Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 11:41:32 EST From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Message-ID: <94041.114132344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [BBD] Remembrances, and Beginnings [ADMIN: Plot-wise, this follows "[LH][Little Rat] Catching Up...", as well as the last BBD post ("Once Upon Returning Home"). Thanks go to Dan Peters for helping me write this.] Lancos and Bast made their way from the Lighthouse to the Dragon's Inn without incident. Stepping in, they received the usual stares from curious patrons -- in particular the Rabble. Rowan Littlefair gave a casual look at who was coming in, as he did every time the inn's doors opened. However, this time the customer held particular interest for Rowan, enough that he turned the bar over to his wife Mary. The innkeeper stepped beside Lancos just as the ranger was approaching the stairway that led to the room. "Hi Lancos. And of course Bast." Rowan said, giving the cat a small pat on the head. "I'm glad I caught you." "Oh? What's up?" the warrior replied with a look of interest. "Well, first, Tarkyn was looking for you, but since he's not here right now, I suppose that can wait. Second, Kaalzic needs your help. Even if he doesn't know it yet." This brought a puzzled looked from Lancos, to which Littlefair gave a reassuring smile. "Why don't you have a seat, while I bring Kaalzic down?" The ranger nodded, and made his way to the only adorned table in the inn, one which had a chess board imprinted on it. The DragonQuestors' table. For, even though that seemed long ago, and there were many people who couldn't know about it, Lancos had a felling that was how some would always remember it. Still, if Rowan's words were correct, the table would be the starting place for yet another event. * * * * Kaalzic was lying in bed, musing over what to do, both today and in general. Waiting for Yaxan to return was a burden, but so was trying to figure out what to do once that information was his. Sure, he wanted to rescue Myrnien, but he couldn't do it alone, and it would be hard to overcome his natural shyness and ask anyone for help. Especially after his talk with Kryalla had produced little. A knock on his door brought Kaalzic out of his thoughts. The noise was surprising, but considering only the Littlefairs knew this room existed, asking who it was would be unnecessary. Instead, he only put on his mask, and said, "Come in." Rowan strode in with a confident smile. "Kaalzic, I've got someone downstairs waiting to see you. So get yourself out of bed and go talk to Lancos!" Kaalzic's emotions were a mixture of hope and insecurity when he heard he had a visitor. But when he heard who it was, confusion creeped in. "Lancos?" he asked, momentarily wondering if his hearing had been faulty. "Yeah. You told me you needed help with Myrnien, and I know he'll be willing to pitch in whenever..." "But I..." Kaalzic quickly interjected, before remembering that he didn't want Littlefair to know the full details of his dealings with Yaxan. "But nothing." Rowan replied, thinking the painting was just being shy again. "You need to talk to one of these adventurer types I get in here constantly, so why not someone you know? Get down there, before I carry you myself." he smirked, the only show that he was kidding. "All right, I give." Kaalzic smiled behind his mask. "I just hope you know what you're getting me into." * * * * A few minutes later, Kaalzic walked to the table Lancos was at, sticking to the shadows when possible, and generally avoiding eye contact. Once there, he quietly asked, "Er, do you think we could go to the table we were at with Kryalla and the others? I sort of prefer my privacy." "Oh, sure." Lancos agreed with a bit of an embarrassed smile. Once they had relocated to the corner table, Kaalzic only stared away from Lancos, towards his own paintings. The warrior wasn't sure how to take the silence, but decided to speak up. "So, Rowan says you might need for something. What was he talking about?" Keeping his gaze away, the painter replied, "Er, I have a little help already. But what he was talking about was finding Myrnien." "Myrnien?" Lancos repeated, with notable surprise. "I thought everything with BBD had been setlled." The ranger now realized why Kaalzic was looking at the wall -- he was glancing at the hidden image of his sister that he'd put in the painting. Kaalzic now turned to face Lancos. "No. Or at least, she hasn't returned. But I feel she wants to see me. So I'm wondering if the bracelet has some sort of control over her still, if you can believe that." Lancos nodded. After his experience with his medallion, he had no trouble believing items could hold intelligences of their own. "So, do you have any idea