From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon Sep 19 10:09:49 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7697 Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!swiss.ans.net!malgudi.oar.net!sun!vax.cns.muskingum.edu!hsexauer From: hsexauer@muskingum.edu (Rapunzel) Subject: [Legacy] Eavesdropping Message-ID: <1994Sep15.225723.1@muskingum.edu> Lines: 168 Sender: root@sun.cns.muskingum.edu (Operator) Organization: Muskingum College Date: Fri, 16 Sep 1994 02:57:23 GMT Minutes passed while the concealed eavesdroppers watched with morbid fascination. Given the size of the aperture that let them watch the proceedings, it was difficult to determine exactly how many Shekiren gathered in the room beyond. One thing Aleric knew without a doubt, there were far more in there than Tevore had accounted for. An expectant hush fell over those present as a midnight-blue robed figure swept into their midst. Ruel hissed in warning, recognizing the one who flanked the newcomer. He whispered to Aleric, identifying the icarus as one who lately had guarded the stockade above the waterfall. The view was only there for fleeting moment before the two had passed beyond the narrow range of vision they commanded. The voices, however, were not so restricted. "I have good news for you, my loyal subjects," came a rough feminine voice. "It would seem that we have guests. The long awaited party of Nilsangehir has graciously accepted our invitation." A scattering of laughter flickered through the chamber and settled again into respectful silence. "My informant here reports to seeing them leave the catacombs at sunrise outside the east gate. They have since entered the keep quite boldly through the main portal, though not without a token payment." "Shall we dispatch them for you, my lady?" someone asked eagerly. A brief pause. "While I commend your dedication, I think not. There are but four of them, Nilsangehir included. Let them come. I should like to amuse myself watching them for a bit. You may make a cursory search of course. Wouldn't want them to become complacent after all." The voice ended on a higher note, sounding like the speaker smiled as she said it. The audience shifted slightly in amusement. Murmured comments and remarks were passed among the Shekiren. The sound of someone clapping brought them back to attention. "Now, your instructions. The outlanders are none of our concern. Kill them. As for the Lyorns, I wish the girl consumed. But bring Nilsangehir to me, unharmed." "But lady, what of Xel'ha?" a worried voice asked. "Surely you do not wish that in your presence!" The female voice sighed and answered with great patience ill concealing the tension. "Divest him of it of course, you idiot! Without it, he can do nothing to us. It will be a pleasure to see that power corrupted and added to our ranks. I will accomplish it myself. Only after he is dealt with will you bring the blade to me. Together with Xel'eman, it will give me enough power to look beyond the confines of this one Vale. I grow weary of it after so long." There was no mistaking the dismissal. The Shekiren filed out of the chamber silently, assuming their duties automatically. At last all but the midnight robed had left. The smooth voice of the icarus exused itself from her presence. A draft of faintly sulfur scented air drifted into the antechamber where the fugitives hid as the icarus passed the doorway. It paused, half turning with the face lifted. Aleric and his companions shrank away from the door. Their saving grace came from a most unexpected source. "Leave me now. I wish to be alone." The tone brooked no argument. The icarus glanced once into the darkened sliver at the doorway and left. Silence. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard from the other room. Finally footfalls sounded and the midnight robed figure came into view and sank into a chair near the cold fireplace opposite. Pale hands reached up and threw back the hood. The face revealed beneath was pale, like the other Shekiren they had seen, and with the fine boned features of a Lyorn the rest had. Seen only in profile, her pale white blonde hair fell loose around her neck and ears. The eyes closed wearily and her head leaned back against the high, padded back of the chair. She opened her eyes again and rolled her head to the side, gazing at a marble carving on the mantle of the fireplace. "Ah, Ryll. There are days I wish I had listened to your advice. It's not an easy path I chose, but now I must follow it to its end," she said softly in the hoarse tones. "I grow so very tired..." A furtive scratching at the door brought her bolt upright, hands automatically reaching for the hood to draw it over her head again. "Yes?" she called. The door opened and a Shekiren entered. "They've split the group. The Lyorn girl and the female outlander are in the west wing, and seem to be coming this direction." "Fine. Take the Lyorn, kill the other one." "As you wish, my lady." The man bowed and made his way to the exit. The woman stopped him before he left. "I'll be in my tower. Bring me news there," she said. He nodded and withdrew. She levered herself out of the chair slowly, turned to face the marble carving. With a sigh, she raised a hand and casually blasted the carving to dust. Pulling the hood and cloak closer around herself, she swept out of the chamber. Elcoran released his bated breath quickly. That had been just a little too close for comfort. "I thought that icarus was going to smell us for a minute there." "He did," Ruel clarified. "But he was prevented the chance of denouncing us by the mistress there. He knows we're here though, and he won't let us live if he can help it." "You think he's waiting for us out there?" "Not in the hall, specifically, but in the vicinity." Aleric pushed open the door cautiously. He stepped into the outer room and glanced about. "Clear. You heard them, the others are here in the keep somewhere probably looking for us." He raked a hand through his hair like he usually did when preoccupied. Aleric frowned pensively. "I'm not sure if I should be unduly concerned that the Shekiren think Jaer is me or not. They won't hurt him, but they'll all be concentrating on finding him." "It will keep them off our backs and free to move," Elcoran pointed out. Aleric nodded slowly. "True. If we can get to the celestial blade before they find us we can steal it and rejoin the rest. After that it won't matter too much if they find Jaerodyn," Ruel said, scratching the scars on his cheek lightly. "Just one problem. Kieriah and Laurenth have separated from Durstrin and Jaerodyn for some reason. I'm more worried about them right now. They'll kill Laurenth, and Kia has no protection against the Shekiren like Jaerodyn does. They know she's not Nilsangehir," the Lyorn said, chewing absently on his lip. Ruel clasped Aleric's shoulder. "Then it's up to us to make sure nothing happens. Come, my friend, lead on. The sooner we recover Xel'eman the sooner we can get to the ladies." Aleric favored the valeman with an unreadable look. He lifted the corner of his mouth in a half-smile. "Elcoran, ready?" The elven lad grinned with a reckless air. "Then we're upward bound. I can feel something pulling at me, urging me on. We're getting close, I know we are!" -- hsexauer@muskingum.edu Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H.L. Mencken