From alt.pub.dragons-inn Thu Feb 10 07:36:14 1994
Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!koriel!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!paperboy.amoco.com!hawkings!apctrc!msc.edu!news.gac.edu!news.gac.edu!usenet
From: Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Horde Father-Confessor
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: REPOST [Roaming] Second Contact
Date: 9 Feb 1994 20:55:05 GMT
Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College
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Distribution: world
Message-ID: <2jbij9INNmmq@news.gac.edu>
Reply-To: mcutter@nic.gac.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: perdita.gac.edu

High in the Mysty Mountains, an ogre stood over the fallen body of his enemy.   
It had taken several days, but he and his clan-mates had finally run the  
trespasser into the ground.  Only two ogres survived, though.  It would take a  
long time for the trespasser to die.

A hunting scream rang out from above, jerking the ogre's head around.  It had  
just time to catch the glint of sunlight off claws before the hawk put out an  
eye.  Wheeling up and diving, the hawk continued its assault, determined to  
drive away this enemy.

But the ogre would not budge.  It stood over its prey, lashing out with fist  
and club at the annoyance attacking it.  Neither took notice of the  
surroundings until a squeaky voice rang out, "Longflyer, away!"

The hawk recognized the voice as a friend.  It soar up and towards the voice.   
The ogre took an instant to get its bearings, then turned towards the noise.

TTTTHHHHHHHHHWACK!   TTTTHHHHHHHHHWACK!

A look of surprise crossed the ogre's face when two arrows embedded themselves  
in its chest.  It took a step forward, stumbled.  Rising, it sprouted a third  
arrow, then a fourth, as death claimed it.

Out of the brush stepped Thaddius's benefactor.  He raised an arm and squeaked,  
"Longflyer, to me!"  The hawk circled once, then landed on the provided perch.   
Said perch turned to the motionless Thaddius.  It poked him several times with  
its bow, circling cautiously.

"Come on, human, wake up," it said.  "You owe Pheu money for saving you.  Come  
on, get up."

Discouraged by the lack of reaction, the small being kneeled next to the  
victim.  Both hands grasped the Thaddius's right side and rolled him over.

"Elfs!" exclaimed the Pheu in surprise.  "I saved an elfs.  This not good, not  
good at all..."  Its comments fading off into muttering, the creature set down  
its bow and began tending Thaddius's wounds.  For several minutes this  
continued, accompanied by the occasion muttered, "Bad, bad.  Not good at all."

After it finished, the creature set about fashioning a litter.  It took out an  
axe and had cut two large limbs when something caught its attention.  Cursing  
fluently, the Pheu spun around.  Across the clearing, the fourth ogre was just  
beginning to stir. Snatching its bow from its back, it loosed two more arrows.   
The ogre thudded back to the ground.  Pheu closed the distance cautiously,  
determined not to repeat Thaddius's mistake.

When he reached the fallen ogre, the little creature kicked it soundly.   
Nothing stirred.  Taking out his axe again, Pheu split the ogre's head.  "Not  
gonna let any ogre sneaks up on ME."  Cleaning his axe, the creature turned  
once more to the fallen half-elf and began preparations for moving him to a  
safer location.

-Thaddius Farsinger
"Strange things come in small packages."

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Sometimes, those you love most are the ones you have to leave behind.
Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@nic.gac.edu OR mcutter@vax2.gac.edu
Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them!
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