From alt.pub.dragons-inn Tue Mar 15 23:16:12 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7103 Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.ans.net!malgudi.oar.net!sun!vax.cns.muskingum.edu!hsexauer From: hsexauer@vax.cns.muskingum.edu (Rapunzel) Subject: [Legacy] Latecomers Message-ID: <1994Mar11.154054.1@vax.cns.muskingum.edu> Lines: 180 Sender: root@sun.cns.muskingum.edu (Operator) Organization: Muskingum College Date: Fri, 11 Mar 1994 20:40:54 GMT [ADMIN] I know postings got quick recently, but I am leaving today for spring break, and wanted to get these out first. Happy reading all, and I'll think of you poor souls still in class next week! Durstrin was watching for signs of the two missing members of the company, standing at the entrance to the cave. The sun had been up for an hour now, and still there was no indication they were on their way. The elf had turned to get the best view of the area leading from the gates of the city, and as yet there hadn't been the slightest movement in the fringe of the trees. Perhaps that was why he did not see his friends passing until they were almost upon him. They came from the left further along the jumble of boulders, and worked their way to the river. The rushing sound of the waterfall covered the noise of their approach as they slid down the slick rocks to drop to the valley floor. Led by a young boy, Ruel and Kieriah passed the outcropping where Durstrin watched. The elf, startled by their sudden appearance, stepped out where he could be seen and hailed them. "Kia, over here! Where is the physician?" Durstrin called. He clasped Ruel's hand as he came near, and put an arm around Kieriah's shoulders to lead her into the cave. "He's not coming," she said in a flat voice. At a glance around the shelter, she added, "Where is Jaerodyn?" "I don't know. He left before daylight headed down river," Durstrin replied shrugging his shoulders. "Has Aleric's condition changed at all?" It was a futile question, and the negative response was no surprise. "Then leave me with him, please. Ask Ruel to tell you what happened." Ruel signalled for the others to join him outside. Tierge and Elcoran rose from their positions and followed the valeman and the elf outside where Ruel began relating everything that had happened since leaving them the prior day. Far downriver, Jaerodyn is watching with trepidation the movements of a large cloaked figure. He had left earlier that morning to explore downriver and plan a route. Just twenty minutes before, he had suddenly glimpsed the one he now watched wandering along the shore and dove for cover. Jaerodyn shifted his grip on Xel'ha and hoped the Shekiren wouldn't notice him. the Lyorn wondered. It moved closer, slowly making its way upriver. It did not seem to have a particular purpose, or to be looking for anyone. Jaerodyn studied it at it neared. Like the last, the Shekiren's entire length was covered with a dark cloak. It was slightly taller than the last, and wore a hat that concealed its pale face from observers. It also had a sword belted to its side, and Jaerodyn hoped if it came down to a fight this one wasn't much better than the last. It had taken all the Lyorn's skill to keep the Shekiren at bay, and without Aleric he could not have killed it at all. Jaerodyn nervously twitched the hand holding Xel'ha. Much to his dismay, a shaft of sunlight glinted off the blade. The Shekiren quickly turned its head and tracked the light to its source. It changed its course and moved toward him. "Hellfire," Jaerodyn swore under his breath. He tightened his grip on the sword and sprang at his attacker hoping to gain the element of surprise. The Shekiren made a tremendous leap backward and landed lightly on his feet. Jaerodyn blinked. By the time he recovered his balance and advanced against his foe again, it had drawn its own weapon and held it ready. Jaerodyn swung at its neck. The dark cloaked figure jerked his blade up in response and deflected the blow. "Aleric, stop! What are you doing?" it shouted in a clear, deep voice. It was not attacking at all, but defending itself. The cloaked form backed away and lowered its weapon. "Don't you recognize me?" Jaerodyn checked his next swing and held his guard. He did not trust his opponent's actions. Did he call Jaerodyn by his brother's name? The Lyorn waited. "Aleric, it's me, Segoi." He sheathed his