Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: rudnick@cfatrw.harvard.edu (Bret Rudnick) Subject: [VampQ] Shadows in the Night Message-ID: Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 14:59:47 GMT ==================================================== [VampQ] Shadows in the Night Admin: [This post is a joint effort involving: Alan Smith (Ja'nis) Joe Carl (Mathew Gabriel Dawnstrider) Master Hawk (Moria Runecaster) Matt Hebert (Matte Kudasai) John [JGE] (Billy the Torch) Bluestar Dreamer (Bluestar Dreamer) Bret Rudnick (Tomonobu Fujiwara) Synopsis: A group of adventurers are leaving Generica to begin their search for the mysterious Vampire Orchid.] =================================================== The party gathered near a cluster of outbuildings behind the Dragon's Inn. There was some last minute adjustment of packs, redistribution of loads, and whispered talk. Moria moved to the front position of the group, knowing that none of the others had the ability to compete with her mastery of the night. Ja'nis moved smoothly in behind her, sliding into a supporting position naturally. Tomonobu looked up at the sky and sniffed the air. It felt like a storm was coming -- a big one. There was something unnatural about it. No moons or stars could be seen, for heavy dark clouds obscured the midnight sky. Although the air was very calm where they were, the clouds above were racing past very quickly. "Wizards work," he hissed. Bluestar didn't like being relegated to the ranks, and decided to stay near Tomonobu so he could move quickly wherever needed. His cloak turned a dirty shade of grey to blend in with the dark streets. On a mental command, Gemini leapt from Blue's shoulder and moved past Moria to scout the road ahead. The small cat was quickly lost from view. Mathew stood tall in the darkness. His frame was a full head above the others, even if they weren't skulking along. His confident demeanour lent strength to the group. Mathew spoke softly in response to Tomonobu's curse. "It was wizard's work that caused the death of my father less than a year ago. I have no love for the devilish work of their less reputable kind either." A flash of lightning overhead illuminated the group, revealing Mathew fingering a locket around his neck and a far-off look of remembrance. "If we're gonna get outta here without being seen, I think I know the way," said Billy. "No horses?" Bluestar asked, a bit surprised. "Horses are useless in the dense forest where we're going," Tomonobu replied. "Besides, a mighty 'samurai' like yourself shouldn't have any trouble walking," he added, a bit sarcastically. Bluestar's eyebrow arched slightly as he considered a retort. Before he could respond, Moria interrupted. Moria turned back to Tomonobu and Bluestar, making gestures to keep silent. She sent a psychic message to them: [It is difficult to hear over your voices. Perhaps silence is in order?] Bluestar glared at the Drow. Who was she to lecture him on stealth techniques? Even without my cloak, I I could sneak up on a hoard of Drow, Bluestar thought, his anger tinting his cloak red. [Yes,] Gemini commented telepathically, [But listen to yourself. I can hear you half a block away!] Dreamer considered the reprimand and himself. Paying attention now, the elf concentrated on the sounds he was making. The slight drag of his moccasin on the road, his sleeve riding across his chain mail, even his cloak, which reflected his emotions and intent (and quite capable of being completely silent), was making the slightest of whispers. Not good at all. Blue shook his head at the sloppy technique and redoubled his efforts. His rustling hair was the last sound he made. The city appeared quiet, its night as calm as the surface of a stagnant pond. As the group of adventurers moved quietly into the dank night, it was all too apparent to some of them that the very fabric of their existence would not mold with the darker side of this city, especially Mathew. Moria quickly traced a menagerie of softly glowing runes in the air and almost as one, the eyes of the city looked elsewhere. The group continued on, ignored by Generica's darker inhabitants. Billy led them to the outskirts of the city. His thorough knowledge of the back streets and alleys ensured they got to the city gates quietly and undetected. Just as they were about to pass through the gate Tomonobu made a routine count of the group and came up one short. The little girl with the big feet was missing. "Matte!" he whispered. "Where's Matte Kudasai?" No one had noticed her slip away, yet they were certain she had been with them when they left the inn. Reluctant to ask aloud if any of the others had seen her, they gestured to one another and the frustration level grew higher as each expressed ignorance. Mathew was about to offer his tracking skills in aid of locating the missing Matte, but before they could change plans or break their silence, Moria noticed a stick floating in the air. She waved for Blue to look, and the stick placed itself firmly in the earth and quietly drew a smiling face in the dirt. The excellent eyes of the elves could make out the sign, and they passed assurance on to the others. Matte was with them, at least in spirit. As the party left the black walls of the city, relief washed over them. Their departure went well, and none marked their passing. It would be difficult to follow their trail from the dark confines of the city walls, for the party was again taking steps, almost instinctively it seemed, to make their actions seem natural and fitting to the new environment. With the looming shadow of the city slowly growing smaller behind them, the group bade the city farewell. Ja'nis lagged behind to ensure no one noticed their leaving. As she too left the city gates a guardsman, on a break from his watch, approached her. "'Bye Murray," she said. "You're leaving?" Murray asked. "I thought you were shacking up with that dark islander fella." "Gracious, no. We were just friends, and I don't think he likes me anymore. I think he blames me for... Gunther." "Right," Murray nodded. "Men do that. Well, good luck. I'll keep an eye peeled for you. After that last dice game, you still owe me some money." Ja'nis smiled in return, and vanished into the night. -- |----------B. Rudnick -- e-mail: rudnick@cfatrw.harvard.edu --------| |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream -- E.A. Poe | |--------------------------------------------------------------------|