From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Apr 13 14:36:35 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7201 Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: steve@imperial.demon.co.uk (Steve Shipway) Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!demon!imperial.demon.co.uk!steve Subject: [Inn] [Elvar] Elvar and Watcher Organization: Imperial Business Systems Date: Tue, 12 Apr 1994 16:38:42 +0000 Message-ID: Sender: usenet@demon.co.uk Lines: 126 [Inn/Elvar] Elvar and Watcher [ The character Elvar and this post are Copyright (C)1994 S Shipway Sel Safthandor and the Marayan League are Copyright (C) Susan Kretschemer. Permission is given to transmit and archive this article via UseNet news in its original form only. All other rights reserved. Yawn. ] Characters: Elvar : Half elven warrior mage, seeking Knowledge Watcher : Farmer from Generican area with eidetic memory --------------------------------------------------------------------- > "I apologise again. I must seem rude, and I have no intention of being so. > I would welcome some conversation -- it is only by sharing what we know that > we can learn, is it not so? Come, let me buy you some ale, and see if we > cannot learn something of each other. Prehaps you can aid me in my search > for knowledge of this world we live in." "You have the right of it there, I suppose. And I do not easily take offence -- although Goddess knows, I have enough opportunity. Tell me of your travels, maybe?" The old man sat back in his chair. "Certainly. But let me first obtain a refill of my cup - and one for you, too." Instead of signalling to the waitress, Elvar rose and walked to the bar. It took no more than a moment to attract the attention of the barman, who took his order and quickly began filling the cups. "So you're talking with old Watcher, then?" came the question, possibly with a hint of suspicion on it. "You want to watch that one. He's a devil for finding out your secrets, and being plain nosey. He just knows too much, I say, and that's not good. A man's got to have some privacy in his life." "Really?" replied the half-elf, showing more interest. "In my opinion, I would say that no-one could possibly know too much... but then, that's just my way, I suppose. Be sure I will take care of myself." He gathered up his purchases, and returned to the fire. The barman returned to his work quickly, as now that evening had begun to draw in the bar was beginning to fill. He had far too much work to be bothered about old Watcher again. * * * The two talked for several hours that evening, and Elvar found much to fascinate him in the old man, who seemed content to be called Watcher -- at least, no alternative name was forthcoming. The man certainly seemed to have an amazing capacity for knowledge, and was remarkably perceptive. Elvar avoided any questions as to his earlier history with the skill of long practice. Whilst he was heppy to have the opportunity to discuss recent travels, he knew that he could trust noone with more sensitive details -- not any more. And especially not a human, for although his common sense told him that all people were individuals and should be judged on their own merits, he could not help but be wary of the untrustworthiness and cruelty of men. "Tell me," Elvar asked, later on as the fire burned lower, "why did you come over to speak to me? Surely there are many travellers like myself who pass through here who could provide you with news. So I ask, why choose me?" The old man paused. "Well," he replied, "it is difficult to explain. When I first saw you coming through the door, I thought I had seen you before -- and yet I now know that I could not have done so. There is something about you that I remember, and yet do not. I had hoped that by talking to you I could resolve the problem." "Well, that is no great problem. You may have met me in passing, or someone who was similar to me. Men can forget -" "No!" The old man exploded suddenly. "Not I." A hunted, haggard look suddenly set into his face. "I forget nothing. Ever since that day, I have remembered _everything_ that has happened. That is my curse." Elvar looked on in surprise. "Everything? I grant you have an exceptional memory, but surely -" "Everything! I could describe to you, in minute detail, everyone who walked through that door on this day ten years ago, as if it had just happened. My mind sometimes feels that it would explode with the information, and yet it still keeps pounding in." He clutched at his head, covering his ears. Elvar waited a moment, as the man calmed down. "How did this happen?" he asked, quietly. "Forget what I said, I beg of you." said Watcher, in a calmer voice, although he winced as he said the word 'forget'. "My memories torture me, they do not need to torture you. It was the wine talking -- and I have been too long without a friendly ear to hear my grief. Suffice to say I doubtless deserved the punishment, although Goddess knows I would rather she had killed me." He paused for a while, and then added, "It was a long time ago." Although Elvar burned with curiosity, something made him cease in his questioning. Partly a respect for the old farmer's privacy, and partly a growing realisation of just how terrible the man's curse was -- everyone had memories best forgotten or suppressed, and sometimes it was better to be able to turn a deaf ear to avoid hearing other people's business. He placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "I shall not mention it again. Please, tell me more of that Sorceror you mentioned -- the one you heard of off to the north in Maray, was it? I would be grateful for any tales you could pass on concerning him." And, added Elvar privately to himself, concerning the whereabouts of his library. All untapped sources of magical knowledge were of great interest. -Steve ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ ADMIN: well, E. is interested in Sel Safthandor's magic books, if they still exist. The trouble is, he doesn't know if he can make it on his own. Are there any humans characters out there who would want to accompany him? Please email me if so. This story will continue in the [Elvar] thread, where we may find out the reason for Elvar's dislike of humans, and possibly why Watcher semi-recognises him. ] -- Steve Shipway steve@imperial.demon.co.uk Voice: +44 272 251700 Imperial Business Systems, 54-56 Park St, Bristol, UK Fax : +44 272 252515 The opinions expressed in this message are not | Woe unto them that rise up necessarily those of Imperial Business Systems | early in the morning -Isaiah 5