Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [G] GateWay Message-ID: <1993Mar24.140435.3182@gacvx2.gac.edu> From: mcutter@gacvx2.gac.edu Date: 24 Mar 93 14:04:35 -0600 >"Flank him." the Minotaur shouts to Roger and Traveler, "The GateWay is only >several blocks away. I will deal with the Gold Elf who operates the device." >Moving forward as the others go alongside Wanderer, Thorr-kan leads them >forward to the GateWay.... As the White Minotaur strides away from the group, Gleep glances back at Wanderer. The pseudo-dragon turns to his large friend and chirps despairingly. He chitters away at Thorr-kan for several seconds, ending on a questioning note. "No, little one. I do not enjoy the prospect of being pawns once more. But we are forewarned. Besides, we are doing this for a friend. Anyone interfering with us will be quite displeased with the results." Gleep is silent for a moment. Then he chirps in solemn determination. Thorr-kan chuckles. "Thank you, my friend. Now, be silent a bit." Making sure his friends are following, the minotaur turns to the GateWay to the Worlds. It seems a small structure for such a place of importance. Thorr-kan approaches two metallic doors, looking at the statues on each side. Gleep hisses threateningly at the crystal. The minotaur halts. Are these perhaps guardians? Irrelevant. He has urgent business inside. ---------- A golden-skinned elf looks up from behind his desk. Many beings have passed through his office, but none such as this. Traveller askes, "May I be of assistance?" Thorr-kan looks down on the elf seated before him. Such a small creature. But he radiates a power that make the White Minotaur uneasy. Thorr-kan clears his throat. "My companions and I wish to use your portal. We have a friend in dire need who must return home immediately." Traveller thinks a moment, then says, "I cannot guarantee your safety. Several weeks ago, monumental magical forces were unleashed in Generica. The GateWay has been... unstable ever since. Are you certain this is wise?" "We have no choice. A life hangs in the Balance." "Very well." The elf rises. "How many are in you group?" Thorr-kan thinks for a moment. All the others have mounts. It might be wise to have mine ready before we leave. "Three humans, myself and my little friend, and four mounts. I have none of the local coin, but there are items I may be willing to trade." "Such as?" asks Traveller. Thorr-kan reaches into one of the pouches at his waist. From it he pulls a fist-sized emerald and a slightly smaller ruby. These are lain on the table. Then, the White Minotaur rummages through his pack for a moment and pulls out three items. Each joins the gems on the table. Traveller examines each gem, and finds them genuine. But the items are what get his attention. One is a small silver brooch, set with a pearl amidst delicate sculpting. The second appears to be a hairnet of some type. It is very finely woven, shimmering as light passes through it. Finally, there is a small key of quartz. The Gold Elf examines each in turn. The brooch he sets aside. "Useful, if not particularly powerful." Next, he examines the hairnet. "Ahhh," he whispers. "Sea-elf workmanship." Thorr-kan nods. "Very rare. And what is this trinket?" he says, referring to the quartz key. Thorr-kan points to the first two items. "These are each useful to mages. This key," lifting it, "is a token of the royal family of Sivanesti. If one presents it to them, that person will receive almost any aid necessary. I have never had use for any of these." Traveller gestures and the items disappear. Another gesture, and the front doors swing open, admitting Roger and Traveler (human, our companion) supporting Wanderer. "Payment is sufficient. Come, bring you animals and follow me." Roger and Thorr-kan gather the mounts of the three humans. "What did you have to pay?" whispers Roger in the moment the two are alone. "Enough," grunts Thorr-kan. "But we can settle that later." The two re-enter the building, pass through the front room into another, larger room in back. Here stands a platform at least twenty feet to a side. In its center rises a large gold oval. Space shimmers within, images cascade across its face, energy crackles from it. The Gold Elf turns to the foursome. "You must enter the GateWay all at once. I suggest you stay close together and be mounted. It will be a rough ride." He approaches Traveler and Wanderer. Gently, he lays both hands on the wounded man's temples. "I feel your agony. But you must concentrate upon your homeland so I can know where to send you." Wanderer nods slightly and grimaces. The energies of the GateWay start to hum, rising to a feverish pitch. Slowly, agonizingly, it settles on one image. Wanderer smiles slightly. "Home!" he whispers. Traveler nods slightly. "Aye, my friend. It will be good to return..." He helps his injured friend to his horse. Roger has already mounted, and Thorr-kan... Thorr-kan is setting a small statuette upon the floor. It flows for a moment, then assumes the shape of a horse of stone. "Hush, Demonwind, hush. It is time once more for us to ride," soothes the White Minotaur. He mounts up and joins the other three. Traveller (the Gold Elf) looks up at the three. "I cannot guarantee your safety. But I shall attempt to keep the GateWay open. If you wish to return, you must find your own way here. I bid you good fortune. May your gods watch over you." With that he steps aside. The four ride abreast into the GateWay... -Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur ******************************************************************************** Peace through strength! Victory through annihilation! Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@nic.gac.edu OR mcutter@vax2.gac.edu Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them! ********************************************************************************