From alt.pub.dragons-inn Sun Feb 19 19:41:42 1995
Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:8140
Path: netcom.com!ix.netcom.com!howland.reston.ans.net!news.moneng.mei.com!uwm.edu!news.alpha.net!mvb.saic.com!netnews.wku.edu!wkuvx2.wku.edu!hilanse
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [CERNBORN] Dinner With A Stranger
Message-ID: <1995Feb15.123933.1@wkuvx2.wku.edu>
From: hilanse@wkuvx1.wku.edu (Wonko The Sane)
Date: 15 Feb 95 12:39:33 CDT
Organization: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Nntp-Posting-Host: wkuvx2
Nntp-Posting-User: hilanse
Lines: 156

     Athorbalo nodded, still staring at Cernborn, "Yes, I believe that I'm
ready to order." Her blue eyes met his, and she wondered at the lack of
focus that they had. He looked to the bar and gestured to the barmaid.
While they waited, Athorbalo sipped the wine that had been waiting for her
when she arrived at the table. 

	The taste of the wine brought on a reverie of sights and sounds,
the Summer dances, the stories she had been told as a child, her mother's
face in the firelight, and the burning of her home. Strange, she thought,
that such joy intermixed with misery could be evoked in the same instance.
She thought again of the death of her parents, she couldn't even remember
what her attackers looked like. After they had killed her parents and her
brother, they turned on her, the scars she bore...

"My Lady?", Cernborn almost shouted.

Athorbalo quickly regained her senses and looked at the expectant barmaid.
"Ah..Sorry..eggplant parmigiana", she said, "and a glass of water,"
Athorbalo paused and looked at Cernborn again, "And some bread, toasted
with garlic and butter." 

The barmaid turned to Cernborn.  "A Hunter's stew would be fine.
Bread and cheese as well."

The barmaid rolled her eyes audibly, the people in this place got weirder
by the minute. At least she could handle the man's request this time.
She smiled as best she could and told them that it would only be a
moment. She made a beeline for Rowan to determine what exactly
Eggplant Parmigiana was.

Cernborn smiled at Athorbalo and said, "You looked as though you were
visiting old friends."

She choked, unnerved by his intuition, and after recovering replied,
"Woolgathering, I think its the wine."  Grinning and trying to change the
subject, she said, "Why is it that you are here, really? You obviously are
monied, and even though you are a bit eccentric, I'm sure there are many
who would be willing to settle you down." Athorbalo chuckled as she
finished speaking.

The barmaid returned, before he could answer, with both meals, Athorbalo
looked at the dubious fare and began to eat, not altogether daintily.

Cernborn picked up a fork, fumbled, and dropped it.  Muttering under
his breath and this time using his left hand, he found the fork and
started to eat.  Several minutes passed as he thought about the best
way to respond.  Athorbalo concentrated for the moment on her meal.

"Perhaps, before I answer, I should know how you are called?"

"Oh.  Sorry, I was so intrigued by your request that I forgot to
introduce myself.  I'm Athorbalo."

"Very good, my lady Athorbalo.  But before I launch into long tales,
perhaps we could settle the matter of the room?"  Cernborn had been
rubbing his arms and and especially his legs more frequently in the
past several minutes and looked distinctly uncomfortable.  "As I trust
the good innkeeper has mentioned, I will pay for your room as well as
your trouble."

"Yes.  He did mention that.  And that will be fine, if you satisfy my
curiousity first.  Most lords simply demand and do not pay others for
their inconvenience.  Why all this?"  Athorbalo stated bluntly.

Cernborn resumed eating, debating how to answer, and studying
Athorbalo's face as she waited.  Her eyes showed a wisdom and
experience her youthfulness denied even by elven standards.  He felt
that somehow, he could trust her as long as he did not toy with her
and that she would eventually return that trust.  He could tell that
she had been scarred and not simply physically; a scarring that went
much deeper and was vastly harder to heal, though on the surface, most
would never be able to tell.  She had buried it well.

His instinct to heal and help those in need around him had been
roused. At times this instinct was so strong, that he often ignored
his own needs.  Cernborn knew that she needed a new purpose, something
to do which would help distance her from whatever she had experienced.
And, eventually, someone to talk to, to release her inner turmoil.

Cernborn finally replied quite seriously.  "I do not believe in
abusing my station."  He chuckled slightly, obviously trying to
lighten the atmosphere. "Accidents of birth should not excuse anyone
from having proper manners."  

"As to your previous question, I am looking for someone.  I believe he
is here in this city, but I do not know for certain."  His eyes
narrowed as he considered something.  "Perhaps, you would be
interested helping me?"  He chuckled again.  "If the truth be known, I
do not even know into what land I have fallen!"

"Now, in regards to the room, my skin condition is requiring prompt
attention.  As I said, I have neglected it for too long."  He mopped
up the last of the stew with a hunk of bread.  "Would you at least
allow me to bathe now and then we can resume this conversation later
this night?  Truly, all I require is prompt bathing, you may keep the
room for the night if you wish."  

Cernborn's tone was almost pleading.  Athorbalo had not had many men at
her mercy, at least not in this way.  The sense of power was quite
thrilling.  She was still confused why he simply had not demanded her
room and kicked her out.  In spite of what he had said, she did not
believe he really believed that and was just humoring her.  She felt
like pushing him, to find out just how much power she had over him.

"You do know that there is a common bath which actually consists of a
large pool.  That would certainly be more comfortable than a tiny
bathtub," she replied.

He replied in the same easy-going manner he had spoken previously,
though a sense of urgency underscored it that had not been present
before, "My skin condition is somewhat shocking to behold.  I prefer
to spare those around me and bathe in privacy."

Again, Athorbalo could tell that he was telling the truth, but not the
whole truth.  She laughed to herself at the irony of someone of her
stature getting the largest bathtub in the inn.  Deciding not to push
further, she finally agreed, "If all you need is a bath, then you can
take it, but I'll keep the room for the night."  She handed him the
key.  "It's up the stairs on the right a couple of doors down."  She
caught his hand while he was taking the key.  "I'll know if anything's
been touched," she whispered out of habit, though her intuition was
telling her that it was unnecessary.

"Then, if you will excuse me, the matter really is quite urgent now.
I should be back within the hour."  Cernborn stood, gave her a slight
bow, and quickly disappeared up the stairs.

Athorbalo sat, staring at the stairs.  _What a strange character.  I
wonder what he's hiding._  She sat there deliberating if she wanted to
attempt spying on the man.  She had sensed power in the man, and
wasn't sure if she wanted to test him too far.

After about 10 minutes, her curiousity getting the better of her, she
rose from the table and went to the stairwell, debating with herself over
the matter of invading his privacy. She slipped up the stairs silently and
went to her room. Using her second key to open it, she cracked the door and
peered inside.

Her bedroom was empty, but she could her water dripping in the bath,
Athorbalo approached the door and looked into the bathroom. His clothing
was folded and stacked immaculately in the corner. The tub itself was full
to the top with water, though she was unable to see into the tub because of
her point of view. She was about to step in when the she heard movement in
the tub. Moving quickly, she retreated from the bathroom, then walked out
of her room, locking the door behind her.

Athorbalo returned to the table downstairs, waiting for his return. She cursed
herself over how stupid it was to have spied on him like she had. She knew
that it was wrong, but she couldn't change what had already been done, and
now her curiosity had been piqued. She would assist him in finding this man
he sought, not just for the money, but to learn more about this enigmatic
stranger.

-----------
Lord Captain Cernborn        &    Athorbalo
tolsen@leland.stanford.edu        hilanse@wkuvx1.wku.edu