From: fannicm@wkuvx1.bitnet (Master Hawk)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [ST][Party] Mel and Redlin arrive.
Message-ID: <1993Mar4.105220.6183@wkuvx1.bitnet>
Date: 4 Mar 93 10:52:20 CST

   The horse drawn carriage slowly plodded up the hill towards Luthor's
elven house. Even from the carriage window the houses looked magnificent.
Through the gaps in the trees Melandra spotted their target. A beautiful
Elven house with the entire structure composed of wood and still living
trees. Elves, no other race would take the time and put in the work required
to bend and shape the very living trees other than elves. Indeed, most would
just have uprooted all the trees and built over the land. It was this respect
for nature that Melandra could understand but the patience and time taken
over it were beyond her. She gazed out the window at the lines of the houses
that reminded her so much of home. All the trees stood proud in the gardens,
well tended and varying in type. For an Elf, this was the closest she had
seen to a proper home, a home made in conjunction with nature, rather than
the blocks of stone and land clearing that destroyed everything around them
as humans were want to do. This was the sort of house where she could die
happy in her self imposed exile.
   The horses stopped outside the door of the house and the coachman dropped
down from his seat to the ground. He walked around the coach's side and
opened the door. Redlin popped out of the coach first and proffered his hand
to the Elf inside the cabin. It was lightly taken and Melandra stepped out of
the carriage.
   The front of the house stood before them, welcoming them inside. The door
was opened by an unfamiliar figure clad in a set of black clothes that seemed
to grab the light. " Hello, do come in". The door was closed behind them and
Mel turned to talk to the gentleman.
   " Hello, we were invited to Luthor and Serene's party. I'd like to find
one of them so I can give them my presents".
   " Then you don't have to look far. I am Luthor Anside, and you, if I am
not mistaken, are Melandra Flametree and Redlin. I appreciated your helping in
defending the Inn.
   " Oh, my apologise for not realising who you were. You are indeed not
mistaken. It is a pleasure to be invited to such a wonderful house. If you would
allow me, I would give you this". Mel, placed her hand on the waist and seemed
to fumble at the inside of her belt. From within it, she drew a small cutting
in a tiny pot. " I would like you to have this small token of my appreciation.
I was going to give you a dagger to help you protect your new house, but now I
have seen it, I feel that this would be a more appropriate gift and one I wish
to make. The cutting is taken from my Clan's lifetree and was to be planted when
I felt like settling down somewhere. But having seen this house I feel there is
nowhere better for it grow than here. Treat it with kindness and it will repay
that kindness tenfold. I, and my family would deem it an honour if you would
accept it".
   " I will happily accept your gift. It will be well looked after in my
gardens, I can assure you.
   " Thank you, perhaps you can tell me where Serene is as I have a
present for her as well. I hope she likes it".
   " I, too, have a gift or two:  one for Mista and one for you and your
companion.  These gifts are not quite as meaningful as those of my companion,
but they are given with a kind heart."  At this point, Redlin reached into
his pouch, pulling out a small ball made of a pale blue crystal.  In his
hands it began to darken, dark red swirls twining through it. He smiled
faintly, " It never did like me very much.  This mind crystal is my gift to
Mista:  it should provide fine entertainment. They are used in some places
to determine how strong the mental abilities of children are, it glows
rather brightly and sings to some who are exceptionally gifted."  He
extended his hand toward Luthor, who took the bauble in his hand.  Quickly
the colors shifted from the deep red swirls to a rich golden hue.
   After Luthor took the crystal from his hand, Redlin reached back into
his pouch, pulling out a silvery bird about the size of his palm.  Its
metallic body had been crafted in such intricate detail that it appeared
to actually be alive.  Redlin reached up and lightly scratched it at the
back of its neck.  The beautiful little bird raised its head from its chest
and streched its wings, just as if it had just awakened from a deep sleep.
It opened its beak and a high trilling voice emerged, " Hello, Redlin, do
you plan on introducing me to your friends?"
   " Of course Susan, this distinguished gentleman you see in known as
Luthor Anside, whom I'm sure you will soon get to know better, and this
lovely young maiden at my side is Melandra Flametree..."
   " Are you dating younger women again, Redlin?  You know that is not
nice!"
   " Hey, I'm over 40, I'm not a kid anymore. I'm old enough to be his
mother if I wasn't an Elf. Younger women...huh...Cheek!"
   Susan appraised the pretty young elf for a moment, " Deary, that man is
older than you could possibly imagine."
   " Shh, a man should have at least half as many secrets as a woman!  As
you can see, Luthor, Susan is rather friendly and very knowledgable, very
intelligent and likeable, but I seldom have the time to enjoy such fine
company, I hope that perhaps you might offer her a home and in turn she
can be a very nice addition to your household.  Susan, do you think that
you would like it here?"
   The small metal bird made a show of looking around, its small eyes
finally resting on Luthor, " I think that choice is his, Redlin."
-- 
Joint posting between Melandra Flametree and Myself with thanks to Dreamer.

--Master Hawk--( 4-MAR-1993 10:52 )--