From: vaughan8670@iscsvax.uni.edu Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [SQ]Shade meets a woman in dreams...beauty in unconsciousness... Message-ID: <1993Feb15.164040.10830@iscsvax.uni.edu> Date: 15 Feb 93 16:40:39 -0600 [SQ] Shade watches their faces carefully, trying not to be to obvious about his thoughts... -Welcome to Meranung, the City beneath the Waves, the King says, so what made you come here ? He looks at the Dark One with a mildly curious look... -Honestly I do not know, Shade answers, I was in a fight aboard a pirate ship and was fighting a Warlock, when my strenght ran out and I fell overboard. Then everything turned black. When I woke up I was in the room where Shuulaine here picked me up...I..that's what I know. The three people around the table sit quiet for a short while, then the Queen speaks up... -You will stay with his Grace Meelaun...while we decide what shall be your fate. You are here as a guest, but you may not leave the City on pain of death. ...Shade thinks that a small frown crosse the face of the Arch-Mage Shuulaine, but there is no protest. -So it is said, and so it shall be done, the King finishes and rises from his seat. When the royal couple have left the room, Meelaun rises from his chair. -Come with med ShadowHawk, he says and leaves the room. Shade bows briefly at the Mage and follows Meelaun, through the long corridors of the Royal Palace. Eventually they exit through the main gate and comes out to a plaza outside. A chariot is waiting for them and Meelaun gestures for Shade to enter with him. -So...what do you think of their Majesties, he asks. -Oh...they seem to be good people, Shade answers carefully watching the other man. Now standing beside him Shade realizes that the man is in fact a bit taller than himself, but built like a fighter. -They are indeed, Meelaun answers and looks at the Dark One, and you stranger what are you ? Danger ? A spy perhaps ? Or just what you claim to be...eh ? -Just what I claim to be, Shade answers while looking the other man straight in the eyes. Green eyes lock on purple ones...a short con- test of wills, then they both smile... -Maybe, Meelaun says, but there is more to you than meets the eye... ...then he laughs and puts the chariot into motion. "By the Old Ones, what a strange fellow..." -Be careful ShadowHawk, the wrong people may read your thoughts... -Call me Shade, my friends usually do... -And who said I'm your friend...? -Noone, but I don't think you're my enemy unless I prove to be yours.. -Perceptive, and the tall warrior laughs again, purple eyes twinkling. After a short ride they pull up outside a low square building of shining white marble. -Welcome to my humble home...Shade. Meelaun gets off the chariot and up a short flight of stairs towards a great double door. Just before he reaches it it's opened and they step into the hall. The place seems to be empty...well almost...once they have passed through the hall they pass through a livingroom and out into a garden in the middle of the building. Beautiful green plants and grass, with a small fountain in the middle...it completely sur- prises Shade. He stops and looks around him. -It's beautiful. Then he sees the young woman sitting by the fountain reading a book... -She is b...., then he stops himself and looks at his host, I'm sorry, I did not intend to be rude... The purple eyes twinkle with mischief as they carefully watch Shade... -No offense, Meelaun answers, apology accepted. Then he turns to the woman... -Shanni, we have guests... The woman looks up... -Hello father, really.... Then she sees Shade, purple eyes lock with green ones...there is a short silence then... -Shanni this is Morlacad ShadowHawk, Shade meet Shanni my daughter. The Dark One bows... -My pleasure, My Lady... -Well, Shanni dear we need something to eat, do you think someone in this place could make some arrangements while I show Shade to his rooms. -Sure father, see you both later. Meelaun takes Shade to a small suite of three rooms, all of which lead out into the garden. -We can make this very simple, will you give me your word that you will not try to escape... He looks at Shade...searching... -I give you my word for now. I will let you know in advance if I'm about to try to escape. -That is all I need...there is a bath beeing prepared in the next room for you. When you are finished meet me in the livingroom. With that Meelaun leaves Shade. -- HP : Morgan "the Dreamer" Broman mabr@sweden.hp.com SCA : Morgan deGrey APD-I: Shade ------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is life, but a sequence of fragments of time put together in a random fashion, to create eternity... [R] Shade ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nothing stated here is an official statement by the Hewlett-Packard Corp.