From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon Jan 31 20:05:29 1994 Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!hal.com!olivea!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!psinntp!psinntp!isc-newsserver!ritvax.isc.rit.edu!ABB6731 From: abb6731@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (Mr. Sinister) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [JOI - Segoi] The Tower. Message-ID: <1994Jan27.165507.10616@ultb.isc.rit.edu> Date: 27 Jan 94 16:55:07 GMT Sender: news@ultb.isc.rit.edu (USENET News System) Reply-To: abb6731@ritvax.isc.rit.edu Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology Lines: 98 Nntp-Posting-Host: vaxb-eth.isc.rit.edu [JOI - Segoi] by Mr. Sinister... Synopsis: Segoi having reached the island of Valkeer now travels in search of a mysterious tower. ______________________________________________________________________________ The wind blew briskly into the sail of the little boat as it climbed one wave after another. It had been several hours since Segoi had lost sight of land, now the Great Blue surronded him on every side. Mid-day passed, and Segoi chewed on some of the dried meat leaft by Eb, it perhaps was a little too old but still paletable. About mid-afternoon the wind changed blowing straight from the south east pushing Segoi on further into the West. As the sun began to dip down towards the horizon the waves grew less, the sea calmer. Silouetted by the setting sun off to the post side Segoi could see some islands clustered together. There were lights on the shores, and thin trails of smoke rose into the darkening sky. "Night comes, yet I think I will press on," Segoi murmered to himself. The sun set and the stars came out. Tieing the rudder he laid back in the boat and watched the heavens. How beautiful the sky was with all its bright points of light, forming patterns that were ages old. It reminded Segoi of another sky, another world. Exhausted, he slept. The morning sun peeking over the horizon awoke Segoi. He sat up and streatched, then looked about. He had come far in the night and was insight of a large island to the west. Its high cliffs were black, flecked by the surf, and there were storm clouds gathered around its edges. An evil feel came from it. "Yet thither I must go," sighed Segoi. He unlashed the rudder and steared in its direction. About mid-morning he reached the outer rim of the island. The sholes here were treaterous, some hidden under the waves, but the little boat picked its way slowly through maze of underwater walls until it came within the ring of danger. Now a new problem faced Segoi, for there were no beaches on this side of the island. Looking one way and the other, he finally turned south and sailed around the island in search of landing ground. High above on the cliffs a crow cawwed, and a figure moved. A short while later Segoi came upon a small cove with a little beach. Here too there was a cave above the watermark, and into it he pulled the boat, secured it, then turning carefully walked out on to the sand. The feeling of evil had increased. Looking about he spied a climbing goat trail winding up from the beach to the cliffs above. The trail was hard and none but a goat could have used it with any sureity, yet up it Segoi climbed as one climbes a tree. Nearing the top he paused listening; was that a voice? He climbed on. Reaching the top he came out on the edge of a plain that streatched off into the distance to where a mountain sprang from the earth. The wind blew sharply, there was a stale smell to it. 'The quicker I'm done here the better,' thought Segoi. Turning he faced north and began to run across the broken ground. At mid-day or as near as he could judge, the cloud cover was complete, he stopped to rest and eat a small but filling meal. It was then he noticed the birds. A great flock of them coming east from the mountain. He squinted trying to see in the poor light what manner of bird they were; carrion feeders. Not liking what he was Segoi hurried on. His destination was a small tower on the north shore, there he knew of one who could help him on his quest, but for a price. He stole a quick look over his shoulder as he ran. The birds were still far away yet ever moving. The groun underfoot became broken and blackened. The sight of a great battle once Segoi guessed. Here and there were broken spears and shields long rusted, more gursome though were the skulls of long dead warriors that now littered the ground where he ran. 'A great and terrible fight indeed' thought Segoi, 'There is much evil here for these were good men.' He ran on, but behind him as the shadows lengthened in the coming evening, a skeletal hand moved. As the light faded and night came Segoi saw, finally, a lone tower black against the painted sky. He made for it was redoubled haste but stopped short and skidded when he heard the sound of drawn metal. Slowly he turned his head to look over his shoulder, his eyes opened wide in horror at what he saw. Behind him from rock and ground rose the dead of long ago. There was a green glow in their eyes and a low moaning sound issued from their lipless mouths. Some rose with armor still clinging to them, others picked up broken swords and spears as the moved. And move they did, like a forest towards Segoi. Without a thought he turned and ran. Before him more were emmerging from the earth where they had fallen. These he tried to avoid, but knowked them out of the way if they came too close, and on he ran towards the tower.