From: jcp@bazooka.usacs.rutgers.edu (Jonathan Petersen) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Ga] The Storm Hits Home: Hawksholme Message-ID: Date: 8 Apr 93 18:49:06 GMT Zebron led the group to the mouth of the cavern. As each walked out onto the steep trail leading down the mountain, each was overcome by the sheer beauty of the picturesque view. From here they could see for miles. And as they watched, they saw a terrible storm rushing through the skies of Generica. Dark, evil looking clouds spoke of their power in thunderous claps as lightning played across their black forms, occasionally spilling forth onto the ground as monsterous arcs of energy. The clouds were approaching with increasing speed, but behind the first clouds was a sea of blackness in the heavens, letting all know that this storm would not be over any time soon. "We best get inside," cautioned Alaric, and none contradicted the wise words of the ranger. One by one they turned around and headed back into Jaru's cave until only Khisanth and Zebron stood watching the awesome spectacle before them. "I hope Mathew is alright," murmured Khisanth, half to her drow companion and half to herself. "I'm sure he is," the dark elf replied, "His path led him elsewhere, for now. I'm sure we will meet him again. And perhaps we will all be a bit wiser from our separate journies." Dusk settled himself against Zebron's neck as the wind picked up. The storm was coming closer. "I hope you're right," said Khisanth as she turned to join the others inside. "I hope so, too," muttered Zebron. The dark elf stood and watched the storm for a few more minutes, enjoying the wonderous sight that he would never have seen had he remained in his native Underdark, deep in the bowels of a far away world. But that memory, combined with the scene before him, brought a vivid image to the drow: the mountain range where his home was, where he first emerged onto the surface, surrounded by black clouds of energy. The dark elf did not understand exactly what the image meant, only that he should return soon to investigate. Slowly Zebron turned and entered the cave. As he did so, Mardan, Brent, and Alaric closed the sturdy wooden door and barred it with a stout beam. The drow could not help a smile from coming to his face. Here they were, holing themselves up against a storm in a cave with a powerful hermit who obviously knew more about what was going on than they did. The proverbial rock and a hard place? Or maybe out of the frying pan and into the fire? Whatever it was, Zebron was being forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. To a renegade drow, he was most comfortable with the situation. Zebron walked to the small fire where some rock lizards were being roasted and Jaru told his tale to the random cadence of the crackling of the fire as each warmed himself against the chill winds that heralded the great storm. -jak