From: mcutter@gacvx2.gac.edu
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Thorr-kan's Story, Part II
Message-ID: <1992May17.192755.1432@gacvx2.gac.edu>
Date: 18 May 92 01:27:54 GMT

Grizzly breaks into a ferocious belch, prompting Polar to comment on how
Thorr-kan has made a friend.  She also offers her condolences on losing
everyone when he came to his senses.

"There is a great deal of irony in that comment, tale-weaver.  True, I
have been exiled from my homeland upon pain of death.  But not all
disagree with me.  And by losing my past, I have gained many things that
I would not have otherwise."

Thorr-kan shifts in his seat at the memory.  His uneasiness shakes the
table, spilling a bit of ale.  "My... enlightenment was not the easiest
of things to deal with.  Indeed, it still hurts.  And it has never
become any easier to talk about.  But having started the story, I can
hardly go without finishing it, can I?  Listen closely, Xenos.  This
tale may show you why I feel we have much in common."

The White Minotaur sips his dwarf-spirits, musing.  "Where was I?  Ah,
yes.  I had made my dis-illusionment known to my superiors.  You called
their reaction clearly, Polar Bear.  They believed I had contracted some
for of mind plague.  But because of my prowess, they could not remove me
from command.  Instead, I was given minor posts, insulting to one of my
honor.  They hoped such treatment would bring me to my senses.  I _was_
reconsidering my opinions.  I was also spoiling for a fight."

"I soon was given a chance.  A raid was planned against the humans.  I
was given a chance to take part in it; needless to say, I jumped at it. 
We would be on an extended raid:  we were to take a port, hold it,
gather all we could from the lands around.  When the opposition became
too great we would set sail with our booty."

A far-away look has been entering the minotaur's eyes.  By now, it is
clear that he is relivign this part of his past.  "The raid went well. 
We took the port and its environs with little effort.  Our raids went
quite well at first.  But then several parties disappeared to the west
and south.  I was sent to discover the reason for their lack of
communication.  Instead, I found a host of knights.  They were flying
the banners of Solamnia."

"The Knights of Solamnia," continued Thorr-kan, "are the greatest human
fighters in the world.  Their prowess and honor are legendary, even to
my race.  One of them in full battle regalia might match a minotuar in
hand-to-hand combat.  Give them their war-horse and the battle becomes
deadly earnest. We _respect_ them, especially for an inferior race.  Or so I
thought then."

"I sent word to the high command, recieving orders to hold the Knights
until we could evacuate."  A low rumble:  "Running is never easy, but
sometimes prudence demands it.  This was one such case.  I prepared
defendsive positions and forced the humans to attack me.  My duty was to
destroy as many as possible before rejoining the main force."

"The battle was epic.  Our defensive line survived two days against
overwhelming odds and numerous mounted charges.  But on the third day,
the humans brought magic to bear.  Against this, I had no chance.  All
the mages and clerics of any power were with the main force. "

"I gave orders to retreat.  We would engage the enemy on the march,
harassing them until the mail force could be brought to bear.  For
another three days this worked.  We retreated in good order, making way
for port.  But on this sixth day we discovered our betrayal."

Now the minotaur's voice grow very, very grim.  "The main force was no
longer present.  I later learned that they had left just after our first
day of engagement.  I was isolated and sacrificed for POLITCAL reasons. 
My troops were 'unfortunate victims.'  Our anger knew no bounds.  Our
backs to the sea, our enemy around us, we had nothing but death.  It was
just a choice of how; being minotaurs, the choice was of course to take
as many of the enemy with us as possible.  If our people could not know
of our deaths, at least the humans would still fear us in the years to
come, and the gods themselves would be forced to acknowledge our bravery
and honor."

"We armed to the teeth.  The port was well fortified and we made use of
it.  One day later, the Knights arrived.  They called on us to surrender
and avoid unnecessary death.  Oh, how we jeered.  It was no less than
they expected.  For a week they hurled troops and magic against the
walls.  On the eighth day, they were breached.  The streets ran red with
blood.  No quarter was asked, none was given.  I led the final defense
of the keep.  By then only a hundred of us were left.  We met five times
our number in the great hall, in an epic charge."

"I plowed into the Knights, laying about with my great axe, rushing
their leader.  Man-to-man we fought.  I prevailed, but only after he
sunk his blade into my ribs.  As light faded, the last I remember is my
second-in-command forming a ring around me, and a distant voice saying,
'This one's time is not yet.  We have use for him, my servant.'"

Thorr-kan shakes his furry head.  "I need something to quaff my parched
throat."  Thus saying, he grabs a pither of ale and downs the entire
contents.

-Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Gleep, the pseudo dragon. 

********************************************************************************
Peace through strength!                          Victory through annihilation!!
Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@vax2.gac.edu OR spock@vax1.gac.edu
Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them!
********************************************************************************