From: srnix@citron.ucsb.edu (Nix)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Banner's tale continues
Message-ID: <4925@ucsbcsl.ucsb.edu>
Date: 2 Jun 92 19:28:50 GMT

Characters involved: Colin Silvertree's table

  At Colin's prompting, Banner looks up at the group gathered at the table.

  "After building cairns for my men, we made haste for the Scholia. At that
time, I was unaware of the following of Loviatar. I didn't recognize their
brutal trademark. I felt it would be safer for the girl if we continued on."
Banner's face begs for agreement on his decision, as it seems that his choice
to continue was difficult to make. "The heavy snow slowed our travel, but we
reached the Scholia in two rides. The sole path to the Scholia was through a
narrow valley. At its end the Scholia's outer wall barred all passage. I
pounded on the heavy door and a man that I didn't recognize called out from
the wall above. He sent us away, saying that the Master of the Scholia wasnt
accepting visitors. No one is turned away from seeking shelter at the Scholia.
Knowing that something was wrong, I led the girl back down the valley. I asked
that she stay within the valley, I had to return to the Scholia to find out
what had occured. She is stubborn, she told me that I was her protector and
it was my duty to take her along. I would be deserting my obligation. I knew
she just wanted to come with me for the 'adventure' in it. I reluctantly
agreed."

  "We scaled the valley wall out of sight from the Scholia. Once out of the
pass, we could desend into the mountainous bowl that housed the school. I
could see activity around the large building, lights in windows, figures
walking the tower ramparts. We waited for night to fall." Banner stops and
looks around. He looks over to his table and checks up on his two companions.
No one is bothering them. "Avoiding the sentries torchlight, we reached a
side door to the kitchens. It wasnt locked. We entered and closed the door
behind us. The kitchen was empty, but there was food cooking everywhere. A
huge meal was being prepared, a feast, and the cooks wouldnt be gone for long.
I knew the Scholia well. I also knew the secret doors that led through the back
wall of the building and into the mountain tunnels. If there were any of the
schools inhabitants left alive, they would be hiding there. We made our way
through the school to the secret tunnel. On our way, we spotted men and
women dressed in vulgar attire. Furs and leather, all designed to be revealing
and painfull to wear. The secret door opened and we entered the lit tunnels."

  Banner shakes his head slowly, "The shock of my men's death and the loss of
the Scholia must have dulled my mind. If the students were hiding, the tunnel
torches would not have been lit. I closed the secret door and led on. Passing
empty caverns, I headed for the storage chamber. A terrible shriek echoed
through the tunnels, followed by a crowd's laughter. The sharp cracks of a whip
sent me into a fury and I charged ahead. I barreled into the huge cavern that
was used for storage, but now was a sick place of torture. Young girls and
boys, the students, were tied or chained over barrels. Blood was everywhere.
Half naked women were dancing in the gore, covering themselves with blood and
lashing out at random with their whips. I was sickened and infuriated, drew
my sword and slew the woman next to me. Their attention turned to me, but
instead of fear or shock at the death of one of their kind, they smiled.
They enjoyed every moan that issued forth from the dying woman. I lost all
control of myself and charged to attack another, I had to make them stop...
the laughter... THEY WERE LAUGHING AT ME!" Banner's eyes open wide as his
memories of that moment return. He has the look of a lunatic, sweat beading
down his forehead. He smashes the table with his fists and puts his head
down upon his arms, "(muffled) I couldn't make them stop laughing."

***************************************************************************

Steve Nix (srnix@citron.ucsb.edu)