From: andrea@cm.deakin.OZ.AU (Andrea Todkill)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Kadrys buys Lucas a cup of cheer and hears Constantine's tale of fear
Message-ID: <3278@sol.deakin.OZ.AU>
Date: 3 Jun 92 23:18:47 GMT

Kadrys gives a mildly curious glance as a rather morose fellow named Lucas
(A Druid by the look of him, or I'll eat garlic!) makes a very half-hearted 
mention of a holy symbol, before slumping over his table. As Kadrys pays the
waitress for Constantine's ale, he hands her another coin. "And give that
_happy_ one over there (nods towards Lucas) another of what he's having. I
like to encourage clergy to take a rest from the evangelical warpath..."

As the waitress leaves them alone (or as close as can be expected in an Inn
as popular as this!), Constantine decides after awhile to recount some of his
truly serious problems.  "I, um, sold my soul to several dark powers..."
Kadrys' eyes widen, and he listens in intent silence to Constantine's story. 
"...if they ever got ahead of me at my game, I'm gone..." A shiver runs through
John's body, and the look of naked fear on his usually calm face is dreadful to
see.  "If....no, WHEN they get me, I can look forward to several eternities of
suffering."
Kadrys stares aghast at Constantine as his tale draws to a close. It takes him
a moment to gather his thoughts into a reply. "One such being is deadly enough
to deal with." he mutters grimly. "Playing several of them off against each
other..." He draws a hissing breath through his teeth, shaking his head slowly.
"In all my years, I have never before met a human who has less reason to look
forward to the afterlife than myself. I spoke more truly than I knew, when
once I referred to you as a unique individual." He regards Constantine with a
certain dismayed respect.
Seeming to notice that the bar has become noticibly quieter, Constantine gives
Kadrys a weak smile.  "Anyways, enough about me..." His quiet chuckle turns
into a groan, as he lights up another one.
'At least now I know what those incense sticks of his are for,' Kadrys thinks.
'He uses them to keep his devils at bay...'