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From: pcalvert@economics.adelaide.edu.au (...sage)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Dougl] seems like old times?
Date: 24 Jan 1995 05:03:26 GMT
Organization: the basement of the Great Library of Generica
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*** posted for the Northern Paladin by ...sage

Helios and Ghyle returned to the inn, wondering where they would turn next.
Gark and Gook tagged along behind, thumping each other as they walked, until
Gark tripped and fell into a puddle. The sound of Gook's laughter caused both
Helios and Ghyle to turn, but both shrugged and continued on their way to
the inn.
Further up the street the inn hove into sight, it's weather-worn sign
swinging in the breeze.
"Ghlye, I am despondent."
"So I noticed, Helios. Why?"
The question seemed genuine enough, so with a sigh Helios shrugged
his shoulders and said
"I have now been in Generica for a week or two and not one of my old
companions has crossed my path, save the staff of the inn. I had hoped,
after my years of absence that I would be able to renew my old acquaintances.
Radan? No sign. Karl? No sign. Firecat? Killian? No sign. They are clearly
at least out of the city, but I haven't even heard mention of their names."
Ghyle gazed up at his centaur friend.
"Fear not, Helios, I'm sure we'll find someone soon..."
With that the two entered the inn.

*****

Helios walked up to the bar, the sound of hoof-beats once more bringing
Rowan Littlefair from behind the bar.
"Helios, welcome back again. Your usual golden mead?"
"Thank you, Littlefair."
"What, no smile for the barkeep? Tell me, plainrunner, what's on your
equine mind?"
Helios' brow furrowed momentarilly.
"Equine mind? While I am related to horses, my mind is not the same..."
"Of course, Helios... I see you still haven't fully mastered the sense-
of-humour thing."
"No... as to your question, I am concerned that I have not found anyone
of my old companions in the city since my return."
"Try checking out the corners. You never know who you'll find..."
With that Rowan placed the mead before Helios, along with some wine for
Ghyle, and returned to the kitchens.
Ghyle looked quizzically at Helios.
"Check out the corners? What did he mean, Helios."
A small grin appeared on Helios' visage.
"Count the corners, Ghyle."
"What? Inns have four corners, simple as that..."
Ghle turned to face the opne floor and for the first time started
counting the corners of the inn. After a dozen his face showede nothing
but absolute confusement.
"But how is this possible?????"
"It's the Dragons' Inn. Don't ask."

With that Helios himself began scanning the corners. Some were empty,
a number were full of strangers enjoying their own drinks and convers-
ations. One contained a young man, nursing a small cup, emblazonned with
a small shield. The man seemed somehow familiar to Helios and after a
few moments the familiarity struck him... Lyra? Aron's beloved before he
had died. Could this gentleman be related? His mind raced as he tried to
place the face with his memories. Only one face came remotely close - that
of Dougl, Lyra's child and Karl's "foster" son.

"Dougl?"
It barely came out as a whisper.
He bagan to cross the floor towards the youth's corner.
"Dougl???"
He said it louder now, and the youth raised his head at the sound
of his name.
"Dougl????? Is it really you?

A look of recognition slowly spread over Helios' face as Dougl named
the only centaur he had ever known -
"Helios Darkmane et Soesor...."

************************
Your shot Dougl...
************************


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* Northern #
* Paladin  #  a.k.a. cmiller@metz.une.edu.au
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