Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: bshsiung@quip.eecs.umich.edu (Bernard Hsiung) Subject: [R] Amaan & Dariel Message-ID: <1992Oct29.163720.13703@zip.eecs.umich.edu> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1992 16:37:20 GMT In the midst of the pirates' attack, two persons on board the _Arcas_ were far more concerned with each other. The mechanical man was an anomaly, Dariel mused as he advanced on Amaan. The technology level was much higher than he originally expected. Sentient machines capable of light-cloaking were... somewhat unusual, to say the least. Amaan was frantically trying spell after spell. He chanted ceaselessly as his hands moved in mystic passes, scattering exotic materials every which way, but to no avail: Dariel determined the manipulated energies and defused them more quickly than Amaan could gather them. A tiny ball of pitch that should have been a massive explosion bounced harmlessly off one shoulder. The piece of twine that was the essential component in a strangulation spell of which Amaan was exceedingly proud frayed and snapped for no visible reason. The magical homing darts that Amaan materialized with a word curved and hit the wall as Dariel slapped them aside. Amaan's chanting moved up an octave as Dariel moved within arm's reach, then cut off abruptly as he was picked up by the collar of his robe. "Look, Amaan, I'm really very impressed with the education you are giving me in interesting ways to kill people, but I would much rather discuss a few other items. Why don't we go back to your cabin and have a pleasant little chat." It wasn't a question. A pair of crossbow bolts whistled through the empty air where the figures of a Rameshandar mage and a white-robed man stood moments ago. -- Comments, compliments, and complaints can be conveyed to: Bernie Hsiung (bshsiung@eecs.umich.edu)