From: pcalvert@economics.adelaide.edu.au
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [R] Karl [Rameshan] gets a few clues
Message-ID: <1992Aug27.085811.1@economics.adelaide.edu.au>
Date: 26 Aug 92 23:28:11 GMT

Posted on behalf of Dennis Brennan
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Karl's snore was loud and resonant, almost causing the wooden door to
resonate against the plastered frame.  Unfazed by this evidence
of sleep, the youthful-looking figure rapped severely on the door, waking
Karl with surprising ease.  "Wha..what?  Who the hell is it?"  Karl
cried out.

The door swang open, and a beam of light from the window illuminated
the uninvited guest.  He seemed a healthy, tanned youth.  "I am
called Artifice.  Please get dressed and come with me- I have much
to tell you, but the walls are thin."  As if to emphasize this point,
Artifice tapped lightly on the wall.

Karl pulled on his trousers and a light jacket and followed
his guide down the long corridor.  Periodically there were windows
cut into the wall, through which bright sunlight poured, causing Karl
to squint.  At last they descended a narrow, winding staircase and emerged
into a busy square.  Looking up, Karl saw a fine mist around one
of the towers of The Court.  He smiled knowingly, identifying the phenom-
enon as Hazy Drifter.  Artifice, too, studied the cloud, with
an undecipherable expression on his face.

Artifice bade Karl sit in a small pavilion.  Shortly a turbaned
waiter appeared and offered the pair drinls.  "Coffee for my friend,
nothing for me," ordered Artifice.

Artifice lowered his voice.  "You may be surprised to know this, but there
has been much talk concerning your arrival.  For starters, it had
been reported that you were in the company of several fantastic beasts...
More significantly, the local league of mages and sorcerors were among the
last to learn that you would be escorting Amaan out of town.  This
event is being interpreted many different ways by many different people.
I, for one, am delighted to be rid of... but I must not let my own
purposes sieze me.
"I must tell you that the Shaheran Himself has seen it proper that you
should succeed in this venture.  Evidently he wants to 'shore up
ties with our Generic friends' or some such potitical rubbish.  I
have been asked to warn you that there are many who would distract
or hinder you from your path.  In particular there is that odious
rabble of philosophic pretenders who call themselves "The Watchful
Society of Gentleman Apothecaries"...
"Accordingly, I will accompany you as far as I am able to ensure
that these perverting influences are shielded from you and your quarry."
Artifice smiled slightly.  "It is late.  I have other pressing business.
Good day."  He paced off purposefully.

Karl sipped at his coffee, wondering at the import of this advice.  The
brew was bitter and very strong.  The waiter returned, and asked if Karl
would like anything else.  As he did this, the man made a fist with his
right hand and ground it into his left, as if he were crushing something
to powder.  In response to this gesture, Karl touched two fingers
to his tongue before replying, "Yes, thank you.  Might I be directed
to the nearest latrines?"

THe words were meaningless, the message had been entirely transmitted
manually.  The waiter had identified himself as a Gentleman Apothecary,
and Karl had responded that he, too, was a Gentleman of the Society
and needed to speak with him.  Karl rose and followed the waiter
toward an isolated table outside the pavilion, in the sun.

THe waiter removed his turban.  "I  am Ahri, fellow of the Society.
We have been notified of your mission and stand ready to assist you in any
way that we are able.  The man with whom you spoke is called Artifice, one
of the most notoriuous of the Court's spies and an enemy of the Society."

Karl told Ahri what Artifice had said.  Ahri nodded slowly.  This
bodes poor for you.  It is possible that Artifice means to sabotage your
expedition.  Then again, he may have some other agenda.  You must
be brought to the Lodge.  There, we will try to render further assistance.
I can not stay."  Before leaving, Ahri made the mortar-and-pestle sign with
his fist again.

Karl sighed, wondering at how to put together what he had learned
this morning...

db