Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: scott@athena.mit.edu (Scott D Bradburn)
Subject: Re: Thorr-kan's (minotaur's) replies
Message-ID: <1992May14.031323.3854@athena.mit.edu>
References:  <1992May13.160851.1360@gacvx2.gac.edu>
Date: Thu, 14 May 1992 03:13:23 GMT

In article <1992May13.160851.1360@gacvx2.gac.edu>, mcutter@gacvx2.gac.edu writes:
|> That said, Thorr turns to the bard.  "You play well, but look worn out.  Take
|> a break."  Raising his voice, he calls out (not QUITE loud enough to deafen the
|> room),  "Someone weave a tale to give the poor song-smith a rest!!"  Looking
|> around, he settles back into his seat, bringing his companion into his lap and
|> petting him as the first person steps forward to begin their tale....
|> 

"A good idea, minotaur.  Since the minstrel seems to have worn her fingers to
the bone, I have a story for those who will listen." replies a large man with
red skin.  "For those who care, you may call me Xenos."

"Many years ago, in a far away land, there was a powerful sorceress.  She was
the evil sort, having joined forces with several greater demons from the lower
planes.  With her power, she had enslaved several villages near her tower, and
few men dared set foot in the area she called her own.  As is normal for power
hungry magic-users, she was destroyed and her slaves freed.  As her conquerors
ransacked her tower, they discovered an infant boy.  No one knew where this
child came from.  Some believed him to be the child of murdered villagers, being
saved for some dark sacrifice.  Others believed him to be the child of the
sorceress herself, fathered by a demon by some twisted bargain with the lower
planes.  One of the conquerors took pity on the child and took adopted him to
raise as his own son.

The child was raised in the house of a nobleman.  He grew up isolated from other
children, because this noble's wife had died without providing and heir.  The
child didn't mind, he had much to entertain him, and his personal tutor taught
him the ways of the world.  He also spent many hours training in the ways of
combat with traditional weapons.

As the child grew up, he began to notice he was different.  The child had green
hair and orange eyes, more like a cat's then those of a man.  When he asked his
father about this, he was told that he got them from his mother.  Several years
later, his father passed on, and a steward was put in charge until young
Dexter came of age.  The steward, though, had other plans.  He studied the Baron's
records and discovered Dexter's true origin.  The people of the Barony had been
told he was the son of a conveniently dead cousin.  The steward used this to his
advantage, and turned the townspeople against Dexter, and they revoked his
inheritance and drove him into the wilds.

Dexter wandered for many days, until he encountered an old mage, wandering through
the countryside.  The mage was immediately curious about the boy's green hair
and cat's eyes.  When he asked Dexter how he came to have such unusual features,
Dexter explained, 'My father told me that they are from my mother.  An evil
steward who had me banished from the city of Tisbandel claimed my mother was
an evil sorceress, and my true father a demon from hell.'

The old mage responded, 'This is truly remarkable if what you say is true. 
Please, accompany me to my home, and I will investigate your origins.  We will
both learn the truth together.'

Several days later, the mage began a series of incantations to divine all there
is to know about young Dexter.  Afterwards, he approached Dexter.  'Dexter, what
I have discovered, may not please you.  Are you sure you want to know?  Some
things are better unknown.'

Dexter assured the mage that he wanted only the truth, and no more lies and
unknowns.  The old mage responded, 'Then know this, young Dexter, through mere
accident, the steward who banished you was correct.  You are the son of a powerful
mage and an elemental demon.  But, know also, that as the son of a demon, you have
tremendous power, that you have yet to realize.  Your powers are thus:  You can
call upon any of the elements to aid you, fire, water, earth, or air.  You may
also become invisible at will, and teleport to any location you know.'

Having heard this, with growing horror, Dexter cried out, 'It cannot be!  I am
normal, I must be normal.  I have never done any of these things you claim.  Why
do you torment me so, what have I done to deserve this!'

The mage replied, 'You asked for the truth, and I gave it to you.  You may choose
to believe it or not.  If not, be on your way, and discover the truth for
yourself.  If so, stay, and I will teach you how to draw upon your natural power.

Dexter, seeing the easy way to prove the mage wrong, decided to stay and learn
to use his 'powers.'  Unfortunately, or fortunately, as the case may be, the mage
was not lying.  Dexter learned to draw upon many powers.  His most deadly ability
was the talent of empowering any weapon he wielded with an elemental force,
causing his already great battle prowess to become overwealming.

After only beginning to master his talents, Dexter foolishly went into the world
to reclaim his rightful ownings.  He teleported into the castle, and honorably
defeated the steward in hand-to-hand combat, with a flaming sword.  Afterwards
he returned to the townsfolk to claim the Barony, promising to rule with justice.
The people were horrified, and nearly killed him stoning him out of town.  He
had forgot to use his teleportation to escape, due to inexperience.

It was then that he realized that truth and justice weren't all they were said to
be.  For truth had revealed that he was the son of a demon, and his just slaying
of the steward nearly got him killed.  He then decided the only good course to
follow is a selfish one.  He wandered many miles away, far from anywhere he
was known, and became a mercenary, for anyone who would hire him, explaining
his odd features as the result of a curse from a powerful mage.

Quickly, Dexter's reputation grew, having accomplished several, seemingly
impossible tasks.  He was sought out by all people with a nearly possible quest
to complete.  All the while Dexter's combat skills increased, and his ability
to use his natural talents multiplied tenfold.  Quickly, Dexter became a living
legend, known widely, and had a price on his head in many places.  For this
reason, there was no one that Dexter would call a friend.  For he couldn't trust
anyone not to be an assassin looking to collect a reward.  So Dexter still
wanders, searching, hoping, that some day, he will find someone, someone who
he can trust not to stick a dagger in his back at the first opportunity."

Finishing up his rather long tale, Xenos says, "And what, you may ask, is
the moral of this story?  Well, there is none.  It is merely the story of a man
who is trying to find a reason to live.  For each time he is forced into combat,
his weapons become heavier.  And one day in the not-so-distant future, he may
discover that he no longer wants to deflect the killing thrust."

Finishing up his tale, Xenos decides it is time for a meal, and, seeing no more
of the sixteen corner tables open, takes a seat at the bar, next to the wall.
"'Keeper, a mug of ale and a bowl of stew for a road-weary traveler!"

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Scott