Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: aaron@saturn (Aaron Humphrey) Subject: Maleiu: [fire] makes an offer to Bakr Message-ID: <1992Jun6.013957.3382@kakwa.ucs.ualberta.ca> References: <1992Jun5.184729.23676@rhrk.uni-kl.de> Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1992 01:39:57 GMT kring@efes.physik.uni-kl.de (Thomas Kettenring) writes: : Bakr nods again. "So you are a traveller too, like most people in here. : But you don't seem to have any luggage, and not many clothes... : I assume your continent is hot, like mine, since there are people of : your skin colour at Eschar too. They are mainly used as slaves, I fear. : But I don't appreciate that. Freedom is very important for me." At this point, as if to underscore his point, Bakr turns to Gashweir, comments on his inconsistency in names, and then demonstrates elementary illusion- magic. Maleiu's nostrils flare for a moment as the powerful odor of Higar for a moment replaces that of Bakr, a change more significant than the visual one. Then Bakr changes back, and Maleiu smiles. "My friend Ornigan can perform such magicks. Spirits of my ancestors willing, I may see him again someday." Maleiu becomes somber for a moment. "You say many in here are travellers, as I. But I am one far too weary of travelling. Sometimes I do not know whether I wish to anymore. But at other times the pull of honor, and of love, is stronger. Though even the pull of love is not as strong as it once was." Maleiu looks down at the table. The plate of food Tvarne had bought for him was long since cleared away by Serene after he had wolfed down its contents. The cup of goat's milk contained only dregs, which Maleiu drained even though he knew they would do little to offset the dehydration of the past few days. He considers Bakr for a moment and says, "My recent travails have relieved me of many of my possessions. If you would see fit to buy me some more drink to soothe my dry throat, I will repay you with a story. Surely by now you have become curious about all my cryptic references. I am not used to being so cryptic, but this land has worked many changed on me I could not have foreseen when I left my homeland. If you wish to make the trade, I will tell you the story of how I became the wanderer I am now. "What say you, mage?" Maleiu looks questioningly at his table companion. : Bakr ibn Ja'far ibn Musa al Mekneshi, apprentice mage. -- ---Alfvaen(a.k.a. Aaron V. Humphrey) Canadian Network For Space Research, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Her hair spilled out like rootbeer... Current Album--The Motels:Shock