Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: rudnick@cfatrw.harvard.edu (Bret Rudnick) Subject: [VampQ] Starting the Quest Message-ID: Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1993 00:10:24 GMT Tomonobu Fujiwara stared for a moment at the array of seafood set before him. Cooked beyond all recognition, he said to himself. He pushed the plate away in disgust and rose from his table at the Dragon's Inn. Most people sat quietly while they meditated but Tomonobu liked to pace. And besides, the only table available was in the open. Corner tables are booked months in advance here, apparently. He walked the few steps to the bulletin board, then back to his table, back and forth, back and forth. He took in the sights and sounds of the inn all at the same time, while letting his mind focus on his current problem. Where has that _yaroo_ got to? As he faced the bulletin board again something made him pause. He surveyed the notices. The usual array of offers, he thought. Some looked intriguing, but he had no time for them. But this one... this one was not there a moment ago! He looked at the small notice carefully. It seemed to shimmer and entice the eye. It didn't even appear to be made out of paper but rather some sort of thin metal. It said: =================================================== | Generica Wizard Seeks Adventurers | | for Botanical Expedition | | --- | | Reward Paid Commensurate with Need | | --- | | Experience with Undead Helpful but not Required | =================================================== "Hm," he said out loud. His eyes gleamed at the mention of Undead. "Sounds interesting. Too bad I don't have the time. And I doubt he could supply the reward I require. And no address! What do you expect from a wizard?" At that moment the afternoon light that had been streaming in from the front door was obscured. A huge shape blocked it. It was a Loxorian, an elephantine warrior. The room became very quiet was the Loxorian kneeled down to put his head through the door. He scanned the room, and his eyes settled on Tomonobu. The creature pointed at him. Tomonobu looked to his left, then right. Unfortunately, there was no doubt. He was the one singled out. The elephantine warrior beckoned. No point in endangering innocent lives, he thought, and followed. The Loxorian made sure Tomonobu was following and turned down Dragon's Lane in the direction of the Plaza of Glittering Steel. Tomonobu stopped and addressed the creature. "Are we to fight in the street? Have you challenged me? I shall likely give you poor sport." The Loxorian turned and snorted. "No challenge." he said simply. "Umach O calls." He then beckoned again. Tomonobu followed as they turned at the Plaza onto the Arcade of Fountains. They walked past the library and then to a large house shaped like a featureless pyramid. Just as it seemed the Loxorian would walk into a wall, a doorway appeared and he proceeded through it, without hesitation. Tomonobu followed. When he walked through the doorway he found himself in a dimly lit reception room. Only the centre of the room was lit, and Tomonobu got the impression the room itself was much bigger than he could see. The Loxorian showed him a straw mat to sit upon facing a large plain screen, then disappeared into the darkness. Tomonobu withdrew the longsword from his belt and knelt. After a moment, he heard a faint hissing noise from the other side of the screen. The other side of the screen became brighter, and he could see a rough outline of a man in shadow on the other side. "Greetings... Fujiwara-no-Tomonobu..." came a voice. It sounded strained, artificial, almost metallic. The words came haltingly. "You... showed... interest ... in my ... notice..." "So I did," the warrior answered. "But I have not the time --" "But... you do..." a pause, and the sound of a weary, long breath being drawn. "I... know... who... you... seek... I... can show... you... where... to find... him..." "Indeed. But few here know my name. The only wizard who does, and the one I seek, could be you behind that screen." There was a rasping sort of laughter. "This... screen... is as... much... for your... protection... as mine... An... experiment... gone wrong... I require... the essence... of the... Vampire Orchid... to restore... my health..." "Your power seems great. You cannot obtain it yourself? "I have... no power... in the land... where it dwells... Your experience... in such matters... is known... to me..." "A long journey?" "Not long... difficult... I shall finance... the expedition... and grant your reward... on your return..." "But if you know --" "Your enemy... knows naught... of you here... I shield you... from him... for now... If you succeed... you must deal... with him... on your own..." Tomonobu considered the proposition for a moment. Any business with wizards was bad business, in his opinion. Still, this one offered what he wanted most, and he certainly seemed to be able to deliver. He did not feel threatened or intimidated. His dislike for magic in the past had honed his senses for treachery. "I shall take you at your word and accept the warrant," he replied formally and bowed. "Excellent... Return to... the inn... and recruit... the aid... you think... you will need... Funds and supplies... will be sent... along... with... further... information..." The light dimmed again, and the Loxorian escorted him outside. Tomonobu returned alone to the inn. Admin: If you are interested in the above and would like to join the thread, please e-mail me. -- |----B. Rudnick -- e-mail: rudnick@cfatrw.harvard.edu -------| |-------------------------------------------------------------| | Perfect health is simply dying at the slowest possible rate | |-------------------------------------------------------------|