Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1993 12:57:36 EDT
From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Message-ID: <93285.125736344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [INN] Catching Up with Zebron... And More Old Friends

[ADMIN: Things have gotten kind of confusing lately, though that can happen
even when Delerium _doesn't_ make a visit :-)!  Anyway, as I see it, Zebron
wasn't asleep as Mitchell thought, but instead lost in thought, a condition
Brent's arrival cured.  Now watch as I try to fit in several events with
my ideas...]

>"Brent!  Well met, old friend.  Please, have a seat, if you can find one."
>called the drow, rising from his chair and giving the guardsman a big hug.
>Dusk cawed happily, and flew to Brent's shoulder.
Brent was surprised at the amount of emotion behind the response, but wasn't
reluctant to return it.  'Fortunately,' he remarked to himself, 'There always
seems to be enough toom at the Dragon's Inn, no matter _how_ many arrive.'

He gave a wave to Mitchell upon being introduced, though the mage seemed
preoccupied with the various foods and drinks around him.  The guard then
refocused his attention on Zebron's words.

>"You ask for the tale of my travels since last we spoke, and this I will
>give, and gladly.

Brent sat back as Zebron spoke.  He became so captured by the words, and
by seeing the Drow again, that he didn't really notice Mitchell leave the
table.  The thief said nothing until Zebron finished with:

>"That, dear friend, is my tale.  After I recovered and paid my respects for
>the dead, I set out for the Dragon's Inn, where I have been for the past
>few days.  How have you fared since last we met, friend?"

"I'll be happy to answer that question, but first I feel I must say
something.  You know, you remind me of another friend of mine in Generica,
one Lancos Erredan.  Particularly in downplaying your role in things, and in
having an animal inside, which is barely kept out at times.  And I suppose
I can understand the former point, neither of my jobs allowing room to have
too high an ego --  considering what could happen if you become too
overconfident --, and both having reasons why fame isn't necessarily good.

"But really.  I don't know about you, but I've certainly seen people or
beings killed that were better in heart than what that dragon must have
been, and for less of a reason than revenge.  Take Generica for instance:
there's people in the Low City that like to kill children, or women, or
whomever comes along, simply because they're breathing in the area.  In
my opinion, it's your intent, and the fact that you care so much about
this, that really counts.  I'm not asking you to forget about what you
feel you did wrong, since that may be impossible.  But I _would_ like you
to put this in the proper place, behind you.  Life goes on, for better
or worse...

"Anyway, you asked me about my recent experiences.  And actually, things
have been fairly quiet, though they don't look to stay that way.  I suppose
the main thing you might want to know is that I've gained my position in
both fields, and their trust in me."  the half-elf pointed to his uniform,
which Zebron noticed bore the mark of a corporal, instead of its former
private.  "Part of that was due to... ahem, shall we say making contact
with another city, and getting some valuable information from there." Brent
gave a wide smile.

Then the guard noticed a pair of figures, and quickly spoke up.  "Well,
well, this must be a reunion of sorts.  It seems Khisanth and Alaric might
also join us." he motioned Zebron and Dusk's eyes towards the duo, and
waved to them to join the group.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu
SAQ: "'Though I can not forget, I do not have to remember.'"Lancos/me