Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!portal.austin.ibm.com!awdprime.austin.ibm.com!clayton From: clayton@austin.ibm.com (Clayton Colwell) Subject: Re: [Ayl] the mission and its cast explained Originator: clayton@magus.austin.ibm.com Sender: news@austin.ibm.com (News id) Message-ID: Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1993 15:41:18 GMT Reply-To: archmage@vnet.ibm.com References: Organization: IBM Advanced Workstations & Systems Keywords: [Ayl] Ixy Lines: 96 In article , zweldron@ruhets.rutgers.edu (Matthew Charlap) writes: > "That's about all the briefing I can give you. As soon as you are all ready, > we can head out." > Aylyra sits back and starts some final preparation, including the payment of > the bill. Eski dropped down neatly from his chair. "My lady, it will take but little time for me to prepare myself for whatever journey we will undertake. I shall meet you back here before an hour has passed." He sighed. "It is a shame we do not have the company of Zebron Twilight; his experience and knowledge of the Black Eel would be useful." He shook his head. "No matter. My thanks for the wine, my lady, and I shall be back quickly." He bowed to Aylyra and the rest of the company and went to rejoin Braddoc, who'd remained lolling against the bar. Shyly, Eski explained to Braddoc, "I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and care you've shown me. I wish I could repay you properly, but there is an acquaintance of mine in trouble, and I must do what I can to help him." Braddoc swung a tankard of ale down to Eski and threw his arm around him in drunken camaraderie. As his head lolled towards Eski's, he hissed in his ear, "But you're but newly recovered. You're in no shape for a rescue mission. You can't just run off like this!" Eski shrugged his shoulders and accepted the tankard. "I'll manage, Darius. I did not know this acquaintance well, but I *was* in a company with him, and I need to at least try to help." He reached into a puch on his belt and pulled out a small clear gem. "I realize this cannot truly repay you, but it *is* a start. I shall return, though, and --" Braddoc playfully pulled Eski closer with the arm he still had draped around his neck. "OK. I'll take the gem. But I want you to be *careful*." He gave Eski a squeeze and winked conspiratorially. "Us mages have to stick together," he chuckled. He gave Eski another friendly squeeze and released him suddenly. As Eski recovered his balance, Braddoc pulled two small vials from his belt pouch. "Here, drink with me." He unstoppered one vial and poured its effervescent contents into Eski's tankard. "To your health!" Braddoc cried. Eski eyed the mug warily, but then shrugged. "After all he's done for me? Why should I mistrust him now?" He clanked the tankard against Braddoc's, and both drained their mugs. Almost instantly, Eski felt vitality and strength course through his limbs. He stared at the mug, then at Braddoc, who merely winked. "To your health indeed!" Eski exclaimed. "Just want to make sure you *do* return to repay that debt," said Braddoc. He handed Eski the other vial and the room key. "In case you need it on your journey. It's not a strong potion, but its minor healthful benefits may help you out." He frowned slightly. "Take care of yourself, Eski, all right?" Eski pocketed the items and shook Braddoc's hand. "I will, Darius. I *will* come back." He left the bar and sprightly climbed the stairs to the private rooms to collect his adventuring tools and Granite. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Braddoc watched him leave. He thought, "And he's off. At least my disguise is working. Or perhaps it's been too long since I saw him last. In either case, he still doesn't recognize me. That's good." He frowned to himself. "And yet he was so quick to trust me. So few questions, so willing to accept my help. I hope that open trusting doesn't get him in trouble." He sighed. "And yet he's so full of life and joy. Whatever put him into that coma, he's bounced back quickly." Braddoc took a swallow of wine, a lump having just formed in his throat. "I wish there was someone *I* could trust." Now brooding, Braddoc turned back to the bar and ordered another bottle. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Granite, Ixnaphior's in trouble! Get ready!" Eski rushed into the room and began to gather his things. Granite cocked its head to the right and squawked, then began to nibble amongst the feathers of its right wing. "Gee, thanks, Granite," Eski said sardonically. "Just stay calm now." After packing his things, he tidied the room a bit, then coaxed Granite onto his shoulder. He took a last look at the bed he'd spent who-knows-how-much-time in, and then left the room and closed the door behind him with a thud like the closing of a tome. Without looking back, he returned to the common room, turned in the key (with 10 gold pieces for a tip), and then returned to Aylyra's table, to await for the company's departure. -- Clay Colwell "If homosexuality is a disease, then let's all call archmage@vnet.ibm.com in queer to work." - Robin Tyler IBM Austin, TX Disclaimer: This is *Clay* talkin', not IBM.