where she is?" "No. But I've got someone trying to track her down." "Good. Let me know when they find her, and I'll help you reunite." Kaalzic was disappointed. He wasn't really expecting to see Yaxan again; he had doubts about whether the elf would, or even could, carry out his part of the bargain. He wanted to ask Lancos for help in the search as well as the rescue, but his shyness got the better of him, and he only said, "Thanks. I know I could use the assistance." He cursed himself inwardly for his inability to speak his mind. "No thanks necessary. I should have helped you find her right away. But I guess I got caught up in my own world, so to speak." "Well, I can't fault you there. After all, I tried to talk about this subject with Kryalla, but I couldn't make much headway, except to find she had other things to tend to." "Nevertheless, I pledge my swords to your task." "Swords... That reminds me of another favor I want to ask." This time Kaalzic was determined not to let his shyness get the better of him. "Do you think you could teach me how to handle to sword a little better? I've had little use for such skill most of my life, but the experience with BBd proved it could be useful occasionally." "Sure. Though I'm not sure how much I could do for you. Especially today, considering I've already worked out fairly hard earlier. But I'll do whatever I'm able." "Really? Because I doubt I can pay for such lessons or anything." "Money's not that important to me. But if it is to you, we'll work out something eventually. Shall we start today?" Kaalzic shrugged. "Sure. Just let me fetch the sword I use, and we can begin." * * * * A few hours passed. Rowan had allowed them to practice in a private back room, one of the few places drawn weapons might be permitted in the inn. An archery competition had occurred here shortly after recording of events started for Generica [ADMIN: in other words, shortly after a.p.d-i began], but it was put to quite the different use today. Lancos' words had proved true, about how much he could assist Kaalzic today. To his credit, the painter didn't have an gigantic faults. The warrior was able to change Kaalzic's grip to something more flexible, and balance out his stance somewhat. However, the main thing the painter needed was experience. Perhaps only that could teach him exactly where to attack or parry, though Lancos gave a few general guidelines. The ranger knew Kaalzic's hardest early lessons might come from any wounds he received. So Lancos focussed a bit on defense, hoping the painter could soon learn to at least hold his own in battle. Lancos was beginning to go over how to hanlde feints, when Littlefair reappeared. As soon as the two stopped, Rowan announced, "You have another visitor, Kaalzic. He claims to have some business with you." "All right. We'll be right out, if that's all right with Lancos." The warrior was surprised to hear a note of eagerness in Kaalzic's voice. He nodded. "Further lessons can wait. Besides, a break would be good for both of us." As they left the room, an elf -- whom Lancos didn't recognize -- approached Kaalzic. "I found her," he said casually. "You know where Myrnien lives?" Kaalzic asked. Yaxan nodded. "Great!" Lancos replied. "Then you can lead us there right away." Yaxan paid little attention to the ranger's admittance of involvement. After all, Yaxan had pegged Kaalzic as someone not used to fighting, so getting help made sense. Instead, he put on a wicked smile and said, "Sorry, but the job was only to report where she was. Leading you there will cost extra." Kaalzic was speechless Lancos suddenly realized where Kaalzic's money had gone. "Well, if you're going to be greedy, just tell me where it is, and I can find it myself." Yaxan kept his smile, being used to this sort of exchange. "Are you sure? I guarantee this place is remote." "Well then, lead us there, and I'll pay you depending on how useful you are." Yaxan's decision was easy. Even a little money was better than none. "Fair enough. Then after Kaalzic here pay the rest of the money he owes me..." "Wait!" spluttered Kaalzic. "That wasn't the deal. I said I would pay you after checking that you led us to the right place." "That's not how I remember it," said Yaxan, his grin broadening. "You _do_ want to find her, don't you?" Kaalzic was too frustrated to speak, but abruptly Yaxan stopped smiling. Apparently he had noticed the dangerous look in Lancos' eyes. "All right, all right," said Yaxan. "I give up. Whenever you're ready?" "I'm already set," Lancos said, turning towards Kaalzic. The painter nodded. "Just let me get the money, and some other supplies, and I'll be ready, too." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu Feedback (comments, questions, etc) always appreciated.