From: richk@tekeda.PEN.TEK.COM (Richard C Kurschner)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [L&S] The Party: A Klepto is Found
Message-ID: <8840@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM>
Date: 18 Feb 93 22:17:11 GMT

"What are you doing?" asked the Captain.

She quickly put the silver mirror back on the dresser and turned towards the
man who had entered so quietly.  "Oh! You startled me!"  Her look was
accusatory.

"Obviously."

"Isn't this house beautiful?  I'm just so happy for Luthor and Serene,
aren't you?"  The small woman made wide, sweeping gestures attempting to
encompass the whole house from the small bedroom.

"Yes."

"I know, I am too.  And this party is so much fun.  The music and the 
dancing..."  She started moving towards the door.

"You still haven't answered my question," he said, steping to block her escape.

"What's that?"

"What are you doing?"

"Well, I'm having a good time like everyone else.  What are you doing?"

"Please empty your pockets on that table."

"I beg your pardon?"

"My accent and impediment are not that bad, you understood what I said."

"But..."  His look cut her off, and with resignation she started to fish in
the deep pockets of her pants.  Shortly she brought out a tin of make-up, a
small, cheap mirror, a couple of copper coins, and a bit of lint.  She looked
up at him with a smile, as if to say, "See?"

"Empty them."

With a pout marring her pixie-ish face, she pulled out several items that quite
obviously did not belong to her.  A leather pouch with Serene's personal mark
on it, a gold comb, make-up, perfume, and a silver writing quill.

"Now can I leave?"  Her attitude had changed from light-hearted to angry.

"Empty all of them."

Her blue eyes went wide with surprise, and then with a sigh, she reached inside
her puffed blouse, and pulled out a silver dagger and two silver framed
pictures.

"What are you going to do to me?"

"Just what you deserve."  He took her firmly by her wrist, out into the hall,
and down the back stair case.  No need to parade her through the main party
areas.  When they reached the basement, he lead her to an unused store room
to lock her in.  She could stay there until Luthor and Serene decided what
to do with her.

"Who are you?"

She looked away and sniffed.

"Who are you?"  Louder this time, and he pulled her arm so that she had to
look him in the eye.

Tears were running down her face.  "I'm Trina Fallcraft, and I'm from a little
farming village.  I've never been to a big city before.  And then that night
when that nice Luthor made his offer in the Inn, I just knew I had to come see
his house.  And then I didn't know anybody here so I started wandering around.
I never knew they had a basement.  And the things they have are so pretty,
I couldn't help myself.  And then you found me, and ... I don't know...  Please
don't leave me here!"

Her body was trembling as he let go of her; she was really scared.  As he
locked the door behind him, he could hear her sobbing.  Poor thing, probably
never stole anything before in her life; she must be even younger than Serene.

He found Luthor, and explained the situation to him briefly.  Then the Captain
went to the buffet table.  He gathered up a couple of slices of 'Raelf's
'pitza', a bowl of Serene's 'popped-corn', some elven puffed pastries, and a
mug of apple cider.  

"Hungry Captain?" asked Serene.  Then, with a smile, "Save some for the
guests!"  He quietly told her of the 'discovery' he had made and left.

Back down in the basement he opened the store room door.  She was huddled in
a corner.  The way she looked at him as he entered, he could tell she was
dreading what form of torture he might be bringing. Surprise was evident in her
face when he gently pulled her up by her hand and gave her the food.  She just
stood there while he moved in a cot, a pillow, and some blankets.

"Since you came to a party, you might as well enjoy a little of it," he said
to her unspoken question.  He turned and headed for the door.