Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: tomscud@ruf.rice.edu (Thomas Reid Scudder)
Subject: Re: The contest begins!
Message-ID: <1992May14.170337.3955@rice.edu>
References: <1992May14.013236.28131@athena.mit.edu> <1992May14.053716.18524@rice.edu> <1992May14.155935.29906@midway.uchicago.edu>
Date: Thu, 14 May 1992 17:03:37 GMT

    "Oh, hello, cousin Dougl!" says the lad with the crossbow.  "Why yes, Uncle
William decided that, what with the problems he's been having with the Baron,
I would be safer here.  I tried to convince him to let me stay and help, but
he wouldn't hear of it.  Even though I could beat him 4 contests out of five at
the crossbow.  And after only a week of practice, too!"

    "Oh, is it my turn to shoot, my lords?  Just a second."

    With a mighty heave, the lad actually manages to cock his crossbow.
Displaying the same astonishing lack of form, concentration, and steadiness,
he lines up for another shot, when suddenly he lets out a lout sneeze.
The quarrel flies.

    Rhoan says "Thats all right, lad, we'll give you another shot ... " and then
trails off as he realizes that the quarrel has lodged in the middle of the
target.  He shakes his head in disbelief.

    The lad beams at Dougl.  "See, cousin, I told you I was getting good at
this!"