Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: Re: [Ga] At Camp, Mathew disturbs Brent Message-ID: <93015.114755344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> From: Michael Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Date: Friday, 15 Jan 1993 11:47:55 EST References: <93011.203450344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> >Mathew could see that Brent was not going to give him an answer that would >satisfy his code of ethics. "Who am I to judge another," thought Mathew >to himself. He shrugged his shoulders to Brent as if to say 'You don't need >to answer me, and let's drop the subject.' Brent could tell his point had not been made, but decided to let it slide. This was not the best time for him to state his case, especially to someone so... innocent. For seemingly all of his life, Brent had known such things as thievery and deathe, and so such a positive view of the world had never been possible. Brent decided to teach Mathew some of the lessons life had already taught him. Not that he would suggest Mathew _use_ them -- that would be opposite of Mathew's mindset, and Brent could tell he wasn't going to change _that_. But he would do it before someone else -- someone a lot less concerned about Mathew's well-being -- taught him about it the _hard_ way. >"Sorry about disturbing you. I got an overgrown concern for others well >being, and I thought you were in trouble. Well... never mind." "No reason to apologize ... there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to realize that most people can take care of themselves, or at least prefer to think so." >"If you're feeling okay, I do got a lot of questions. Like, who are we up >against, you all speak like you know? And where are we going? And I know >why I'm going, but why are you all?" Brent remained silent, trying to decide exactly where to start. >"Sorry, that was too many questions at once, besides you asked first. I'll >answer yours if you help me out with Phillipe's horse?" The half-elf was unsure what that comment meant, but he nevertheless agreed. Mathew then showed the horse's broken shoe, and told of it being the beacon to them. >"Here hold on to his hoof and don't let him put it down. I'll be back in >a bit with another shoe. >Brent took the horse's hoof as Mathew headed toward the fire. Keeping the hoof elevated, Brent decided to sit down and view the sights. The tents and bedrolls were laid out in a basically circular pattern around the fire, spaced close enough for security yet far apart enough for some measure of privacy. A quick scan showed Mathew giving Zebron a weird glance -- this caused a memory to resurface for Brent, which he filed for later use -- but the remainder of the group was deep in slumber. Surrounding them was a clove of trees, which they had hoped would separate them from whatever Mother Nature might throw at them. And above them, as they would be every night on this orb that bore life, the stars shone down. Their luminescence -- stopped only by a slight overclouding -- was the only visible light besides the fire. There was no doubting Brent enjoyed this time. Throughout his life, even now that he was making a more "honest" living, night time had seemed his main time for activity. And it seemed to be again tonight, if only for conversation. His thoughts returned to the events nearby as he heard Mathew's approach. >He returned to Brent and hammerd the shoe back into the horses' hoof using >the old nails. >He then returned to the fire to replace his tools and waved Brent over like >a long lost friend. "Come on over here and tell me your tale, it's still >early. If it won't ruin your resistance ritual, I might be able to do >something about the gash on your arm. "First things first -- the gash doesn't need to be healed, though it would be perfectly safe to do so. "First, you asked about who we are up against. To tell the truth, I don't know. And I don't think anyone here knows. Except perhaps Garriot, and his memory of that is distorted." "You see, that was the initial reason for this group's formation -- to go to Hawkesholme in hopes of restoring Garriot's memory." "Of course, you know all too well of the events that have changed that. I'm sure most of the others list stopping whomever did it as a reason now, as you must. And I wouldn't be surpised if Hawkesholme contained the answer to _that_ also, in one form or another." "Anyway, feel free to ask more questions -- you'll just 'owe' me, and I know you're still wondering about things. Like the money..." he continues, intentionally failing to contain a knowing smile." "But first I want to applaud you for accepting Zebron's heritage as you did. I must admit that your smile was more positive than I've ever seen for someone meeting a Drow for the first time. I can tell that he likes not having to prove himself also, even if he didn't say so." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu