Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
From: bfish@sequent.com (Brett Fishburne)
Subject: [KQ] Captain [Inn] : Pledge, Ship's asail, and ADMIN
Message-ID: <1992Aug6.150113.27970@sequent.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 92 15:01:13 GMT

[ADMIN:  I disagree with the rest of you.  I like the pace which the
[KQ] thread has been moving at.  It is in part (I think) due to the slow
movement of the thread that we have been able to get the great amount of
interaction which makes this thread unique.  One other thing I enjoy, is 
each of the characters taking the opportunity to react to what happens
around them.  Sometimes good writing takes time -- let's not rush ahead
simply for the sake of rushing ahead.  In the meantime, I'll play with time
as necessary to fill in some missing details I want to contribute.  I won't
slow down the pace with this, but my postings will be occuring at two 
different time frames for a little bit]

Characters:  Captain, Azzar, Tvarne, Barnacle Bill, and Kron Questors

Out of nowhere sweat trickled down the back of Captain's bowed head and traced
a path down his neck and across his back under his tunic.  It seemed like an
eternity before Azzar replied,

>"Dear Captain, though I am indeed a "Lord" of Bloodstone and sworn to protect those lands,
>I am not of noble birth.  I am touched and flattered by your loyalty, but you do not have
>to pledge your fealty to me.  That is not necessary between friends."  She smiles at
>Captain.

Looking up in surprise and shock, Captain caught the friendly smile which
played across Azzar's tatooed face.  Though he didn't like the direction her
comments were going, he couldn't help but be warmed by her lovely countenance.

>"However, since you feel strongly enough to make such a pledge, I will gladly accept it." 
>She accepts the sword.  She then mutters under her breath, so that only those of keen
>hearing can hear, "I only hope that you will never have to lay down your life for mine."

>Azzar returns the sword to Captain.  "You may keep this sword, as long as you like."
>She pulls him to his feet and gives him an embrace, whispering in his ear, "You'd better
>not go and get yourself killed over me."

Whispering back, Captain replied, "I hope we have time later for you to let
me know exactly what I have gotten myself into here."  Relief rushed through
his body -- she had accepted!  Captain made a mental note to get a little bit
more training with a sword and dagger as soon as possible.  Stepping out of
her embrace, Captain very solemnly said, "My lady, I shall be both your
first and last defense, woe be unto the one who decides he would split your
soul from your body while I still stand." [Rather poetic I think]

"Aye, Cap'n there ye be!  I should've known you'd be in the embrace of some
wench!" cried Barnacle Bill as he came into the Dragon's Inn.  Bill clapped
Captain on the shoulder while Captain resheathed the longsword "Light Bringer".
"Look here, we've been in port a might long here and with all the activity in
this this city, I'm worried for the ship.  I think we should cast off to
Specifica of the Furs and unload the sugar sitting in the hold.  What think ye?"

"Bill, you are right, but I've made some obligations here I must follow
through on.  Perhaps you would consider skippering the ship 'till I can get
back to my normal life?"  Bill's jaw dropped in surprise, then his face 
screwed up as he tried to apraise the ship's owner and master.  

"I imagine then that I'll be pulling the Cap'n's wages?", Bill asked shrewdly.

"I tell you what, return here in two tendays with a profit and we'll talk
about wages.  Just as an incentive, for every five gold pieces you bring in
profit, take one for yourself, use three to restock the ship and place two in
my account with the money lender's guild here in Generica.  Sound fair?  By
the way, Bill, lose the ship and its your life if you survive it."

Knowing the ways of the sea, Bill expected the latter, but was truly unprepared
for the monetary offer.  Before Captain could change his mind, however, Bill
spit in his palm and sealed the deal with a shake.  Captain stopped him
before he could leave and said, "Offer Tvarne a birth -- I'm assuming he did
well overseeing the repairs?"  After Bill's nod, Captain continued, "Use
your judgement on pay, but be fair.  Spice will be your biggest problem, but
give him some additional responsiblity and he'll keep the rest of the crew in
line.  Lastly, I'll need your cutlass."  Captain said pointing to sword which
hung on Bill's belt.  "I'll replace it when you return with a sword twice its
value, but I've lost mine and it looks like I'll need a weapon I'm familiar
with," Captain explained awkwardly resting his hand on the pommel of
"Light Bringer".  

Wordlessly, Bill removed the cutless from his waist and made good his exit
from the Dragon's Inn.  Captain strapped the cutless onto his waist in front
of "Light Bringer" and to the surprise of several Inn patrons tested the
draw on both, adjusting until he seemed satisfied.

Already a small group had assembled around Kron and discussions of an assault
were beginning.  When THK made his entrance in his shell armour Azzar greeted
him and Captain held back his desire to strike down the lizard man on the 
spot.  Subsequently, Captain learned in a left-handed complement from THK
that this was the lizard man he had struck down in the alley-way beside
Ratty's.  It was all he could do to swallow his pride and distaste for
lizard men and say, "Sorry about that, glad to have you on our side.
Apparently those scales are tougher than my poor sword was, as you seem no
worse for the wear."

Amid animated conversation a plan was formed and the Kron Questors made their
way out of the Inn in search of Kron's sister (new information to Captain).
It didn't really matter much to him where or why they were going, the important
detail was that Azzar was going and he had sworn to her protection.  He
hoped she wouldn't live to regret having accepted his services.

-- Captain