Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: tomscud@ruf.rice.edu (Thomas Reid Scudder)
Subject: Re: William: on the broadmarch, Seige IV
Message-ID: <1992May28.200125.29123@rice.edu>
References: <1992May28.184332.8940@cheshire.oxy.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 May 1992 20:01:25 GMT


    In the cargo hold:
    The running and shouting from above have only increased in intensity,
and are now augmented by the sound of steel against steel.  Cedric looks at
William bemusedly.
    "When you said that others were also going for help, I didn't expect a
bloody army, boy.  Well, Dougl, how does it feel to have the militia called
out on your account?"  He shakes his head.
    Before Dougl can respond, the hatch is lifted, and a voice rings out.
    "I thought I told you to fetch the prisoners!  Are you deaf, or just
asleep again?  Afshin, Abdullah, go help that sod out.  We may still be
able to bargain our way out of this."
    William cocks his crossbow, and Cedric, the militiaman, and the gir
draw their weapons and prepare to strike.  The first guard to drop down
receives a bolt through the throat, and lets out little more than a whispe
before falling to the ground.  The second one receives a sharp rap to his
helmeted head and a sword in the kidneys, but manages to let out a yell of
surprise before he, too, falls.  William and Dougl both flinch at the sight
of so much blood spilling out on the floor.
    "What's going on down there?" comes the shout from above.
    "Why don't you come down and see for youself?" replies the other young
of Dougl's age.
    "Oh, so the slaves have gotten free, have they?  Well, consider
yourselves lucky that I have no fighting men to spare, or else your
punishments would come sooner, rather than later.  But I will keep one
man guarding the hatch, just in case any of you get any ideas about
excaping during the fight."
    Cedric looks at the others and chuckles.  "Well, my friends, it appears
that we have some time to relax.  William, keep a watch on the hatch, just
in case our friend upstairs tries anything.  In the meantime, anyone care
to wager on the outcome of the battle?"

ADMIN:  If someone could liberate the hold before the end of the battle, I
wouldn't be terribly upset.  *sigh* nothing like getting stuck in the
basement when all the real action is upstairs.
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
draw their swords and prepare to strike.