From: slybz@cc.usu.edu
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Azzar replies to Saph and Tavis' Discussion
Message-ID: <1992May19.220907.55723@cc.usu.edu>
Date: 20 May 92 04:09:07 GMT

As Azzar and Caezer return to the table, Saph says:

>Saph turns Tavis and returns his remark with a grin, "Ah yes, but even if a man 
>is a slave, he can learn to savor some moments.  Pity the freeman then who      
>cannot enjoy his freedom, for he has no cause to rejoice in it, but envy the    
>slave who can make the most of his days and enjoy the happiness he can find,    
>for he will die the more fufilled man."

Azzar turns to Saph and says, "You are very astute for one so young and empty
seeming. Excuse me for interrupting your conversation."  She turns to both 
Tavis and Saph and says, "I am the Lady Azzar of Bloodstone.  I but recently
returned from an adventure that proves the truth of this lady's words."  She
smiles at Saph.

"My companions and I ventured to a place far to the south of Bloodstone, across
the sea.  A great desert was there.  The desert was once called the Desert of
Demons for its inhabitants worshipped one of the great demon lords.  I will not
mention his name here, for he may hear me and wreak his wrath here.  We were
journeying to the long forgotten temple to attain an object to help me in my
quest."  She pauses and takes a sip of wine.  Anyone watching her can tell that
she is pained by these memories.  She sighs and continues, "On our way to the
center of this desert, we came upon an inhabited oasis.  The people there were
all dark skinned like our friend Drax here," she smiles at Drax but in her eyes
there is a dark cloud.

"These people believed those different from themselves
in appearance to be inferior and made them slaves.  My companions and I knew
this.  Two were naturally dark skinned and a third could make himself easily
appear as such, but I and 3 others could not do this readily, so we agreed to
appear as slaves in the town.  However, we could not know that they required of
all slaves to wear collars, magical collars which were not removable and caused
great pain for disobedience to the one attuned to your collar.  With much
money, we convinced the collar maker to make it so that the "owner" could
remove the collar if need be.  They thought the request strange, but
fortunately consented.  Anyway, I digress...

"As we neared the town center, we heard a slave auction taking place.  Several
wanted to buy me for my fair skin and exotic appearance; they offered my
companions large sums of money, but fortunately they were true friends and did
not sell.  We saw several unfortunates that day; we could not buy them all to
free them.  We saw many that were adventurers like ourselves.  My companions
bought several of them.  Amongst them, was a simple traveler who liked nothing
better to explore the world.  He regretted greatly having come into this area
for he was used to freedom and could not tolerate chains.

"Thus far, he had been a willful slave, who no matter the pains induced by the
collar would sooner pass out than obey.  For that reason he was very cheap.  I
tried to inform him of his luck in falling in with us, for we would release all
slaves that we had bought that say when we passed into civilization once again. 
But the chains had blinded him and he would not believe.  He was very bitter
and had lost all hope.  It was not easy for us to gain his trust, but we
finally did after we left the city.  I do not believe he ever appreciated his
freedom more than when we freed him.  But at the same time, when we had to make
a show in the city that he was a slave, he could not savor the priveleges that
only we would give him in that city:  we (as slaves) were "allowed" to walk
freely about the city "on errands", and do things that the people there would
never believe we were premitted to, yet all he saw were his chains.

"I believe that if you have a kind master, the life of a slave isn't so bad;
life can still be enjoyed in some small ways.  But if you cannot appreciate
what you have and enjoy what you can to the fullest, you are not truly living. 
I only hope that Harold has learned that."  She gives a deep sigh.

Azzar turns back to Caezer, "I'm sorry, love, but she struck a chord in me. 
Most of what happened in that desert was not pleasant, though I think I have
grown a bit because of them."  She takes another sip of wine.  "You said
something about a tale?  Perhaps a humorous tale would be in order as well as
some breakfast....Serene!"

					-----------

The Lady Azzar of Bloodstone