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From: bingchar@cwis.isu.edu (BINGHAM_CHARLES_D)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Aleirin] Fever Dream
Date: 1 Mar 1994 17:18:53 -0700
Organization: Idaho State University, Pocatello
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	Images filled his mind but none of them made any sense, the haze 
in his head was too thick.  Slowly the shape of a small fortress began to 
emerge.
	The dust settled on the field outside the main gates.  Over the 
past five days troops had been moving into the area surrounding the small 
fortress of Ivrinegorn and now the main body had arrived.  Aleirin stood 
watching the troop movements from the reasonably secure tower.  As the 
forces settled just outside of bow range, he nervously bit his lower 
lip.  Watching the men below, fidgeting at thier posts, he wondered what 
they were thinking.  Before them lay the army of Vanaus, moving steadily 
towards their homes and the treasures of Dorvingil.  The only obstacle 
between that army and the city, the aging fortress of Ivrinegorn and the 
580 men and dwarves defending it.  Aleirin slowly fingered the message he 
had recieved that day from General Thelroen, leader of the dwarven forces 
of Dorvingil.  He read it over again, though the words had already been 
etched in his memory.

	Dearest friend and ally, I wish the circumstances were such that 
the contents of this letter would be of no concern to you.  I'm afraid, 
however, that fate has deemed otherwise.  The army grows slowly and I 
fear that Vanaus and his army will be at the gates of Dorvingil before we 
are ready.  The dwarves I have sent know this and will fight to the last 
man to buy us that time.  I only hope that your friends and the 
volunteers that follow them are as dedicated to this cause, as thier 
assistance may be our only hope.  I recieved you message requesting the 
size of Vanaus' army and I fear that news is also bleak.  At last report 
our spies counted nearly 5000 elves, the majority of which being 
archers.  I do not want to be a doomsayer, but I must also tell you that 
this report is nearly a month old and that Vanaus has surely recruited 
more men in that time.
	My thoughts are with you, and I pray that you will fight 
gloriously in the defense of Dorvingil.
	The letter was signed by the general and had the seal of House 
Aelin upon it.

	A shout from the guard caught Aleirin's attention.  "Sir, 
horsemen approach under a white flag."
	Quickly folding the letter and placing it in a pouch, he strode 
out of the tower and along the battlements to the main gate.  "Let them 
approach," he shouted.  "Crossbowmen stand ready, we don't know what to 
expect from them."
	The five horsemen rapidly approached the fortress gates coming to 
a stop within earshot of them.  "Soldiers of Ivrinegorn, General Vanaus 
Tal Kano is touched by your bravery.  He has declared that, if it is your 
wish, you may leave this place and return to your homes unmolested.  He 
asks only that you hand your weapons and supplies over to us.  You have 
one hour to comply."  The five quickly turned thier horses and returned 
to the main army.
	Aleirin, watching the troops under his command, nodded to his 
friend and wizard, Kono.  Nobody moved from thier posts.  A slight pain 
touched his heart as he know that thier bravery would also mean thier death.
	Kono had gone into a trance shortly after recieving the command 
from Aleirin.  His chanting started low, but soon it seemed as if the 
entire fortress was echoing from the sound.  Overhead the clouds began to 
darken, and a light rain began to fall.
	"Colonel!"  The guard captain was shouting, "Thier archers have 
moved into position."
	As the first enemy arrows made thier way towards the small 
fortress, Aleirin quickly made his way towards the tower.  When the 
arrows found thier marks, he whispered a faint prayer to Giovana, 
patroness of lost causes.
	The haze began to consume the scene, the screams of the men began 
to take form, enveloping the fortress in a thick murk.  Slowly darkness 
crept into his mind and the painful memories were hidden once again.

-- 
The One Who Watches     |  "This is a good place,    
bingchar@cwis.isu.edu   |   There is a lot of liquor here." 
                        |                 Hemingway