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From: byer1662@utdallas.edu
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Dark Warrior II
Date: 18 Dec 1994 16:09:42 -0600
Organization: The University of Texas at Dallas
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	"Do you anything about alchemy,... or riddles?"
	The girl just started to sit down when a pewter mug went flying 
through the air, narrowly missing her head.  The stranger kicked back as 
warm ale soaked his clothes, and the chair fell onto its back.  He 
backrolled into a crouch and drew one of the short sword crossed on his 
back.  He studied the miner for a second, then, realizing the drunken 
stupor the miner was in, sheathed his sword and stood.  He pulled the 
chainmail hood back from his face.  His hair was stark white, although he 
couldn't have been more than 22 turns of age.  His eyes were as blue as 
the deep sea, with a strange, flaring light that shone out.  He walked 
over to the miner's table, not caring that the whole inn was watching 
him.  A large ogre had come out of the back, carrying a pan almost big 
enough to cook him in.
	*Have to be careful about that one.*, he thought.
	He stood next to the table, and the miner belligerently stood, 
swaying slightly.  
	"What are you?  Never seen you're like before.  Go on, get out!"
	The stranger put four gold coins down on the table, again with 
the strange stamp mark, then turned to the ogre.
	"Two for any damages, two to have my friend here given a room and 
put to bed."
	The miner shoved himself in the young man's face.
	"I have no intention of going to bed!  I'm going to sit here and 
enjoy......"
	The stranger stared into the miner's eyes, and Ranne thought she 
could see a flare of blue go from the stranger's eyes to the miner's, 
just before the miner passed out.  The stranger returned to the table and 
righted his chair, and motioned for her to sit down.  Another serving 
maid came over and took their orders, then brought him a towl to wipe off 
the ale clinging to his chainmail.  He slipped the chainmail off and 
began wiping in down as he looked at the girl.  She carried a backpack in 
her arms, and a huge book peeked out of an open flap.
	"Alchemy, hmm?  Or riddles?  I distrust Alchemy, for it is less 
precise then most forms of magic I know.  I have some experience with 
riddles, yes.  I am called Rikus Kalarin, out of Tanthamere.  You are 
called Ranne."
	The girl looked at him questioningly before nodding.
	"I's a talent I have sometimes."
	"Riddles, hmm?  What can I help you with, miss?"
	Rikus put his legs up and sipped his whiskey while the girl talked...