Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!uunet!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!rsm58307 From: rsm58307@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Ron) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [wiz:2] Strange landscapes Date: 27 Sep 1993 05:46:27 GMT Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana Lines: 178 Message-ID: <285unj$5np@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu> References: <27o4jl$k2j@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: uxa.cso.uiuc.edu Two more characters added, then removed. WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE The wizard Feldegast, seated at his table in the Red Thief Inn (a circular, well lighted place frequented by thieves and assassins), has been approached by a shadow traveller named Gorgon, and given an item of some power that is to be identified. In return, Gorgon took a book, and then departed. The shadow travelling demon is most probably dead, as there was an explosion on the Plane of Shadow soon thereafter. The wizard now speaks to a bar maid, who noticed Feldegast talking to someone and was invited over ... THE RED THIEF INN "Were you born in this fine city, Clarissa?" "Oh no," the Maid replied, her eyes darting to the innkeep. She made a move as if to speak, than stood. "I should be going back to work." Feldegast looked over at the man, and then at the wench. The Innkeep, for his part, seemed startled. He then smiled encouragingly at Clarissa, motioned for her to continue talking, and started waiting on the other tables himself. "Uhh, ... I guess I could stay," said the wench, slightly confused. Her eyes narrowed shrewdly. "You did somethin to Old Bart, didn't chya?" Feldegast grinned mischievously, and his hat slid off his head, onto the floor. He frowned in annoyance and it hopped back up to the table, then onto him. Clarissa hid a smile with one hand. "Yes," he replied after having lit a pipe and having blown a smoke ring upwards, "A minor enchantment I learned from a friend of Gandalf's. Sar- ... Sar-something. A fine guy except for this thing he had about orcish armies and hypnotic robes." "You charmed Bart!" She cried out, smiling, "Wait till I tell him! Charmed him well and good!", then she looked about horrified, aware that this was not the best thing to have yelled. The denizens of the Red Thief Inn would not take kindly to charms being placed on the one serving food. As if on cue, two persons of varying height detached themselves from their respective tables (both had been sitting alone) and approached Feldegast as the wizard cut himself some toast and buttered it. Clarissa gulped, watching as the two glanced at each other than fastened their eyes on her and Feldegast. The one standing closer was clothed in immaculate, glossless black. Human, he had some muscle to him, and exuded danger. Thin colorless lips were set in a face devoid of compassion. His hair was a pale blonde, slicked back, his hands were slightly too large, his irises were a light shade of blue. She could not see a weapon on him. The second stood slightly to one side, a hunched gnome of dark complexion with eyes of ebon and an alarming sharp toothed grin that stretched across the jaw in comic fashion. The man-child wore a mustard yellow jerkin and brown pants, having a hunting knife at his belt, along with various pouches. "Maid, tell me of this enchantment," the human male said, his voice like a sack of lead pressing against her frail bones. His lips moved very slightly. "She meant nothing by it," said Feldegast as he mopped on some jam, "Indeed, I suggest you leave now. You tire the Great Feldegast. And I am eating." "Quiet," the gnome said. His voice was harsh, clipped, foreign. "Answer question." "Hah!" stated the wizard rising indignantly, his staff met the bottom of the table, and he let go of it, letting it clatter to the ground. His hat fell off his head, revealing a few grey hairs, and he took up a posture of defiance, "That man there asked no question." Clarissa laughed, at the ridiculuousness of the reply. "Well he didn't!" Feldegast said, indignantly turning to face her, his rune bearing robes swirling about. "He asked you describe something, which is surely not the same thing, although the results tend to have certain a certain superficial likeness. And he asked it most rudely." He swiveled about and jabbed a bony finger at the two strangers, "Without even telling his name." "I suggest you speak, maid. But do not hold your tongue on my account. I am called Diavo. I hope that helps you, but somehow I doubt it will." She trembled, once, and then her legs and arms lost their strength. Her heart thudded in its cage, and her lips parted slightly. She looked as if the strength had been taken from her. Her eyes rolled back. "What magic is this!" Feldegast exclaimed, looking wildly about, "I know most every Word of Power but 'Diavo' is not one I have heard of, ever. It sounds well, true, but there is none of the customary energy accumulating. Truly this is the most fascinating thing I have seen in a year, well except when that Dragon killed her mate, but that was to be expected, whereas this is a surprise." The gnome for his part grinned at Diavo fiercely. "Angel." The pale figure nodded curtly. He seemed almost an apparition; dull bleached eyes turned to Feldegast, who had crossed arms and was studying Daivo in turn. Feldegast shook his head and gestured. They stood upon a bleak landscape overlooking an ocean. "But it IS a true name. Why would you speak it?" He was slightly irked, for he preferred to be the center of attention, but that was not the case, even if he was doing the questioning. "No fear," the gnome replied. Its dark eyes surveyed about. If there was startlement on his face at the sudden change in environment he did not show it. "What, have you no fear of death?" Feldegast asked, scratching his head. Then, remembering, he beckoned. His hat popped out of a small hole and was soon followed by his staff. Red and gold sheets of color crackled about the hole. "There is worse than death, I assure you, from those who have hold of your name. Do you not fear that? Even one such as I?" "No," answered Daivo. Feldegast stroked his well trimmed beard, deep in thought. The gnome was at Clarissa's side, holding a pouch to her head. She awoke suddenly, sneezing, and looked wildly about. "Are you alright, my dear?" Feldegast asked. His one foot rested on an overturned chair, and he held his staff in hand as he peered at her from underneath his hat. The symbol of the moon glowed with a silver light, for it was rapidly glowing dark. "Yes," she replied, staring at Daivo. "The story can wait," replied the pale man. She nodded, then turned her gaze quizically to the Archmage. "Haven't you heard of 'im, Master Wizard? Daivo: the Angel of Death. There's more tales about him killing people and things, then there's ... water in that ocean." "That follows," Feldegast said, gazing askance at the other man, and then past him at the darkling sea, "Since that is not water. An assassin, eh?" "A liver of death," Daivo answered. "I do not kill for fame or money. I do not do so from stealth." "Double fool," the gnome spat. His black eyes lay at contrast with the white toothed grin. Sharp teeth gleamed in the moonlight, for darkness had fallen. "Could you return ...?" Daivo asked, ignoring the gnome's comment. "Yes, of course," Feldegast replied. A wave of his hand, and the two disappeared. His face brightened immediately. After a moment's concentration food lay on a large silver platter to one side, accompanied by a coat rack. He seated himself, and cleared the dust from his robe. Then the Archmage put his hat and staff on the rack and held up a wine goblet to the fair maid. "Well, then, Clarissa, shall we have this meal at last?" She nodded, slowly, then smiled. Feldegast winked in turn. The round table shrunk until it was perfect for two. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- My address is (r-mathoda@uiuc.edu) and I appreciate any comments, criticism or flattery you have to give. Even flames. Like to know I have an audience. -- ----------------------------oOO--O--OOo------------------------------------- rsm58307@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu |o o| Writer, Systems Engineer VSOFT Inc, u1654@sparc0a.cs.uiuc.edu ||||| Comp Sci, Finance, Law [Allen 251] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------