blade and spread his hands. "I'm not Aleric," Jaerodyn stated cautiously. "Who are you?" Segoi was silent while he thought. This wasn't...? He certainly looked enough alike him to be... his brother. Right. Aleric had mentioned once he had siblings. Segoi nodded to himself at the realization. "Depending on how much your brother has told you, my answer may or may not make any difference. I am one of his friends from Generica." "He's told me enough to know that possibility exists." "You had me confused because beside looking like his twin, you carry Aleric's sword Xel'ha. My name is Segoi, and I was accompanying Aleric and others on a mission to Qar'Tima." Jaerodyn relaxed his stance. Aleric had named his prior companions, and the name Segoi was among them. Even if this person wasn't known to Jaerodyn personally, he was not a Shekiren and therefore reasonably safe. Jaerodyn was confident he could defeat this person if it came to that, there were not many he had found to match the Lyorn prowess in battle. He lowered Xel'ha and said, "Alright. I believe you. Although why you are here and not with that other group is still a mystery." "I might ask the same of you. I assume Aleric is nearby somewhere if you have his sword," Segoi countered. "He is. But I'm afraid he is very sick. My sister Kieriah and one of our friends have gone to find him a physician." "Perhaps I may help. I have some skill in healing," Segoi offered. "If nothing else I must talk with Aleric and tell him what has befallen our company. Although, I must say I had not expected to find him here. When I left he was still with the group." "I don't know when you left, but he's been here in the Vale for a very long time now." Jaerodyn replaced Xel'ha over his shoulder. Segoi shrugged and cast a glance over his shoulder at the other side of the river. "I have another of your brother's former companions with me. She should catch up to me soon." He explained she had been exploring on the other side of the river when Jaerodyn had found him. Not more than a couple minutes later Laurenth appeared from the trees on the far side. Segoi raised his arm and beckoned to her. Laurenth waved back in acknowledgement before beginning her spell to carry her across the water. "Aleric!" she called gladly, upon seeing Segoi's new companion. "No, this is his brother," replied Segoi. "He very nearly was the death of me before I realized I had to introduce myself." He laughed shortly. "But let us save further introductions for later. Our friend is in trouble, and we should not waste time." Jaerodyn beckoned to the new arrivals, "Come. I will take you to our friends." He started back upriver toward the waterfall roaring in the distance. Segoi followed behind wordlessly, lost in his own thoughts with Laurenth right behind. Once back at the waterfall, Jaerodyn discovered the majority of his companions outside the shelter, looking glum. Durstrin stands slowly with Ruel at his side. "Jaer, they returned some time ago. The news isn't good," the elf began. "Is there someone in there helping him now?" the Lyorn asked. They all shook their heads. "Only Kia. She asked to be alone. I think you'd better go in and see her." Ruel looked to the cloaked form behind Jaerodyn and the slight figure beside him, then back to the Lyorn questioningly. "I found some old friends of Aleric's. They will come with me," Jaerodyn explained. Without a backward glance to see if Segoi or Laurenth would follow, the young Lyorn ducked into the space between the rocks. Inside, once his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he saw his sister hunched over with her brother's head in her lap. Slowly, he walked forward until his shadow fell over their heads blocking the light and announced his presence. Jaerodyn knelt and touched Aleric's forehead. His skin, though deathly pale, was fiery hot. He could also hear Aleric's ragged gasps punctuating the stillness beneath the water's roar. Kieriah lifted her face, until now hidden behind a shimmering curtain of coppery hair. Her eyes were swollen from crying and her cheeks tear stained. The words he wanted to ask her stuck in his throat. His sister answered his unspoken question. "He's dying Jaer," she whispered. -- Heather Sexauer Muskingum College hsexauer@muskingum.edu "We'll never survive....." "Nonsense. You're only saying that because no one ever has." -- Princess Bride