From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon Feb 14 13:32:00 1994 Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!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] Into the Great Forest Date: 12 Feb 1994 22:42:53 GMT Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College Lines: 85 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2jjm1eINNeol@news.gac.edu> Reply-To: mcutter@nic.gac.edu NNTP-Posting-Host: flash.gac.edu Slowly, the normal sounds of the Forest began again. The disturbances had passed, leaving the creatures to continue their lives. Three bodies lay fallen in various positions, quite dead. From the shadows, a goblin slunk forth. He crossed the glen towards the bodies, bow nocked and ready. When it became clear that there was no longer a threat, the goblin moved to examine the bodies. One lay face-down with three arrows in its back. The next lay half-twisted, a weapon half drawn. Scorch marks covered its shoulder and face. The final body sat against a tree, a gaping hole in the ribs and an arrow peaking from its eye. The goblin relaxed; there was no longer a threat here. He motioned to the forest behind him. The forest shimmered in response. Out of the disturbance stepped a short figure. He had an elven grace, but was built like a human. A glowing sling dangled from his hand as he scanned the forest about the two. It had been seven days since Pheu and Thad had departed from the _Gibraltar_. The ranger and the bard had spent the entire time dodging patrols of these hulking creatures. "So these are our enemies," said the half-elf. "They would seem to be some type of ogre. Pheu, I have had too much of ogres recently." The goblin grinned without humor. "Me too, Thad. But these no ogres I ever seen. Look, twisted, somehow. Not good, not good..." "Whatever they are, they need not sleep." Thad looked grim. "For three days, they followed us. Neither your woodcraft nor my cloaking spells did more than delay them." Pheu nodded agreement. The goblin walked over and kicked one of the corpses. "Abomination," he muttered. Aloud, "Come, elfes. We almost to the Lady. Even now, Pheu can hear her call." The half-elf looked about him. He lacked his friend's sensitivity to this particular forest, but, as a priest of Chan-Da'all, Thad had an empathy with nature. Pheu was right. Throughout the forest, there had been a feeling of wrongness. Here, that feeling eased. Everything was not well, but something seemed to say, Wait. Bear with us. We are trying. "Indeed," Thaddius Farsinger answered, "lead on." ----- It took two more days of backtracking and twisting until Pheu was satisfied. The goblin seemed paranoid about leading these creatures to his Lady. Thad made no comments. It was not his friend at threat. On that second day, Pheu called Longflyer to them. Whispering to the hawk, the goblin seemed to pass on instructions of some sort. Glancing at Thaddius, Pheu drew himself up. "Forward," he said, a gleam in his eyes. "The Lady awaits us." ----- As the two entered yet another part of the forest, the light took a surreal edge. Everything seemed bright, sharp, in focus. Wonderful scents filled the air: flowers, fruits, the very life of the forest. All around came the sounds of animals at play and at rest. Here, at least, the Forest was in Harmony. The thickets parted, revealing a glade of exceptional beauty. Thad stepped to it, only to feel a hand on his arm. The bard turned halfway, looking back at Pheu, who stood with a hand shading his eyes. There was a glint of pain on his face, but the look of sheer awe easily surpassed it. "I can go no further, Thad," whispered the goblin regretfully. "Beyond here, I will never be allowed to pass." "What..?" Bewilderment crossed the half-elf's face. Pheu smiled. "Me goblin. We creatures of the dark, no matter how much I might wish otherwise. Out there, only faerie and their kin can roam. That be you. Farewell, Thaddius Farsinger. You have been a true friend. I am honored you allowed me to Roam with you..." The goblin faded into the shadow. "Good-bye, Pheu. Thank you," Thad whispered and turned, walking towards the Light. -Thaddius Farsinger "Bred to Roam alone..." ****************************************************************************** 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! ******************************************************************************