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From: rosenje@wkuvx1.bitnet
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [INN] Dervanis' companion arrives
Message-ID: <1993Oct21.163345.8234@wkuvx1>
Date: 21 Oct 93 16:33:45 CDT
Organization: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Lines: 96

	Dervanis del'Traegin was getting bored.  He had been sitting in the
Dragon's Inn for hours, waiting for a companion that he now doubted would
show up.  He had ordered, and eaten, dinner, and was surprised at how good
it was.  This place was definitely more than it appeared to be.
	He finally decided to get a room and get some sleep.  He would
simply leave a message for his friend with the innkeeper.  As he stood to
leave the table, a voice stopped him.
	"Dervanis! Hey!" the familiar voice called.
	The paladin turned to see his long overdue companion, still dusty
from the trail, brushing himself off and taking a seat at the little table.
	"Nice of you to finally join me, Tyrell.  What kept you this time? 
Did you have to break out of the local jail?  Or steal back your horse
after loosing it at dice?  Wait, I've got it!  You ran into a local farmers
daughter, and just couldn't resist yourself.  That's it, isn't it?"
Dervanis replied.
	"No, nothing that spectacular _this_ time.  My horse just threw a
shoe and I had to pay a visit to a smith.  So while I was waiting, I just
stopped in a local tavern, had a few drinks... you know."
	"So you kept me waiting here for hours so you could cheat at dice
with some poor farmers for a few measely coppers, huh?  It figures."
	"Actually, there was this really pretty serving girl there,
obviously not exactly a lady.  I felt it was my duty to, well _guide_ her
to a more fulfilling endeavor.  I know how you go for that kind of stuff."
	Dervanis smiled in spite of himself.  Tyrell was too likeable to be
mad at.  Tyrell was half-elven, a self proclaimed sword master, in reality
a common thief.  Actually, he was a good deal better than your common
cutpurse, and was good enough was his paired short swords to back up his
claim as a master.  Tyrell stood only 5'2", weighed about 110 pounds, with
short cropped silvery hair and deep gray eyes inherited from his elven
heritage.  His stubbled face was one of the few clues that he was not a
full elf, though others of that fair race could see differences that
Dervanis was unaware of.  Tyrell wore a long blue cloak, a grey shirt, and
black leggings, the bottoms of which were stuffed into the top of a pair of
blue dragonskin boots, that Dervanis was sure were stolen from somewhere,
in spite of Tyrell's repeated claim that he had slain the beast himself and
had taken part of its hide to have them made.
	Dervanis had met Tyrell in the North, in his own home kingdom
of Tranth  The two had adventured together for several years before seperating,
Tyrell to join their third companion on a quest, and Dervanis to serve for a 
time at the temple of Ilmater, to be confirmed as a knight of that order.  
Tyrell and Barath's quest had met with disaster, and Tyrell was the only one to
survive.  The company had been destined for a secret location in the Misty
mountains, the ancient home of Barath's dwarven clan that had long ago been
taken by the fierce orcs that lived in that region.  It was Barath's desire
to retake his homeland, and he had assembled a powerful company to do it. 
The company had only just reached the pass in the mountains that led to the
old dwarven stronghold when they were attacked by not only orcs, but
several other strange beings as well.  Tyrell had always described the
creatures as some type of golem, as they were made, it seemed, completely
of polished steel.  Yet they spoke as well, and seemed highly intelligent. 
Tyrell was knocked unconscious in the battle, and apparently fell into a
shallow pit.  When he awoke, all that remained of his companions was a
burning pile of corpses, and he fled back to Tranth, to the home of Dervanis,
telling the tale of what had happened.  The usually jovial half-elf always
became somber when speaking of that battle.
	And he looked very somber in the Dragon's Inn, as well.
	"My friend, I received some very disturbing news at home while you
were away.  Indeed, it's the reason I wanted to meet you here instead of
waiting for you at home," Tyrell said, the look on his face becoming even
more somber with each syllable.  Dervanis had a bad feeling that he knew
what they were getting ready to talk about.
	"What is it, Tyrell?" he asked hesitantly.
	"I think our old companion Barath may be alive."
	"WHAT!!" Dervanis shouted, slamming his hand down onto the table,
knocking over his glass and spilling his wine onto the floor.  "You said he
was DEAD!  You SAW him DIE! How could he be alive?!"
	"Sit down, and I'll tell you!" Dervanis sat slowly, glaring at the
half elf.  "About a month ago, a man was found half dead in a field near
your father's estate.  He was emaciated, and nearly dead.  He was dressed
in only a loincloth, and his feet were torn and bleeding from walking a
long distance barefoot.  When he recovered... which he only barely did, he
began to tell me of a place in the mountains, from which he escaped, where
there were many others kept... slaves.  And then he told me of their
masters, fierce mountain orcs, like the kind we've fought before.  And,
also.. others.  Great men of metal, like I saw long ago in that battle."
	Tyrell paused a moment, then continued.  "The reason he came to
Tranth was to find you.  One of his companions in the slave pits was
Barath."
	Dervanis sat stunned for a few seconds.  He shook his head slowly. 
	"But you told me you saw him cut down in front of you.  I remember
your description clearly.  You said no one could have survived a wound like
that, don't you remember?"
	"I can't believe it myself.  He was... he was nearly cut in two,
Dervanis.  There was blood everywhere.  I was sure he was dead before he
hit the ground... but somehow he is alive, in that mountain.  We have to
find him!"
	"Very well.  If you believe it to be true, how can I do otherwise? 
We will leave in the morning.  Even if Barath is not there, no one should
be kept as a slave by these beasts you describe.  It is my duty to go there
and free them," Dervanis said.  He ordered another drink, and sat back to
think.  They had a long ride ahead of them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Rosenberger, rosenje@wkuvx1.bitnet, Western Ky University, 
Department of Chemistry