From alt.pub.dragons-inn Sat Mar  4 11:02:38 1995
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From: tolsen@leland.Stanford.EDU (Tanya Ann Olsen)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Cernborn] [At the Inn] After dinner conversation...
Date: 3 Mar 1995 13:43:09 -0800
Organization: Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
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>Athorbalo watched Cernborn disappear upstairs, shaking her head. She looked
>around the Inn and the stranger was sitting in a corner watching her. She
>finished her wine and walked over to his table, taking a seat casually. 
>"And what did you learn this evening, that you didn't know before?" She
>grinned and said, "Besides the fact that you need to be more inconspicuous."

The stranger returned the smile, which puckered a thin scar on his
left  cheek.  He inclined his head slightly and touched the fingers of
his right hand to his forehead as he said,  "May the light of Urr
illume and guide you, fair lady.  I meant no disrespect ,but I found
your conversation to be most interesting." He stood and bowed deeply
at the waist saying, "My name is Gyles Dormani."

Gyles wore white, billowy pants tucked into highly polished black knee
boots. His torso was covered in some sort of leather armor, deep red
in color with a crimson sash tied about his waist.  Athorbalo's keen
eyes noted several throwing knives hidden within the sash.  His eyes
were green, accented nicely by his dark brown skin.  His black hair
was slicked back and tied with a cord of purest silver. About his neck
dangled a silver medallion shaped like the head of a fox. A scimitar
was belted on his left side, and a red cloak hung from his shoulders.

Athorbalo chuckled at his formality. "Good evening, my name is
Athorbalo, if you didn't already gather that." She paused, waiting for
it to sink in a bit, then continued, "Why are you so interested in my
dinner companion?" She arched her eyebrow questioningly, waiting for
his response.

"I am, as you can see, a stranger to this place.  My home is a distant
land called Al'Hazzod, but that is a story for another time.  I heard
your friend give a man's description and then the name Marque.  I
believe I saw this man as I made my way into town.  He was standing
near the street, talking with some one.  I noticed him because he had
an aura similar to a man that I am, or was, pursuing.  I am Knight of
the Jackal, and I was sent on a mission by my King to find a brigand
named Jezzail and bring him to justice. It is known that Jezzail
consorts with the vilest of people and creatures. He is also a master
of the black arts.  He leads the largest group of outlaws in the whole
of Al'Hazzod.  The King tired of Jezzail's troublesome ways and sent
myself and 10 of my brothers to find him. 

"When we did finally corner the son of a camel trader, he called upon
his dark powers and caused a great storm to erupt.  The storm was so
fierce, that we were all separated.  Darkness enveloped me, and I lost
consciousness.  When I awoke, I was laying in a forest glade not far
from this town.  I entered the town, saw this man Marque, and came
here. I am not sure if there is any connection between Marque and
Jezzail, but I mean to find out. I believe it may be my only way
home. 

"Now tell me of yourself and your companion.  Perhaps we can work
together to reach our goals.  As Salim would say ' Alone you carry a
single stone, together you can build a wall.'"

"I don't know about *our* goals; I was hired by the gentleman I
was just talking with.  I'm not at liberty to discuss what we are
doing," Athorbalo paused, "but I can tell you to meet him here
tomorrow morning and tell him what you just told me." Her eyes looked
into his, "He will accept your help, and he will assist you, I am
certain." "Good eve' milord."  Athorbalo left Gyles' table and was
headed up the stairs to her room when she was approached by the woman
in the brown robe with scarring all over her face.

"Pardon me, but I also couldn't help overhearing your friend's
story. I too have seen the man he is looking for in this town."

Athorbalo lifted her eyebrows, "Popular fellow, this Marque," she
muttered to herself.  The woman started to speak, but Athorbalo spoke
up instead.  "I will tell you what I told the dark man in the corner,
be here tomorrow morning, early. I am sure that the Lord Captain will
be willing to accept your assistance."  She smiled at the woman in the
brown robe.

"Very well, until tomorrow morning then?  I bid you good night, good
lady."

Athorbalo nodded, "Yes, tomorrow morning, unfortunately it is not the
end of my evening." She smiled again, "Good eve'." Athorbalo returned
to her room to retrieve her cloak. She fastened it and left the Inn,
noticing that Gyles and the woman in the brown robes had both left the
commons room.

She pulled the hood over her head, silently moving through the
darkness and rain.  Athorbalo headed for the rougher end of the city,
in hopes of finding out more about Marque.

--------------------------
Athorbalo      hilanse@wkuvx1.wku.edu
Gyles Dormani  virtuesr@gps1.laafb.af.mil
Mi'cha Ning'ra jmc@ataxia.confusion.net