Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: pjgeer@mothra.syr.EDU (Phillip J. Geer) Subject: [Raoh] Who's THAT guy??? Message-ID: <1993Mar25.151921.19497@newstand.syr.edu> Date: Thu, 25 Mar 93 15:19:21 EST Up to this point, Rustan hadn't said much to anyone. He mainly kept to himself, doing a few odd chores without being asked and scouting ahead from time to time. If anyone spoke to him, he answered with a grunt or a nod. Rustan wanted to understand what motivated the members of the group, particularly Sir Lance and his companion Blaze. Rustan felt that he could learn to like the somewhat aloof warrior, but Blaze the sorceress was another matter. Rustan believed that all warlocks could bear watching, seeing as they were all corrupted, so he thought, by the demon forces contracted to do their bidding. He decided he would soon have to have a talk with this Blaze to find out what forces she really pacted with. >Suddenly, Shadow awoke and started sniffing in Brycur's >direction, bristling and emitting a slight growl. Brycur turned fast and >drew his sword. Something was out there, in the trees and bushes. He >listened more closely. The stir of a single leaf would not go unnoticed. > A snap Brycur heard above his head. The merchant quickly slashed >the branch directly above him and rolled out of the way. He turned to >see his suspicions correct: the group was being watched. > The fallen man shook his head and stood. Before he could move >anywhere, though, Brycur pointed his sword toward the man's sternum and >said, "I wouldn't try anything were I in your shoes, buster!" Rustan leaped from his bedroll and crouched low, blackjack in hand as terrifying fears raced through his mind like stampeding wild horses. The Enemy, his own personal enemy, had finally gotten the drop on him. He had been completely and totally surprised and now it looked as though he would have to pay for his carelessness with his life. > "Please," the man said, in a serious voice, "I mean you no harm." > Suddenly, from behind the man, Sir Lance said, "Brycur, what has >happened?" The rest of the group was awakened by Shadow's growling and >the racket cause when the branch fell. > Brycur, not letting his eyes off the man, said, "I found this >person snooping around, Sir Lance. Says he wants to know why we are >here." Rustan stood up and lowered his weapon in relief. Taking in great gulps of air, he tried to relax. Eventually his pusle returned great gulps of air, he tried to relax. Eventually his pulse returned to normal and he was able to stop grinding his teeth. "Quite a rude awakening," he mumbled. Absently he reached for the special pipe of fresh air the old bearded guy from Broadmoor had given him and then decided against it. I'm getting too attached to the stuff, using it far too often, he thought. So he splashed some water on his face instead. Then, although still sort of befuddled with sleep, he tried to follow the conversation. > Blaze then said, "I _could_ manefest a steel bar or something, >although it would disappear in a minute or two." With that, she started >chanting under her breath. A few seconds later, a 4-foot-long steel bar >appeared in front of Brycur. Brycur picked up the bar and brought it >over to Ray, holding it firm. > Ray stood up, and started to move his arms like a ninja. Light >streams appeared from his fingertips as he moved them quickly. Suddenly, >Ray yelled out and, with a sweeping motion, flashed his hands across the >bar. > The bar was still appeared in one piece. Brycur was just about >to laugh when the bar severed into little pieces like they were cut by a >steaming hot knife. He dropped the last piece in amazement. The pieces >then disappeared. Rustan's eyes widened in amazement, then narrowed. Who was this strange fellow Ray, and what was he REALLY after? But most of all, was this the dreaded Enemy he had been fleeing for 8 long years, come at last to deliver the punishment promised long ago? Was this Ray, in actuality, the Avenger of Blood? ^^^^ Phil pjgeer@rodan.acs.syr.edu