From alt.pub.dragons-inn Sat Dec 31 15:01:59 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:8032 Path: netcom.com!ix.netcom.com!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail From: farrago@netcom.com (D'Maris D. Coffman) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [DRAGON'S INN] - "The New Adventure" Date: 30 Dec 1994 04:30:38 -0600 Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway Lines: 75 Sender: nobody@cs.utexas.edu Message-ID: References: <199412272124.NAA11661@mail2.netcom.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: news.cs.utexas.edu ======================================================================== [DRAGON'S INN] - "The New Adventure..." Date: 12.30.1994 > "I am... A'in," he heard his voice say. "If you would venture > the Blood Sea, then you will need my magics at your side. If you > mean to venture it...and live." > > He was marginally aware that the dwarf was nodding, but his > attention was focused on Halgorn, who was studying him intently. > 'What do you see, highborn?' he asked silently. Night-black hair, > woven through with silver and colored crystal? Pale skin, with > features sharp enough to draw blood? A gaunt stranger, clad in > furs of hoarfox and sable? What mask am I wearing tonight? > > Halgorn's gaze wondered from the dwarf, to the emerald-and- > ivory bauble, then back to him. "And your price, sorcerer?" > > "The acknowledged debt of the House of Ereyiel." Halgorn Ereyiel arched his eyebrows ever so slightly, studying the one before him. Another half-breed, he decided. Part high elven, like himself, no doubt, and, like so many others of his caste, wanting an entre into a royal house. The ranger had been more fortunate than most who shared his lot. He and his twin brother were bastards, born to Gelerina Ereyiel, the crown princess. For six and two score years, he had lived among his mother's people. He had not needed the acknowledgement of a father who died in battle before his sons were born. Instead, Halgorn carried the badge of the House of Ereyiel and its name. A decade ago, his brother, Halborn had disappeared. He was sent as an emissary to the halls of the aquatic elves. To the surprise of all, he had not returned. Like his twin, Halborn was a ranger, but more than that, he was also of the druidic orders. The brotherhood had searched for him, turning up little more than a badly worn trail. Halgorn had followed it, for his lord, for his mother, and for himself. That search had brought him to Dragon's Inn. And, now, a sorcerer and a powerful one, no doubt, offered him service, in exchange for an acknowledged debt. He could not help but feel a certain kinship to the man. But for the grace of others, his plight would have been similar. In the mysterious A'in, Halgorn Ereyiel saw the unmistakable, though valiantly hidden, pain of one cast aside. The half elven ranger saw something else. Here was a lean and hungry wolf, whose very features could slice his prey. Such animals were dangerous. Nonetheless, he had little other option. Finally, Halgorn spoke, nodding his head in a bow, "Should we succeed, the King, my lord, will acknowledge the debt himself. Any equipment, magical components or provisions you require, I shall provide." Turning slowly to Ciaran of Flotsam, he asked, "And you, Sir, would you be willing to accompany us as a guide? My offer stands, if you are not adverse to the companionship of elves," he continued, offering A'in a barely perceptible wink. Respectfully submitted, Halgorn Ereyiel (D'Maris Coffman: farrago@netcom.com) Notes: Heinrich: Back to you. Halgorn's offer is as before. Ciaran is free to name his price. Brannon: Here's an entrance for you. Perhaps, Ciaran will not have to suffer the companionship of elves on his own.