Date: Monday, 8 Feb 1993 11:05:25 EST From: Michael Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Message-ID: <93039.110526344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Ga] Divide and Conquer [ADMIN: I'm sort of doing this "blind", as my site seems to be a bit behind; for example, I saw a post or two from the 3rd for the first time today. Still, this _should_ fit in with the rest of the battle , and I have Linda's usage permission for Kyleen if not consent to the exact words... And hopefully, it'll go through _this_ time...] The morning was a pleasant time for Brent, with Alaric and Mathew's training his personal high point. 'At least I won't have to teach him everything.' he told himself. 'Just some things he won't like, if the immunization was any sign.'. And with that thought, a small frown crossed his face. Mathew was vastly different from the people -- rare as they were -- that Brent had guided in the Thieves' Guild in his old town; they usually had above average knowledge of life's hardships. But Brent would do his work for the same reasons: primarily, to insure higher chances of survival and wellbeing; and secondarily, well -- to tell the truth -- to gain "favors". Such favors usually led to respect and deep friendship, thing that helped in both his life's professions; things his early life had been basically without. But then morning turned to afternoon; pleasant company to deadly enemies. Zebron collapsed, and five figures stepped out of the woods before virtually anything could be done. >"Step away from the drow." were the only words said by the elf... And for a change, Brent followed the advice -- his own way. "Yes, I'll 'step away from the drow', and towards your back" the half-elf thought as he tried to inconspicuously make his way around the foes. He soon found that he had made the right choice, when Garriot charged and Mardan protected Zebron. Brent knew he wouldn't have anything effective versus the werebeasts. And with Zebron down, perhaps only he could provide some stealth for the party. Fortunately, the other half dozen of his party held the attackers off until he could get into position. The voyage was not without its hazard: while not defending himself from one form of attack or another, the elven mage fired indescriminantly at them. One of the first shots was aimed at Brent, which the thief had tumbled largely away from, the blast nicking his right leg. It far from eliminated him from battle, though, and made the mage his target. And now that time had come, the mage too busy with defense and counterattack to notice the thief. Or so Brent hoped. * * * * Kyleen's bow filled the air with deadly arrows. She fired occassional shots at the weretigers -- when possible to get a clear shot in -- but her main focus was the spellcasters. She recognized that they held all the danger to use against her and her friends. The elf held most of her attention -- he seemed both the leader and the most powerful foe. Thus he received more than his share of missiles, even though he shot down, shielded himself versus, or otherwise avoided most of them. Kyleen could not afford to concentrate on the elf, though, lest the cleric go unchecked. And so it was no small joy for the ranger to see the cleric fall, even if worry about Khisanth's condition took it's place on her mind. 'Now for the mage' she concluded, a small smile crossing her face. And suddenly it was as if fate had read her mind, and agreed with her. She saw Brent readying to strike from behind. She fired a volley of arrows to serve as a distraction, but a magical force field deflected them. Knowing the field would also defeat Brent's attack, replacing her missile weapon with a melee one and breaking into a run towards the mage. The elf flashed a anticipating grin. He believed Kyleen had been enraged enough to foolishly attack him from straight ahead -- where his magic could do the most damage. He prepared an offensive spell, dropping the shield so it could go through. Kyleen hid her own smile, wanting the mage to think her berserk, for her actions would turn from a rash maneuver to a brilliant one if things stayed constant... And seconds later, Brent's sword found the mage's back, disrupting the deadly spell on his lips. The mage spun around in anger, ready to strike, before recallin the charging ranger. Not being one to make the same mistake twice, he anticipated the forthcoming blow and blocked it. Brent and Kyleen kept the mage surrounded and outflanked, causing wounds and making the elf red with frustration. The mage instantly recomposed himself, choosing just one target: the half-elf. The woman was not as adept at backstabbing, and seemed best with her bow. Magic filled the air, sending Brent flying, to land several feet away. He started to rise, but -- seemingly because of a quick glance back by the mage -- collapsed again. The elf smiled, feeling the thief was down for the count. Nevertheless, after a few moments, Brent arose again, a smile on his face. Playing "dead" was an old trick, and the mage had fallen for it -- probably because there was no time to check. Still, Brent had been injured, and had no wish to close again, lest next time he wouldn't _have_ to pretend. He saw that Kyleen was temporarily enraged, her slashing weapon showing her anger at seeing her comrade fall; the mage quickly gained several wounds. However, the elf was a veteran, adjusting to the tempo and eventually going on the offensive. During this time, Brent had carefully drawn his bow, loading it with one of the few poisoned arrows he had left. He tried to concentrate past his hurt body to the elf. Then came the sight of the mage, catching Kyleen off-balance -- she seemed strangely, probably magically, in a daze -- and preparing to finish her, which made him snap to. He aimed at the small of the back, fired, and hit... though in the left shoulder. Still, it was enough. The mage screamed, allowing Kyleen to refocus. Her blade penetrated the weak defenses and into the chest. It was hard to say what did it, the poison of the loss of blood, but the mage fell unconscious. While Brent slowly got to his feet, Kyleen switched back to her bow and readied to fire upon those remaining. Coming upon Brent, and noting his wounds, she asked "You all right?" "I'm alive, that's what counts." Brent answered. "And I've still got a bit of fight within me, although I could probably use a cleric eventually." Kyleen smirked -- if only Brent knew. Maybe after the battle was over she would show her talents, but dealing with the enemy came first. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Sander (with thanks to Linda Scheider) 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu