From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Feb 9 09:06:24 1994 Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!crl.dec.com!caen!malgudi.oar.net!sun!vax.cns.muskingum.edu!hsexauer From: hsexauer@vax.cns.muskingum.edu (Rapunzel) Subject: [Legacy] Unexpected companions Message-ID: <1994Feb8.113322.1@vax.cns.muskingum.edu> Lines: 244 Sender: root@sun.cns.muskingum.edu (Operator) Organization: Muskingum College Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 16:33:22 GMT As promised, Tierge dispatched one of her assistants to the tavern Ruel was in just before daybreak. He returned half an hour later with Aleric's horse and possessions, and Ruel in tow. There were a few hard words for Aleric as Ruel scolded him for not sending word earlier and letting him wonder what had become of the Lyorn. But his companion had no choice but to forgive Aleric when the truth came to light. Ruel's eyes widened and his expression was shocked to learn of a Shekiren's presence in the town. More so to realize they had passed within ten feet of the same one only a week earlier while on the road between towns. "So as you see, I have a good reason for deserting you like that," Aleric finished. "I couldn't risk going back with the Shekiren wandering around somewhere outside." "No, that would not have been prudent," the valeman agreed. "But you have no idea what I first thought when that messenger came to collect me this morning, immediately after I discovered you had not returned from your walk." Aleric was saved the necessity of asking by the entrance of the mage and his sister from the back of the shop. Tierge looked even smaller in the daylight with her robe sashed at her tiny waist and the hood thrown back to reveal her narrow face and fine features. Kieriah, by contrast, looked all the taller trailing the diminutive mage. Her thin body was enhanced by the supple leather tunic and breeches she wore that fit her with no extra material to get in the way, and her hair was braided and coiled around her head. Aleric decided now was a good time for introductions to be made. "Ruel, this is my younger sister Kieriah. And the mage is her friend Tierge," Aleric pointed to each in turn. Both nodded. The stocky valeman found himself having to look up at Aleric's sister as she stood a full head taller than he. Being a Lyorn, she was naturally taller than other women, and stood only a few inches shorter than her brother. "I can see the family resemblance," was Ruel's only comment as he cocked his head to look up and study Kieriah's face. Perhaps he felt a trifle intimidated to see this slender, delicate boned girl towering over him. Ruel turned to view her friend in relief, since the mage was very tiny compared to anyone. "So what is the plan now, oh esteemed leader?" he asked Aleric. "Well, I feel a certain need to distance myself from this town. The inhabitants are a little chilly," he said wryly. Kieriah awarded him with a strange look. "Spare me the feeble attempt at humor, please!" "Howevern I think I owe a few explanations to my sister about my plans before I disappear again," he smiled slightly in Kieriah's direction. "So that seems to indicate we should depart this afternoon." The Lyorn girl shook her head. "Why don't you wait one more day," she suggested. "I forgot to tell you last night, I'm expecting Jaerodyn and some friends tomorrow morning. They're bringing in the caravan." "He's here too?!" Aleric asked in exasperation. "Are you kidding? He's even worse than you are sometimes! This is the first time my trading business has taken me overseas and he absolutely refused to let me go without 'protection'. As if I were still a little girl tagging after your heels!" she exclaimed. She quickly explained that the market in Generica and the eastern lands was glutted with the silks that were her normal merchandise. She had happened to encounter someone in a port city south of Generica who had recently come from the Western Continent and expressed a desire to see such goods in his homeland, but due to unstable political conditions there were no merchants willing to go there. Ever with an eye open for a new market, Kieriah had prepared to voyage to the Western Continent and pursue her market there. She had met Tierge almost upon her arrival and entered a deal whereby Tierge would assist her efforts here if Kieriah would market her magical goods and oddities in the east. So the five of them had set out for the Vale of Janariak where Tierge's shop was, the caravan stretched out behind. Unfortunately a storm had come, forcing the caravan to take shelter so as not to spoil the merchandise. Jaerodyn and his two friends had remained while the women continued on to prepare for their arrival. "It was a _very_ long trip, but we're finally here and have been waiting for the caravan for almost a month. Tierge says it's not ten leagues away now," Kieriah finished. "So how is business nowadays?" her brother asked. "Very good," Kieriah replied with a sly look and a wink. "For some reason I always come out with the best of the bargain." "If the merchants understood all the clauses in your agreements before they committed themselves to them they might have a chance," Tierge remarked. She cast a sidelong glance at the girl, who shrugged. "Maybe if they paid more attention to business instead of the 'pretty little girl' they would," she retorted. "I may be young, but I'm not stupid." Throughout the entire discussion Ruel had been looking from one to the other with a confused expression on his angular face. Aleric privately decided to warn Ruel about his sister later. She used her natural resources well to hide the shrewd intelligence that made her the best of Donegal Lyorn's three children. "Well," Aleric said pointedly, steering the conversation back to business, "if that's the case, I think we'd best wait for Jaerodyn and I'll save myself the trouble of repeating the tale. It's a little too long to repeat frequently." He shot a questioning look at the valeman asking his opinion. Ruel nodded gravely. So for that day the young Lyorn girl proudly showed the newcomers her latest trade items. Aleric had to admit he was impressed. In just four years, a short time in trade, his sister had set up a successful business and had a steady clientele as well. She was one of the wealthier merchants in the business, rather different from her older brothers whose prosperity depended on where they decided to hire out their talents for that season. Just before sunset, Kieriah's caravan entered the town gates and trundled slowly through the streets. The Lyorn girl herself, upon receiving news of its early arrival, hurried out to the gate to meet it. Nevertherless, it was evident that she had saved Aleric's presence as a surprise for her second brother. Jaerodyn and Kieriah rode side by side just ahead of the lead wagon, absorbed in discussion. He gave no sign of anything unusual, and was earnestly assuring the girl that the wares had taken no harm in their journey. From the looks exchanged by an elf riding beside the wagon and the wagon's driver, Aleric figured this was a source of amusement for them. The oldest Lyorn stood in the doorway of Tierge's shop watching the approach of the caravan. It wasn't until they had almost reached the shop that Jaerodyn notice his brother. He reined in sharply and glared at him. Aleric's features registered shock at his reception. They had always been the best of friends since childhood, and the Lyorn had missed his brother very much in the later years when they went separate ways. In fact, when Jaerodyn was seriously injured... Aleric thought ruefully. At a slow, stately pace Jaerodyn rode forward, coming to a halt at the doorstep. He turned and swung down from the saddle. Studying his movements, Aleric could find no trace of stiffness that indicated an imperfectly healed wound. What could be wrong with him? Jaerodyn turned and stared at his brother fiercely. Even Kieriah seemed perplexed by his animosity. When Jaerodyn was no more than six inches from Aleric's face, the latter had a good look at the other's eyes. Blue as the summer sky. Aleric relaxed and started chuckling. "You would have to cheat, wouldn't you?" Jaerodyn said suddenly, smiling. He embraced Aleric and thumped him on the back. Then he stepped back to study him. "Not too many new and obvious scars. You must be doing well." "As well as you apparently. How're your ribs?" "There is a very ugly scar running from hip to shoulder now, no thanks to you!" Jaerodyn smiled to take the sting out of his words. "For all that you dragged me home and dumped me there while you went off again." "Is that what you called going home to visit, Aleric?" his sister asked disgustedly. He nodded with a grin. A pair of elves joined the tableau in front of Tierge's shop. One was the same Aleric had seen earlier. He was of average height but very slender as all elves. Light brown hair was pushed behind the pointed ears, and the feathery brows arched in amusement over his strangely golden eyes. "I am assuming that this man here who looks enough like you to be a twin is your brother, Jaer," he began with a sardonic smile. "How did you guess? But you are correct, he's the oldest of our family by two years. Aleric, this is my friend Durstrin, who has fought at my side for many years," Jaerodyn shot a glance sidelong at his brother and added, "and has never abandoned me to the mercy of the healers..." "Now be fair!" the tall warrior protested. Durstrin gave a half bow in the Lyorn's direction, and another in the valeman's. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." "The quiet one there is Elcoran, whom Durstrin tells me is his nephew." The second elf also bowed to the assembled, even though all but Aleric and Ruel knew him. Elconar looked nothing like his uncle. He was shorter for one thing, and his hair was a silvery color that was echoed in his grey eyes. The effect combined with his darkly tanned skin was startling. Aleric reciprocated by introducing Ruel to the elves and his brother, glossing over how they met as that was involved in his story. The wagon masters settled the caravan nearby where it could be easily set up the next day. At the hostess's suggestion, all moved the gathering inside the shop and upstairs to the living quarters. The sense of a family reunion was finally broken there when Aleric deemed it time to tell his tale. He briefly summarized his experiences after leaving Jaerodyn for his siblings' benefit, then began the true story with meeting Elanon and joining their company. He followed their journey and his subsequent kidnapping and touched briefly on the Lyorn history before laying out his own mission. He wrapped up the story by telling those assemble how he met Ruel and the two began their journey to Highspire. Durstrin's eyes were sparkling with excitement. "A scheme to restore your heritage and free the enslaved, huh?" he raised one feathery eyebrow. "Sounds like a real adventure you've got there!" Jaerodyn rolled his eyes heavenward. "Do you know what the prophecy says?" Kieriah asked. "I couldn't repeat it in the ancient tongue, but I know it, yes," Aleric replied. Jaerodyn frowned thought fully. "Are you the Lastblood or the Youngblood? Last, hm... so that's what your hidden name is-- Nilsangehir." He fell silent, picking at his lower lip. "But Aleric, how are you supposed to complete this task with as little information as you have to work with? I don't think very much of this warlock Tevore," Tierge sniffed. "Surely one as good as he thinks he is should be able to help out more." Aleric spread his hands. "I don't know. But I've come to believe what he says is true. Remember what I said about Xel'ha and the watcher?" He pushed himself away from the table where the remains of their meal lay, and leaned back in his chair. "I think it tends to add a little credence, don't you?" "I'm not doubting that. But I still think you've been sent into this virtually unarmed," the mage replied. The Lyorn said nothing. "Aleric, can you repeat that prophecy again? I want to listen to a couple parts a little more closely," Jaerodyn broke in. Aleric cast a puzzled look at his brother, but complied. "The wounds..." "No, start at the next part," Jaerodyn interrupted. "In the heart of the sickened land lies the Sundered's keep: look to the Hall of Ages where the hunted's hope doth sleep. Therein may the Youngblood find the fate of each..." Aleric recited carefully. "That's what I wanted to hear," Jaerodyn said. He drummed his fingers on the table lightly. "Nilsangehir, and Chiyasangehir..." "Was there something specific you recognized?" Kieriah asked. She studied the younger Lyorn as he tapped out patterns on the wood. "No... not really." Jaerodyn waved absently to the rest, gesturing for them to continue their conversation. Aleric drew his brows together slightly as he watched his brother. Durstrin reached across the table and touched Aleric's sleeve. "Have you been encountering much trouble yet, other than the Shekiren last night?" "Not really. I tend to wonder if the tales about the night haunts aren't just a lot of superstitious folktales. I haven't seen more than the one watcher." Ruel shook his head emphatically. "The key words there are that you haven't seen them. There may have been many that you just didn't see. That does not mean they didn't see you. Watchers don't always attack, and there are other things out there that have more intelligence and know how to plan." "Granted, but if you two haven't had more than the one encounter in the forest perhaps the tales _are_ slightly overrated," Tierge countered. "Tierge, you live in the free lands where such things don't often occur. I don't," Ruel objected. "I have seen enough in my life to know that there really are things out there that will attack anything that moves. Fortunately I live on the edge of the corrupted lands, so I have a safer life than most." Aleric cleared his throat. "The matter is academic. I must go through those territories if I am to reach Highspire, and it does not matter how many or how few the demons are." "Well you and Ruel won't be left on your own," Jaerodyn interjected. "I'm going with you. Kia can take care of things here and Durstrin and Elcoran can help her if they so choose." "Not on your life, Jaer. I'm coming too," Kieriah declared. Silence fell, and no one ventured to break it. Both her brothers' stares clearly said no. Kieriah's face became rebellious, "I am too!" For the first time that day, Elcoran spoke. "Jaerodyn, you know she always gets her way somehow or other. It's kind of futile to argue about it." "That's not helping much, y'know," Jaerodyn said. "I thought maybe with both Aleric and I we might make her see reason. He was always able to soften her up." "I take it you gentlemen don't remember the incident with the village parson' mule, do you?" "Ouch. She's got us there, Jaer," Aleric winced. He tried another tactic. "What about your caravan and the business?" "I can have the trail manager deal with that. He's competent. It will be solved by morning." "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to lose?" Aleric asked the air in general. "Because you already did I think," Durstrin supplied helpfully. -- Heather Sexauer Muskingum College hsexauer@muskingum.edu "We'll never survive....." "Nonsense. You're only saying that because no one ever has." -- Princess Bride