From alt.pub.dragons-inn Fri Feb 11 12:27:47 1994
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From: Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Horde Father-Confessor
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: REPOST [Roaming] Farreach
Date: 10 Feb 1994 16:33:47 GMT
Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College
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Message-ID: <2jdnlbINN6jj@news.gac.edu>
Reply-To: mcutter@nic.gac.edu
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Watch Commander's log, western gate of Farreach, June 16, 1993:

"It is with some misgivings that I allowed two of the strangest companions I  
have ever seen to enter Farreach today.  One was a man of medium height and  
build.  His grace showed his elven ancestry, even with his recent wounds.  This  
one has a story that any bard would be envious of.

"The shorter of the two was heavily cloaked.  He had a worn short bow; there  
seemed no reluctance to use it either.  But something about the way he  
walked...it reminded me of something I had seen as a lad in the hills.  And  
when he passed, a smell lingered, one I should have recognized.

"It was only later that it occurred to me that the smell was goblin.  I passed  
along word, but the two have disappeared.  I wonder, what kind of elf travels  
openly with a goblin?  I fear I may never know..."

***

Pheu the Mighty and Thaddius had made moderate time.  They reached the town of  
Farreach almost exactly when the goblin expected them to.  It seemed the little  
ranger had connections in the area.

"Pheu a long way from home," he informed the half-elf.  "But that not mean I  
can'ts get us someplace.  Where you goings, elfs?"

The question caught Thad off-guard.  He really had no idea what to do, now that  
there was no immediate danger.  For the last several days, he had prayed for  
guidance.  But it seemed that Chan-Da'all was leaving him to his own devices.   
The goddess gave no specific urgings.  So Thaddius decided to pursue her aspect  
as Seeker.

"Pheu," the half-elf asked, "where are the closest centers of civilisation?  I  
am a stranger to this...land, and wish to learn of its peoples and cultures."

A gleam entered the goblin ranger's eyes.  "Stranger to world, you maybe mean?"   
Pheu hurried on.  "You want Generica, center of Known Lands.  Maybe Pheu make  
arrangements to get you there. I see what I can do."

The little creature started off down the street. "Meanwhile, elfs find us place  
to stay.  Since yous own me, yous can pay.  Go to Broken Bar, get room on  
ground floor.  Me sneak in later, when nobody chase Pheu.  I go look for Pheu's  
friends, arrange passage. "

"Done," said Thad.  The two parted company.  Thaddius wandered through the  
centeral market.  Before he took care of laodgings, other business was in  
order.  It was not long before a weapons dealer appeared.

Several minutes later, Thad emerged with a handsome quarterstaff.  Giving it a  
twirl, he set off in search of the Broken Bar, following the dealer's  
directions.  It wasn't long before he found it; it took even less time to get a  
"small room in the back for myself and an unnamed companion."

The barkeep just shook his head.  "Don't cause trouble, I won't ask questions."  

"Not a problem," Thaddius quickly agreed.  "I am just passing through."

Several hours later, a knock came at the window.  Thad peered out and saw a  
small cloaked shape waving its bow.

"Lets me in, Thads!  I gots us passage!" whispered Pheu loudly. He leapt up and  
squirmed through the window.  "Raft headed east tomorrow.  We get passage in  
return for guard duty and help unloading.  But gotta provide own food.  You  
mind?"

"Not at all, my little friend," replied Thaddius.  "I assume we depart early  
and should rest?"

"Yah.  You takes beds.  Pheu not like all that padding and feathers.  Gives me  
shivers," said the ranger.

Thaddius climbed into bed.  Pheu blew out the candle and curled up on the floor  
muttering.  A smile crossed Thad's face as he heard, "Stupid elfs.  Not have to  
rub in how short Pheu is.  I show him tomorrow..."  The voice faded off into  
goblin snores.

Sleep came less easily to Thaddius.  His mind wandered far and wide.  Foremost  
in his thoughts was the Lady Ellen.  The brush with the ogres raised certain  
questions in his mind. 

Was he right to leave so soon before the wedding?  Could she manage by herself?   
Would either of them be able to continue their travels without mortal fear for  
the other's safety?

Weighty questions for a young mind so far from home.  With an effort, the  
half-elf banished them from his mind.  They had already been discussed a  
thousand times.

Both he and Ellen were certain it was better to love now than to wait.  Because  
of the distances and paths they Roamed, one never knew what might happen.  The  
moment should be seized; it might never present itself again.

Thad's mind turned to his lady.  Comforted by the smile on her face, he drifted  
to sleep.

***

Worlds away, a warrior layed down to rest.  The battle had ended; they had  
emerged victorius.  Lady Ellen pulled her bedroll close around her and muffled  
the sound of her sobs.  Her friends knew her pain, but if they had asked she  
would have admitted to the heart-ache but denied the fear.

Far distant, Ellen knew her knight wrestled with difficult problems.  She only  
hoped that he would soon return to her.  The lady had sworn never to let anyone  
this close again.  But somehow, the half-elf had slipped into her life.  Soon,  
neither was complete without the other.

'He will return,' she thought.  'He always has.  And I have always managed to  
wait.  This is not different.'  Slowly, the pain was brought to bay once more.   
Lady Ellen smiled at her doubts, finally at ease, and let much-needed sleep  
claim her.

-Thaddius Farsinger
"Love now.  Love hard, love well.  Because there is no certainty that a  
tomorrow will exist for you to love in."

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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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