Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 26/02) - With just a touch of magic we lost the 21st Century and found a medieval land tucked in the back corner of Pontoon Lake.

They ate and drank in one of the most magnificent feasts this side of the 9th Century - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

Around 100 or so guests dressed in their medieval best -- knaves in tights and damsels with long flowing gowns -- ate and drank in one of the most magnificent feasts this side of the 9th Century.

Rumours say this was the 14th annual feast of the sort, and if experience makes one wise, then this fiesta has few rivals -- such was the mirth that was had.

Two knights clashed in a joust for the kiss of Gwyneviere, but no one lost any limbs. Even the dragon escaped unscathed.

Ale poured throughout the night with profits going to the council for the disabled.

This was the black knight's party and contrary to popular lore he was not a blood thirsty tyrant.

He is Richard Zieba and he turned his house into a medieval wonderland.

Near the end of the evening, the black knight sat on a deck chair inside a bug tent, exhausted from a night of hosting.

One of the guests, with a twisted sense of humour, unzipped and threw open the flaps of the tent.

Within seconds the tent filled with mosquitos.

"This was a great party," said the guest. "It really was."