Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [L] A Meeting with an Assassin Message-ID: <92287.141449ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu> From: Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 14:14:49 EDT It was dawn at the Dragons Inn. The breakfast crowd was growing and Luthor knew that it was time for him to leave. He excused himself from his friends at his table, blew a kiss to Serene, and left. Dawn had always been his favorite time. It was the time when Lathander rose to bless the world with his life-giving light. He drove away the darkness. Evil creatures hid their faces from his holiness in fear that they might be shown their true natures. Granted, Luthor was more powerful in the dark where shadows were his allies, but there was something magical about the dawn. Its red and orange hues painting the air like no artist could hope to, no matter how skilled in their art. As Luthor walked toward the Arcade of Unforgotten Heroes, he thought about his date with Serene on the previous day. They had toured the city and enjoyed each other's company. *sigh* If only everyone lived so simply, unburdoned by ambition or materialism... Luthor entered the arcade and saw a man who seemed to recognise him. He was wearing leather armor and a longsword hung on his right side with a dagger hanging on his left. Luthor wondered what kind of man would dress in such a manner for a business meeting. At that point, he felt a little dizzy, 'You're getting old Luthor,' he thought to himself. Luthor approached, "Greetings, I assume that you are Draaken Rasp?" "Aye. I am he. I assume that you are Luthor Anside, recently of the Realms?" "Luthor Anside of the Eveningstar Anside Family; loyal to Cormyr and its ruler, King Permus Tremor the First; Last of the Children of the Blue Star," Luthor said making a formal introduction as was appropriate for business dealings. Helen, being used to court life before this mission, took a formal stance at the tone of Luthor's introduction. Now it was too late. She would have to change Draaken's false history. This was only a minor setback, but she made a mental note to be more cautious. "Draaken Rasp, Champion of Daggerdale, Slayer of the Beasts of Fire, Loyal to the Brotherhood of Seven Blades. Well met Luthor, your station is above mine, honor to your family and your country," Helen intoned. "In matters of buisiness, all men are equal. Well met Draaken. Now, let us talk of how you came to Nexus. It seems that a few of us have found our way to Generica, a rather fortunate coincidence, don't you think?" Luthor asked. 'Coincidence? What is he implying?' Helen thought. "I was running a caravan across the desert when it was lost to a sandstorm. I wandered for days and then ran across a large pair of doors floating in the air. At first I thought I was delerious, but then I realized that these doors were the mythical link to Nexus. I went through them and then eventually found my why here," Helen lied. Luthor wondered why Draaken had switched accents. It was a subtle change, but Luthor noticed such things from years of playing political games. The dizziness returned. 'Now I'm getting paranoid,' Luthor told himself. "I myself came to Generica to escape an enemy, but that situation has corrected itself. Now I seek to settle down in Generica and perhaps start a business. This is why I agreed to meet you. What do you have in mind?" Luthor asked watching Draaken closely. 'He's up to something wicked more than likely.' "I propose that we open a gambling hall. With your ability to change chance and mine to deal cards, we could have ourselves a fortune before too long. I have a friend who is a cleric of Tymora, Goddess of Luck. She is also interested in joining the venture." Helen felt nervous. This meeting wasn't going as she had hoped and instead of letting his guard down, Luthor seemed more alert. 'Where are the gangs when you need them?' she thought. At that point, the gang did arrive. "Hey Markis, lookie what we gots us here. Looks like two fat rich folk to me eh? What says we lighten deir purse so da jangles don't tire dem out?" said one samll, but strong looking boy in his mid teens. "I sees dem Grik. If dey is smart, dey will give us da jangles now. If dey is dumb...which dey is, dey is gonna fight us den give up the jangles anyway." This from another ruffian in his late teens. He wore an impressive array of daggers that Luthor hoped he didn't know how to use. 'Uh Oh' thought Luthor. 'heh heh heh,' thought Helen. "We got work to do boy," said their leader. The gang closed its circle on their two victims. Love and Peace and Treachery, -The Dreamer-