Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsrelay.iastate.edu!news.iastate.edu!vincent1.iastate.edu!kmwilcox From: kmwilcox@iastate.edu (K M Wilcox) Subject: [KV] Storms and other snags Message-ID: Summary: King Vayne experiences a storm, and Alison makes a discovery. Keywords: king vayne Sender: news@news.iastate.edu (USENET News System) Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 16:52:24 GMT Lines: 73 "What's happening here?" King Vayne ("Long live King Vayne!") yelled, trying to maintain his balance and his last meal as the ship sways back and forth. "Alison! Get in here!" "You called, Sir?" Alison asked as she tumbled into his cabin. "Why is the ship tossing like this?" he stammered, clawing his way onto his berth and clutching it tightly. "There's a storm," she told him. "In fact, it's customary for the captain to be abovedeck in a storm." "You do it," he said. "You be captain tonight." "Really, Sir, I think you should at least try," Alison suggested. "It will set such a great example for the crew." "Fine, then. I'll make an appearance. Give me a hand." Alison took King Vayne by the arm and dragged him up to the deck. "Men!" he addressed. "We must..." Then he passed out. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* "Sir, you were amazing last night." Alison lied, giving the groggy king some fresh water. "Was I really?" he mumbled. "Of course," she lied again. "You handled the ship and crew nicely, especially since it was your first time." "You're right," he accepted. "I don't know why I ever doubt myself. After two weeks as captain, I think I've taken to the job swimmingly, as if it were my destiny." He sat up and smiled broadly, then became woozy and fell back onto the bunk. "Just rest now." Alison left the cabin and started back to her own. "What is the deal with you and King Vayne?" a man's voice asked. Alison turned to see Phillip, one of the sailors, standing in the hallway. "Are you, like, a couple?" "No, he's merely my boss," she answered. "Wait! How did you know he was the king?" One of Vayne's lesser servants came down the stairs and entered her cabin. "Oh." "If you aren't hung up on his highness, maybe you and I could spend some time together tonight?" Phillip offered. "I don't think so," Alison responded, trying to look for a way to get out of the conversation. "Why not?" Phillip asked. "Unless you do feel something for the king." Alison became indignant. "Certainly not! Just because I don't throw myself at the first..." She stopped abruptly and stormed up the stairs to the deck, where she almost knocked over a sailor who was busy flirting with a receptive female. She was ready to yell at the two of them when she came to the realization that her naive attempt to keep the men and women separate had failed completely. All around her, they were talking together, laughing together, playing games together, and doing other things people do together. Just as she was about to say something, she heard another voice from behind her. "Alison, I think I'm feeling better, now," King Vayne groaned as he tried to crawl up the stairs. Alison looked around in fright. "King Vayne!" she yelled. "You shouldn't come up here just yet! You still sound unwell!" The others looked over and began trying to pretend that nothing was happening. "Nonsense, I'm fine," Vayne countered, stepping out into the sunlight. "It's a lovely day." Two women walked over and draped themselves on the king's shoulders. "Ah, the salty air, the blue sky, my little beauties..." The women cooed emotionlessly. "Whatever could be wrong?" Alison calmed down. "I'm glad you're feeling better." "Yes, now how about someone making me a sandwich? I haven't eaten since last night." Alison was about to give the job to someone else when Phillip came up behind the king and grinned at her conceitedly. "Yes, King Vayne. I'll get you one now," she offered, staring angrily at Phillip. She stormed past the sailor down into the ship. King Vayne smiled obliviously. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* / K. M. Wilcox/ \Mister Boddy \ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-* "So, Professor Jenkins!... My old nemesis!... *-*-*-*-*-*-*-* \ We meet again, but this time the advantage is mine! Ha! Ha! Ha!" / *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*