Just as they were about to enter the valley, the wandering minstrel appeared again.

"Greetings once more, Sir Knight. I see you beat the Blue Dragon after all. That's amazing. But if you think that was tough, wait until you get into the valley.

To this valley you say you are headin', I will miss your sweet face and your smile. 'Cause there's a guy there that's waitin' to take it, so I'd give him a miss by a mile.

If you still try to get past this feller, and insist on recovering the key. Then you'll just have take what fate hands you, and don't come 'round later whining to me.

Best of luck my friends."

As soon as the singer was gone, an old man appeared, smiling kindly.

"You don't have to listen to that nonsense, Good Knight, there is nothing in this valley that one needs to worry about."

"And who might you be, sir?" Sir Charge asked.

"Why I'm the keeper of the mist. You can't have a Valley of the Mist if there's no mist, can you?"

"It makes my quest a little harder," Sir Charge said. "I have to find a golden key here to rescue a maiden. With all your mist it's going to be difficult."

"More difficult than you think, Sir Knight!" The old man's smile disappeared and he held up his staff with the mysterious ball and began to chant.

"One, two, three... I've got the key and I'm willing to bet you can't get it from me."

"Stand aside, squire, whilst I deal with this nuisance." Sir Charge drew his sword and approached the transformed man. "Remove yourself from my path fellow, or suffer the consequences."

Before Sir Charge could move, the man held the strange ball toward him and a great spark flew from it, zapping the knight.

Immediately, Squire Long jumped into action and charged the old man while he was busy with the knight. With one swift stroke of his blade, he smashed the strange ball and killed the spark. As soon as the ball broke, the ogre melted into a small puddle and vanished, leaving nothing but his clothes. Sir Charge gathered himself, called for his horse and climbed into the saddle. Squire Long picked up the golden key and handed it to the knight, who patted his head and said,

"Good work, squire, you're learning a lot on this quest."

"Master, Squire Long asked. "I thought we were just supposed to get a clue in this valley, we got the golden key instead."

"One doesn't question the ways of fate, Gitta, a true knight knows when to keep his visor closed. " Sir Charge gave his squire a knowing wink and kicked Deadlast in the ribs to get him moving. "So, where do you think we go from here, Gitta?"

"I haven't a clue, master."

"I thought I just explained about questioning fate."

"You did, Sire, but I still don't have a clue."

"Did I hear somebody needs a clue?"

"And who might you be, good sir?"

"I'm the clue man, baby. You need a clue, I got clues for all occasions."

"That's jolly good, sir," The knight said, dismounting and approaching the man. "I'm looking for a clue to the castle where a fair maiden is imprisoned."

"Right on! I've got red clues, green clues, yellow clues... I've even got a one of a kind clue in a dress Stuart tartan."

"I'm afraid all I can see is black and white and grey."

"No good, Daddy. You gotta get down and dig these colours!"

"We'll take a yellow clue," Squire Long spoke up.

"Cool! Yellow it is, little man." And the stranger handed the squire a small disc. "This is the clue to the fair maiden, Metal Head."

Before Sir Charge could object, the man vanished with a wild laugh.

"Here's what he gave me, master." Gitta handed the disk to Sir Charge.

"Hmmm, very interesting. What do you make of this, Squire?"

"It says, find an old man with a pet and give him the disc, he will give you a surprise in return."

"That sounds fun, Gitta. Go find us an old man with a pet." The knight climbed down off his steed and rested by a tree to wait.

Gitta didn't have to look very far, for an old man with a pet came shuffling down the road just a few moments later.

"Excuse me, sir," Gitta said. "I was told that if I gave a man such as yourself this disc, you would give me a surprise in return."

"Indeed," replied the old man. "Show me the disc."

Gitta showed the old man the disc and watched as his eyes lit up with glee.

"You seek the fair maiden that's imprisoned in the castle tower."

"Yes!" Gitta exclaimed. "Can you help me?"

The old man began to laugh and stroke the back of his pet. "Oh, I can help alright. I'm the last obstacle you have to pass before you reach the castle." He laughed again and stoked his pet harder.

"If you don't mind my saying, sir, you don't look like much of an obstacle to me."

"Oh really? Well tell me what you think of this." And he shook his arm, letting his pet go free.

What Gitta saw sent him galloping back to Sir Charge, yelling for help.

"Really, Squire, must I prepare to teach another lesson to one who would oppose us? Where is this threat you seem so fearful of. Point it out and I will vanquish it post haste." The knight looked around and spotted the old man.

"Is that what you're frightened of, Squire? That harmless old man?"

"Not exactly, master. It's what the old man has done. Can you see what he's pointing at?"

"I have no time for games, Gitta. Show this menace or show me the surprise you received for the disc."

"Actually, master, it's right behind you."

Sir Charge sighed and did a slow turn, the metal of his armour beginning to rattle and shake as saw what his squire was talking about.

"Oh my," the knight exclaimed, his knees banging like cymbals. "Quickly Gitta, time for you to gain experience in the foe vanquishing area. Strike him down, lad." The knight quickly stepped back behind his horse and urged his squire on from safety.

With a mighty sigh, Gitta charged the old man's surprise with his wooden sword. The attack was brief and very quickly Gitta found that he would require some assistance from his master if things were to improve.

"You must try harder, Gitta," Sir Charge called from behind his steed. "Faint heart never won fair lady."

"Perhaps, master, if you could bring my club it would be a big help."