From: fogelinc@pt.Cyanamid.COM (Carl Fogelin)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Roots] And with these words I do thee...
Date: 12 Oct 1993 02:01:04 GMT
Message-ID: <29d350$h9k@c3po.jvnc.net>

[ ADMIN: I think the "Observing" designation for Crombie Knaks has been ]
[ completed for awhile; it arose during the [Storm].  Since this post   ]
[ introduces a new direction for Crombie, and the beginings for a new   ]
[ adventure, the [Observing] is dropped for the new designation: Roots. ]

It was around mid-day when Crombie entered the Temple of Ilmater.  He had
come to visit Father Kraton, to learn what he had found out about that
elven waif he'd rescued during the storm.  He'd also come to visit the
child, as he was starting to grow quite fond of her.

Like last time and the time before that, Crombie was met by an acolyte
and led to Father Kraton's ante-chamber.  He knew that he was early and
that the clergyman was probably leading prayers.  Looking at his chrono-
meter, Crombie figured he had at least an hour before the father would
show up.  That wasn't a problem, Crombie had much to think about.

*****

He thought about the previous night and the story he had told about his
upbringing.  It was a time that he loathed to recount, and yet he had
told a bunch of strangers of his childhood angst, and of his current 
position in the Empire.  Never in his past 22 years had he ever told 
anyone in the cultures he observed anything like that.  

And yet it seemed right.  That was the thing that puzzled Crombie the
most.  He felt more in tune with the people in Nexus, at least in Generica.
It was like he had cast his alienism away through sharing his memories and
had come closer to be being part of civilization he was observing.  Very
strange...

They seemed to be good people, the ones who shared their stories.  Some
humerous, some serious, nail-biting, dramatic, or just plain silly.  And
then there was that boisterous drinking challenge... best drink ever.
Smiling inwardly, Crombie decided he liked that pub.  Less moody than
the Nesters Inn, but less outrageous than the Net & Trident.  The clientele
seemed more in-tune with living life than the daily chores of survival.
He'd have to return there, of that he was sure.

That "golden" colored elf who sponsored the story telling, what was his 
name... Luthor, yah, that's it.  Crombie thought that his skin color was
similar to that of the elven waif he found in the storm.  He wondered if
"golden" skinned elves were common, or was the tone hereditary.  Thinking
about Luthor and the child reminded him where he was.  He broke out of
thought, and as if on cue, the door to Father Kraton's office was opened
and he was invited in.

*****

"... she still hasn't talked, though we can find nothing physically wrong
with her," said Father Kraton.  "We've checked her magically and can find
no curse nor similar tamperings, although there are indications of some sort
of... how shall I say it, divine influence?"  Looking up at Crombie, Father
Kraton continued, "It is very difficult to tell whether that was 
directed at her, or she just happened to be in the area."  Then, after
leafing through his notes one last time, he folded his hands and said
"Who's to say whether those old signs are even related?"

Crombie was sitting on the opposite side of Father Kraton's desk, the elven
waif beside him.  The priest had just been relaying the child's condition and
many of the puzzles that Crombie had were yet to be resolved.  Crombie had
long ago got over his shock that she had been a slave, someones property.
Now he was more meditative, searching for the root of his concerns.

Sitting back in his chair, Crombie wondered, perhaps for the thousandth time,
"Who was she?  Where did she come from?  Why couldn't she speak?" and most
importantly, "Why did he feel he had to do something for her?"  It was at
least a month since the storm and he visited her two to three times a week.
During that time he had grown quite fond of the child, like an Uncle who 
finally has met his only niece.

"Father," Crombie finally replied, "in some cultures it is believed that if
you save someone's life, you are responsible for them."  Looking over towards
the child, "I find this whole situation very strange, having been a bachelor
most of my life.  I feel I should take on the onus of finding her home, her
family.  Life has been very cruel to her, and maybe the concern of a relative
stranger like me will help erase some of her memories of hardships."

Father Kraton nodded his head, like he expected that kind of response, but
he continued.  "You are taking on a lot of responsibility, my son.  Are you
sure you're up to such a task?"  Crombie turned towards the child and looked
at her, silently asking "Well?"

She looked back at him and smiled, nodding her head "yes".  Looking back at
the priest, Crombie said "I feel obligated.  Besides, it's very rare that 
you can take on a noble cause."  Looking back to the girl, he said "I swear
that I will do everything within my power to help you find your family,
your people.  This is a pledge I do not take lightly, and give freely"

The room grew deathly quiet and then a mild glow appeared around Crombie
and the girl.  "Issek has given you his blessing" said a startle Father
Kraton.  Then in a firmer voice, "Your oath is taken as binding, your 
mission is noble, and your motives are pure.  Go in peace son, daughter,
and may your search be fruitful."

As Crombie and the girl was leaving the temple, Father Kraton said "Son,
let me give you a little advice.  You must be careful where you make a
pledge.  Temples tend to be more binding, as you have just witnessed."
With that the priest blessed them, for a safe trip.

*****

Father Kraton's acolyte Arotan had recommended to Crombie that there was
a hostel where the girl could stay, run by a religious order.  Crombie had
to do some research, to find a place to start.  His boat was too small to
house the girl and it was all too likely his home contact would find out
about her.  He figured that he would go to that hostel and make the appro-
priate arrangements.

Outside the temple, Crombie squatted down so he could look at the girl
face to face.  "I need to call you something, but there doesn't seem
to be any way for you to tell me your name.  Do you mind if I call you
Eve?"

The girl smiled, and indicated that was fine.

Standing back up, he took her hand and they started walking north.  As 
they passed through the Arcade of Unforgotten Heroes,  Crombie could
see some commotion ahead.  There seem to be some large purple and green 
monster being attacked by a bunch of people in robes.  Crombie looked
at first puzzled and then concerned at Eve, who just shrugged and started
dragging Crombie towards the scene.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Carl Fogelin (fogelinc@pt.cyanamid.com)   "All opinions are strictly mine" 

   Up the long ladder and down the short rope,
   To Hell with King Billy and God bless the Pope. -- traditional