Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [R] Remi[Cote d'Azur]: Enter The Pirates
Message-ID: <1992Oct17.044416.28190@kakwa.ucs.ualberta.ca>
From: aaron@space.ualberta.ca (Aaron Humphrey)
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1992 04:44:16 GMT

This voyage so far had been much too uneventful for Remi's tastes.  How was a
pirate supposed to earn an honest living if he didn't run into any peaceful
ships?  It was almost enough to make him return to merchanting.

Then he heard a tapping on the door.  It was Sardonikas.  "Yes?"

The mage smiled.  "Just thought you might like to know, Captain, that there's a
bit of a magical altercation going on nearby.  I pinpointed the location, and
it's not on land.  So there's another ship near us, even if you can't see it
yet."

As if on cue, the lookout above cried, "Sail ho!"

Remi looked thoughtful.  "Your opinion, Sard--is it safe for us to approach?"

The mage shrugged.  "The fact that a magical combat is going on suggest that at
least some portion of the ship's complement is divided.  If the two mages can
tire each other out, or at least occupy themselves with each other, then they
shouldn't be a threat to us.  If need be, I can take the side of one of them,
and hope to win his gratitude."

"We'll have to risk it," Remi muttered.  He couldn't come up empty-handed this
time.  It was annoying.  Up north, Alasir's flexing its muscles made people too
paranoid to send out ships.  Down here, the uprising in Specifica/Sugars caused
trade to be diverted.  And that mess on Valkeer...

He emerged from his cabin, and Vanshar saluted him.  "What kind of ship does it
look like?" he asked his first mate.

The Rameshander grinned.  "Should be easy pickings, Captain.  A passenger ship
from Pashar, bound for Generica."

Remi grunted.  "Maybe not to easy, Vanshar.  Sard here says there's a bit of a
combat magique going on over there, so at least two mages and maybe more.  My
guess is some Generican types coming back home from Rameshan.  Yes, Laurent?"

The Second Mate said, "Captain, last time we took port in Generica rumblings
were of some kind of emissary from Generica going down to Pashar.  Maybe he's
on his way back, with his escort."

"And maybe not.  We'll have to take that chance.  Dragon?"

The bosun looked up.  "Aye, cap'n?"

"Take us in on that ship, for boarding."

"Right, cap'n."  The bosun started bellowing orders left and right, and idle
sailors all about scurried to their duties.  The captain and mates went about
their duties, but Sardonikas remained, eyes and other senses tuned on the
ship barely visible on the horizon...

--
---Alfvaen(Canadian SF Quasi-Activist)
"Does it ever seem like the brain disorders you have just aren't enough to keep
 you amused anymore?"  --Dr. Strychnine
Current Album--Ben Hadley:Tunes From The Well
Current Read--Charles de Lint:Drink Down The Moon