From: rosenje@wkuvx1.bitnet
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [JOI] Reflections, and an Introduction...
Message-ID: <1993May2.233114.7096@wkuvx1.bitnet>
Date: 2 May 93 23:31:14 CDT
References: <1993May1.205952.8639@freenet.carleton.ca>

 	Kyar could feel the presence of another being approaching, but
relaxed when he recognized a familiar aura.  It was Elanon.  A few moments
later, he slipped out of the trees near Aleric, sword at the ready. 

> 	Elanon briefly filled Kyar in on the events that had happened
> in his absence, ending with the visit of the stranger.  He appointed
> Kyar to deal with the man, explaining that he was planning to search
> for Quaeros.  "Call it merely a foolish piece of paranoia," he said, 
> "but I've learnt that it's better to be safe than to regret what could
> have been."
> 	With this, Elanon tossed on his black cape and cowl, and 
> wandered off into the dark of the night, cursing Quaeros for losing
> himself, cursing the newcomer for raising too many worries and questions,
> cursing himself for ever trying to do anything about the world around him.

	Kyar was somewhat concerned.  Elanon seemed to be an a
particularly foul mood, and he hoped the red-haired adventurer would
find his good humor again.
	"Be careful my friend!" Kyar called as Elanon stormed off, but
worried less for the big man's safety than for his peace of mind.  
	With that, Kyar pulled the hood of his great black cload up
over his head, and gathered its folds around his body, leaving only
the silver clasp of his shirt visible beneath.  He had noticed that
many of the party members wore black garments.  "Practical," he
thought.  
	He concetrated again on the Phadra as the trio of warriors
wandered slowly back towards the camp.  He drew in as much of the
power as he could, enjoying the feeling of it in his body.  He thought
back to his days of training as a youth... He had always been
admonished for his lack of discipline in keeping himself in tune with
the power of the Phadra.  He reflected on the events that had
transpired this night... He knew that he had not truly been prepared
for the attack on the camp.  Indeed, if faced with a more serious
adversary he would have been sorely outmatched if alone.
	He thought back to the lessons of his old master.  If back in
the temple he would surely be whipped for his lack of preparedness! 
"Always the power should flow through you, like a waterfall."  the
master told him for the thousandth time.   "Yet you, boy, use the
Phadra like an old tool, getting it out when it is needed, and
forgetting it when your task is done.  You must learn to be one with
the Phadra, and then you will accomplish all that you set out to do. 
Discipline is the key, therefore you will..."   and then the old man
would assign him some impossibly long job, which would take him well
into the night.  The other students would wait up for him, though,
always sure to mercilessly tease the "round eye."  Yet the other
students were insignificant to Kyar-- he alone showed more affinity
for the Phadra than all of the others put together.  He knew this to
be the only reason he was allowed to remain at the school.
	Kyar found himself sinking into the same mood that Elanon
seemed to have been in.  He shook his head as if to clear it, and
glanced over at the demon head Aleric carried by its stringy hair.  As
if for the first time, he seemed to understand the masters lesson. 
His lack of discipline endangered not only himself, but the companions
he grew closer to with each passing day.  He resolved to himself anew
to change, and to pursue his training in the way of the Phadra with
more determination.
	Aleric was a mystery to him.  So strong in the Phadra, yet
unaware of it.  The warrior glided effortlessly through the trees, 
aware of everything around the group.  Kyar kept up his presence sense,
however.  One could never be too careful.
	He glanced over his shoulder at Ildamar.  The ranger moved
silently as well, with a practiced ease.  He seemed to be at one with
the moonlit forest, yet his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.  Kyar
guessed the ranger to be wondering about his lost bride, somewhere on
this strange world that he had travelled to to find her.
	The trio arrived at the camp, finding Laurenth on sentry duty. 
Kyar smiled warmly at the quiet woman in passing, although he doubted
she could see it under his hood.  Then again, one never knew with
mages.  Kyar spotted the stranger near the fire, standing alone.  He
was a large man, much more so than Kyar.
	Kyar walked slowly over to the newcomer, raising both hands to
throw back the hood of his black cloak as he did so.  He stopped a few
feet away, looking up at the taller man.
	"I am Kyar of Ra Kati.  Elanon, the leader of our group, has
asked me to speak to you, and to learn of your intentions here.  You
are welcome, at least for now, but you must forgive us if any have
been... less than polite.  We have had a difficult journey of late.
   Why don't you sit down and tell me about yourself?"  

Jason