Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [DQ][L] Kadrys: Success is in the Eye of the Survivor Message-ID: <92350.091331ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu> From: ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu (The Dreamer) Date: 15 Dec 92 14:13:31 GMT Received: from PSUVM by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (Mailer R2.08) with BSMTP id 1755; Mon, 14 Dec 92 19:01:19 EST Received: from sol.deakin.OZ.AU by PSUVM.PSU.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Mon, 14 Dec 92 19:01:15 EST Received: from aragorn.Cm.Deakin.Edu.Au (aragorn.cm.deakin.OZ.AU) by sol.deakin.OZ.AU with SMTP id AA11984 (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Tue, 15 Dec 1992 10:55:21 +1100 ~From: Andrea Todkill Received: by aragorn.Cm.Deakin.Edu.Au (5.61+IDA+MU/client-1.3) id AA14398; Tue, 15 Dec 1992 10:55:20 +1100 ~Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 10:55:20 +1100 Message-Id: <9212142355.AA14398@aragorn.Cm.Deakin.Edu.Au> To: ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu Luthor: >"Why don't you start first...Last I knew, your group was planning on going to >rescue a dragon upon the request of my shrunken giant-friend SunStorm." Luthorr >leaned back in his chair and frowned briefly when he remembered that Serene >would not be coming to get his order any time soon. Kadrys settled back in his chair, his black eyes growing distant as he gathered his thoughts. His always-quiet tones were even more pensive than usual. "It's strange. I was just wondering to myself whether I could describe our recent venture as a success or a failure. ... I really am not sure which is the truer description. We retrieved the dragon, yes. But that may be the least of the successes, in a place where simply retaining selfhood is a victory, in a war which must constantly be fought. ... An ancient evil was prevented from overwhelming Nexus and Titania." He directed a sombre glance at Luthor. "I had no hand in preventing that evil. At the time, I did not even comprehend the act that accomplished that goal." He sighed softly. "Yes, these things could justly be called successes. ... But an innocent man paid for those successes with the loss of his life..." He paused and something blended of a shrug and a shudder shook his form. "...perhaps, with the destruction of his soul." He stared bleakly at Luthor, "I know of no other name for that than tragedy." "Kadrys, I know that the price was great. In preparing me to take over my family's estate, my father taught me that if you do your best, you succeed, no matter what the outcome. I believe in those words and they have kept many ancient evils from taking over the homes of many beings both here in Nexus and elsewhere. Compare the loss of one man to the pain and death of many more people. I'm sure that your friend died knowing what he was doing. Nothing evil can come from a completely selfless act." Luthor stopped then. He felt strange giving an ancient vampire advice on how to live his unlife. Kadrys broke the stare and looked around, yearning for some more joyous topic of conversation. "I see that Serene is no longer here. Has the time come for her to deliver her child?" he asked trying not to think back to another Dragons Inn, another waitress ... another - offspring - waiting to break free from the confines of its mother's flesh. Luthor took a long pull from his mug of Catamount Amber before answering. When Luthor did finally speak, Kadrys was suprised at the love and caring that filled Luthor's voice. "Serene...Yes, she did give birth to a daughter. Mista is her name. She is the most beautiful child I have ever known, Kadrys. A true daughter of her parents. I have had the good fortune to be named Mista's godfather...well, one of them anyway." Then Luthor sighed and stared into his mug. "When can I see this child of wonders then? Such a diversion would be welcome right now." Kadrys again scanned for the ever-present yet now missing Serene. "Mista is with her mother. While the inn was under attack and I rushed outside to help out, Serene was attacked and Mista was kidnapped. I see the concern in your face, but don't worry. Mista was found and returned. Hopefully Serene will recover soon. If not, then I will have lost the love of my life for the second time..." Luthor sighed again. He was saved from tears by a light mood-altering melody from Listener's lute. Love and Peace and The Miracle of Healing, -The Dreamer-