would honor the young lad with an official ceremony once the kingdom became livable again.

“Wrap it up, everyone,” said Sir Toppleberry the Unsteady. “Get some rest, replenish your strength—because we have work to do. The new Kingdom of Avalorthington needs our help. And don't worry about Grudgewater. Our King will handle them strategically through diplomacy.”

The King of Clumsalon sent his fastest messenger to Grudgewater...

Diplomatic Seal of Alliances

The Abandoned Hidden Castle

Chapter 10 - Final
The Diplomatic Seal of Alliances

After the King of Clumsalon sent his fastest messenger to Grudgewater, they accepted his invitation to a diplomatic dinner at the Lopsided Castle in Clumsalon.

The Grudgewater King and his knights arrived, only to be escorted by Sir Ouchington and Sir Puddleglum the Soggy. Even though Clumsalon is protected by rune magic to remain hidden from dangerous foes, the Grudgewater King had found a way to locate the castle—through means that remain a well-kept secret within Grudgewater’s monarchy.

Everyone was seated in the king’s hall for dinner. Sir Puddleglum and Sir Victor the Knighting were hungrier than wolves and eyed every edible thing in sight, but Sir Toppleberry shot them a quick glance. They withdrew with sheepish grins. Sir Toppleberry coughed, as if he had a cork stuck in his throat, then addressed the table.

“Welcome to Clumsalon. Your Grace, the seat is yours.”

The King of Clumsalon welcomed the King of Grudgewater, and they all ate happily.

After dinner, the King of Clumsalon presented an ancient document bearing the Diplomatic Seal of Alliances, with space for one more seal in the bottom right corner of the parchment. He placed it before the Grudgewater King, along with the returned chest of gold—for good measure.

The King of Clumsalon spoke clearly and pointedly: “Do we really have to go to battle, especially when far more dangerous kingdoms loom on the horizon, as I explained in my letter? Let us give the new Kingdom of Avalorthington to our young Red Knight and King.”

The Grudgewater King considered this. “But why should we? That castle and its lands rightfully belong to us.”

The young knight and king stood up and explained firmly:

“The Kingdom of DragonSwolf destroyed my father’s kingdom of Orchington and its neighbor, Avaloth—my uncle’s kingdom, my father’s brother—both now ashes and rubble. What would you have the young king do? You, King of Grudgewater, already have a well-hidden kingdom of your own. I have a rune-protected kingdom, Perfectia has its own defenses, and so does—” Sir Toppleberry coughed again, then continued where the King left off—“Princess Eláfine of the Kingdom of LightningAir.”

The Grudgewater King and one of his top knights leapt to their feet in amazement. “What? Where? The Kingdom of LightningAir? Are you mocking us, King of Clumsalon?”

The Clumsalon King stood firm, gripping his glass of Clumsy wine. “Absolutely not. She exists, and so does her kingdom.”

The Grudgewater King paced back and forth, deep in thought.

“What is going on here?” interjected Sir Victor and Sir Puddleglum.

Sir Yokel and Lady Banglethud remained quiet, as did everyone else.

Sir Toppleberry quietly asked all to sit. “Please proceed, King of Grudgewater.”

The Grudgewater King spoke: “The Kingdom of LightningAir and Princess Eláfine are fairy tales told to children as bedtime stories. So I ask again—are you mocking us?”

The King of Clumsalon rose in an understanding manner. “I see the problem now. Let me explain. The Kingdom of LightningAir, which floats in the sky, is real—and so is Princess Eláfine. Our own Clumsy Knight, Sir Flailwild, founded that kingdom through pure Clumsilon luck and even saved the princess from her tower prison. He also caused a major rage-berry fiasco involving beehives—bees, stings, sausage lips, swollen fingers, the whole disaster.”

“She exists, and so does her kingdom. I would like to introduce you to Princess Eláfine of the Kingdom of LightningAir. All thanks to Sir Flailwild, who contacted her and extended an invitation to join us today. Do you see the Diplomatic Seal of Alliances? She has already pledged her seal. Now, will you?”

The Grudgewater King and his knights stared in total disbelief. They even reached out to touch Princess Eláfine, as if to confirm she wasn’t a dream. He smiled broadly and accepted all of Clumsalon’s terms. He happily signed the Diplomatic Seal of Alliances and politely asked Princess Eláfine if he could visit her kingdom one day—after all, she had been a fairy tale his entire life, and now she was real.
Sir Toppleberry stood. “Everyone, grab your glass of wine. Let us toast to this day, our newfound alliance, and our friendship.”

The King of Clumsalon, pleased with Grudgewater’s decision, sent his fastest messenger to Perfectia with the good news. “Now,” he said to everyone at the table, “we can help our young guest of honor, the Young King of Avalorthington, rebuild his kingdom and move forward.”

Glasses raised high. They all drank to that.

And then—because no Clumsy Knights celebration would be complete without a little chaos—Sir Yokel, mid-toast, got a rogue breadcrumb lodged squarely in his nostril. He sneezed explosively, spraying crumbs and a fine mist of Clumsy wine across the table. Sir Victor, caught off guard, recoiled and tipped backward in his chair. As he flailed for balance, he grabbed Sir Yokel’s arm, pulling him down with him. The two knights crashed to the floor in a tangle of armor, limbs, and laughter.

The entire hall erupted—kings, knights, princess, and guests alike. The young King of Avalorthington doubled over with mirth, pointing at the pile. “That’s my new kingdom’s future!” he gasped between giggles.

Sir Yokel, still sneezing, managed to salute from the floor. “Welcome to the Order, Your Grace. Clumsiness is mandatory.”

Princess Eláfine floated above the chaos, smiling serenely. “Some things never change.”

Glasses were refilled. Laughter echoed through the Lopsided Castle. And somewhere, in the distance, the Abandoned Hidden Castle—now Avalorthington—waited for its builders, its protectors, and its next adventure.

The End.

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The chronicles are still being written. Somewhere in the castle tonight another knight is oiling his armor, polishing his sword with butter, and preparing to save the world by tripping over it tomorrow.

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