From: andrea@cm.deakin.OZ.AU (Andrea Todkill)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Kadrys is touched by Zia, ribs Constantine, and mourns Drax.
Message-ID: <3196@sol.deakin.OZ.AU>
Date: 24 May 92 02:57:31 GMT

(Kadrys is brooding bitterly after hearing Nightstalker's story)
Zia gestures vaguely, looks slightly defeated, thinks for a moment...
then takes Kadrys' right arm (closest to her) turns it gently till the
inside of the wrist is facing up... and gently kisses it.  Then releases
his hand....  She looks at him quizzically...

Kadrys is frozen for a long moment into utter immobility. His expression is
aglow with astonishment and wonder. Despite his ancient acquaintance with
words to compliment, words to charm, his search for an adequate reply to Zia's
gesture is entirely unsuccessful. Finally, wordlessly, he reaches out with his
right hand and traces the line of her cheekbone with infinite care. A smile
slowly dawns on his face, as his former mood of despair lightens.

Constantine senses the lifting of Kadrys' spirits, and asks:  "Umm, Kadrys,
I've heard about some of the powers of vampires and I, er, was wondering, uh,
if you could do that hypnotic eye trick of yours and round me up a bar wench?"
Constantine stares pleadingly at Kadrys for a moment before he loses his
straight face.

Kadrys' smile widens and he turns towards the bar. "Easily done, John. Why,
I'll even let you into the secret of the Magic Word of Charming! But first,
the Hypnotic Eye Trick..." He attracts Serene's attention (with an ordinary
wink!) and says "Another pint of ale for John here..." He glances sideways at
Constantine and nudges him as if to say (Here comes the magical word)
"...Please!" He pays for the ale and passes a brimming tankard to Constantine.
"I trust you wanted a 'bar wench' so you could order more ale? If you had other
things in mind, I think I'll let you rely on your own charm spells!" he grins.

A moment later his attention is distracted by a loud crash. He whirls and gasps
in shock as Drax falls. Zia is already moving across the room towards Drax, but
Kadrys does not follow. He knows that it is already too late. His earlier
expression of sorrow returns, moderating a little only when he sees the message
Zia discovers on Drax's gauze robes.