From: andrea@cm.deakin.OZ.AU (Andrea Todkill)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Kadrys ponders Constantine's bullets and Gashweyr's bombast
Message-ID: <3299@sol.deakin.OZ.AU>
Date: 5 Jun 92 00:24:19 GMT

Constantine leans over to Kadrys and whispers "I need all the good karma I can
get. I figure it won't hurt to score some brownie points with the good guys,
and some blessed bullets might come in handy some day." Kadrys nods grimly to
Constantine. "True enough" he mutters. He opens his mouth to ask what possible
help brownies could be, but thinks better of it. The man has more than enough
to worry about already. Kadrys eyes the strangely-shaped silver objects
skeptically and thinks 'Bullets, eh? Blessed or no, if he plans to make any
difference to his foes with these, then the sling that throws them had better
be at least as unusual as they are...'

Kadrys' train of thought is interrupted as a florid individual named Gashweyr
crosses the Inn, bearing down on their table. Even in the gloom, the colours of
his clothing are garish enough to bring a wince to Kadrys' eyes. 'He _has_ to
be a mage.' Kadrys thinks 'They must trade in their taste on their first wands.'
He unobtrusively draws away a little as Gashweyr helps himself to a seat.
"I will tell you frankly gentlemen," Gashweyr says, "this is a disturbing table.
You sir," he says, adressing Kadrys, "Are definitely not homo sapiens in the
most exacting sense of the word.  Perhaps homo superioris would be more
appropriate." Kadrys gives Gashweyr a slow, sharp smile, shrugging slightly at
the other's remark. "Perhaps it would." Kadrys murmurs noncommittally. His
always-quiet voice seems by contrast to the previous speaker to be little more
than a whisper. "I've been called far worse things many times..."
Gashweyr then addresses Constantine, then (after an extended comment on the
Inn), offers to buy them drinks. Kadrys smiles at this, saying "I thank you
for the offer, but I think it's best if I take care of my own needs, don't
you? Don't worry," he adds casually, "I am not thirsty at the moment."
Gashweyr then declaims at some length on his woes at the hands of another
client of the Inn called Fenris. The word 'barbarian' gets a thorough workout,
as do a great many other words. Kadrys sits silent throughout this (not that he
has much alternative), wondering to himself, 'Was I wrong earlier? Could he be
an air elemental in disguise?' Kadrys rests his chin on his cupped hand, perhaps
settling in for a long bout of listening, perhaps hiding yawns or cynical grins.