From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Nov 24 15:16:31 1993
Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!caen!cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu!344lwkc
Organization: Central Michigan University
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 12:21:38 EST
From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Message-ID: <93327.122138344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Little Rat][Green] Inspiration
Lines: 159

[ADMIN: Again, thanks to all (Dreamer, HeWho, and Penny & Steve Hutchison)
 for input and use of their chars.  This post can be considered to be
 inspired by the [Rat Tales] thread, though not part of it...]

>Soon, everything was ready,
>and the children were tucked in, adjusting their blankets to suit their
>needs of comfort.

But before they could fall asleep, Lancos spoke up again, drawing their
attention.  "Um, I know you two are used to having bed-time stories told
to you, so I think I'll share one with you."

"One a dem like what Reelya's friends been tellin'?" Little Rat asked,
"Dey is creepy, but dey makes my nog buzz with thinkin'."

"Well, not _quite_ anything like that." the warrior replied.  After all,
he had only one personality; one mind; one form.  Unless you counted the
medallion, he remarked solemnly to himself.  "At least nothing you'd
want to hear."

"Awww." Kev interjected.  "C'mon, you got lotsa dem neat stories wit'
lotsa blood n' guts n' heroes n' giants n' draggins n' stuff..."

Lancos grinned.  "Heroic, eh?  Very well then, I'll repeat a tale still
told by people in my realm.  Using my own words, of course.".  'Meaning
words you might actually understand.' he told himself.

"In almost every world, realm, and city there are protectors, people who
commit themselves to fighting the forces of evil.  And this is a tale of
one such group, called the Golden Knights.  And what an appropriate name
it was, the metal often covering their weapons, armor, or other
equipment.  Many people knew well of their ability, and foes sometimes
chose to run after simply seeing them."

"Oh, now I know dis ain't no real story." Little Rat interrupted.  "Dere
ain't no folks what got 'nuf jangles ta put gold on dere outsides.  E'en
if dey did, da Guild would jump 'em an' snach it."

"Well, this _was_ an unusual group.  And the gold was just a thin cover,
like the statues on Temple Street have.  And as far as thieves, some
_did_ try, but they were always defeated."

Little Rat went into deep thought briefly.  "Alright, I can sorta
believe dat."

"Glad to be of help.  Anyway, back to the story..."

"The leader of the Golden Knights was a strong man with rugged features.
It was said of him that his courage was endless, that his horse could
carry him anywhere with great speed and beautiful strides, that his
skills and weapons allowed him to overcome any obstacle.  And these
things were said with good reason.

"His companions were by and large no less impressive, whether soldier,
scout, priest or mage.  Together they were an incredible force, and today
I shall tell of a time they chose to use some of the power, although at
an unexpected time.

"Holly Grove was holding its annual festival, to celebrate another year
of freedom from their enemy that lie not-to-distant in the west, one that
seemed to be advancing.  In fact, it _was_ advancing, but that is another
story.

"For the party, arrangements were quicly made, as far as food, housing,
and of course entertainment.  The last was mainly to be a roaming
caravan, but some of the Golden Knights had shown up, finding a good time
a favorite activity, second only to their pursuit of justice.

"Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones with a pleasant time on their
minds.  A short distance from the town, the caravan was ambushed by a
band of Orcs."  Little Rat gave a questioning look, and Lancos added,
"Oh, Orcs are human-sized creatures, somewhat green in skin color, with a
nose like a snout, and longer teeth.  They usually don't get along with
other races, though nothing's impossible."

"Oh, sorta lookin' like Trawm?" she asked.

The warrior thought about it for a moment.  "Well, that's close enough,
for now.  Anyway..."

"However, the travellers had two things to their favor.  First was that
many of them had skills with weapons, although usually not for direct
fighting.  Second was that a scout for the Knights was in the area, and
quickly made his way to Holly Grove, to ready the others for action.  The
Knights moved out immediately, this need the first thing on their minds
now, and raced to the scene in no time at all.

"The sight before them might have caused some to lose heart.  Though the
performers had positioned themselves well for defense, they were well
outnumbered, and were close to being overtaken.  But the Knights did not
lose hope, and shouted war cries as they charged in with confidence.

"But that didn't stop the Orcs just yet.  The Golden Knights' leader in
particular watched as an Orc attacked what he determined to be the main
driver of the wagons.  To the commander's horror, the monster slashed a
deep wound into the driver's left arm.  The blow also cut the reins that
had been looped around the arm, and the knight knew that if he didn't
react quickly, the horses might panic and run, opening a hole the Orcs
would no doubt use to do further damage.

"The leader left his own horse, and boarded the lead wagon in a single
move.  His gleaming sword followed a second later, killing the Orc easily.
He calmed the horse with his hands, while turning his head around to
check on the wounded man.  A woman and child were tending to him, and
looking to the knight with awe and thanks.  The soldier gave a nod and an
encouraging smile, before turning back to the matter of finishing off the
enemy.  That he did well, ridding the world of a half-dozen in short
measure.

"All over the battlefield, the knights made their impact felt.  The Orcs
tried to fight on a while longer, but their kind isn't known for liking a
fair fight, and they soon retreated in shame.  Both the performers and
the Knights gave a cheer at the victory, though there were still the
injured and the dead to tend to.

"And later, there were also rewards, beyond the feeling of doing what's
right.  Both the town and the caravan gave gold or food or other
possessions; children pledged their desire to join the knights; and of
course, they were worthy of mention in tale and song..."

"Wow!" Little Rat exclaimed.  "When did all dis happen?"

"When I was about your age." Lancos replied, grinning at the girl's
puzzlement.  "I wouldn't doubt you thought the leader was me, but I take
things differently from those knights.  Of course, it _is_ still
appropriate: the leader's name was Borric Hammerfist, and that day was
the first and perhaps most important event for my becoming a fighter.
The man he saved was my father, the barely-mentioned child was me.  The
story's wrong about my father's importance, but such is the nature of
some tales: sometimes things are changed, by pure accident, or in favor
of a better -- or in some cases more realistic -- tale."

The warrior smiled, easily guessing the missing part of ar'Elya's tales.
Little Rat thought a handful a gold was impressive and, especially at
her somewhat innocent age, found magic unbelievable; who knew how she
might react to the truth about the 'kan right now?  "Of course," Lancos
added, "Here I am talking about being accurate, when most would tell you
more of the battle, up to every blow, even if that would take hours.
Anyhow, why don't you see if you can't get some sleep..."

Little Rat and Kev nooded, and curled up underneath their blankets again.

Lancos waited about a minute before continuing, not seeming to mind if
the children were still awake.  "And, to be truthfl, I found Borric not
quite what he seemed.  I found he was largely an average person with a
good heart, just like you or I.  And his training methods were sometimes
unusual, perhaps even more than what I've seen of 'Raf's, but that story
can wait for another time."

Neither child made a reply, though Little Rat's head shifted, ending p
on Lancos' left leg.  Smiling, the warrior allowed -- and welcomed -- her
to grow comfortable on it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love and Peace and Inspiration
Mike Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu
AKA Lancos Erredan
SAQ: "And I may be just an ordinary man/But at least I'm someone to lean
on."-_Bed of Roses_, Warrant