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From: reaux@csgrad.cs.vt.edu (Ray A. Reaux)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [ARTICLE 39) A name, a disguise, and an introduction
Date: 6 Mar 1995 10:34:15 -0500
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[Anders is copyrighted (1995) by Ray A. Reaux and Dougl is copyrighted 
by Dennis Brennan. Permission is provided for distribution and archiving 
on the net, but all other rights are reserved.]

>Dougl accepted Anders' offer, settling himself on the wet bench with
>an indelicate "squish".  Blushing at his own embarassment, and at the
>disapproving glance of the woman at a nearby table who obviously did
>_not_ like getting wet, Dougl meekly called for an order of warm porridge.
>As he turned to face his companion, wet ashes dripped off the remains of
>his charred tunic, leaving brown holes and gritty stains on his garment.

>Dougl tucked his apothecaries' cup away in a discreet pouch.  "Well," he
>explained to Anders, "It looks like there's no need to flash this around
>anymore."  Finally remembering his manners, Dougl extended his hand.
>"I'm Dougl.  Officer Aloysius contacted me about this mission right after
>I gradu... after I finished a training program."  Dougl caught himself
>almost revealing too much about himself.  After all, in a war against
>crime and corruption such as was planned, it would do well to keep
>details about one's personal life quiet.

>"So, if it please you, do introduce yourself so that we can begin to
>plan our activities."
                                                      
It was only because Dougl was wiping his wet face off with an equally
damp handkerchief that Dougl did not see the flicker of panic on Anders
face.  Anders clamped his terror back inside himself and mastered his
facial expression before Dougl again looked up, although he was
apprehensive about his skill at maintaining a gambler's face.  He had
always lost to Master Tyrel, and in fact most of the other monks, when
they played the tiles.  Master Tyrel had once remarked that he despaired
of Anders ever becoming a priest because he was too transparent.  However,
Anders could never get Master Tyrel to clarify that remark.

"I'm Anders, eh Anders Galligen, lately of the Legion."  This time
Anders remembered to use the patrinomial name of the wounded warrior
he was impersonating, at least he thought Galligen was the name since he
had seen it branded on the inside of his saddle bag.  Anders wanted
to kick himself; although he had used the warrior's patrinomial name,
he had already given dougl his own given name.  What was that name
Dougl had mentioned, officer Alyosius? "Alyosius sent me to help you
out.  He thought you might need some backup, it being potentially
dangerous and all that."

Anders didn't know what activities Dougl was involved in, but
judging by the reception that the real Galligen had received,
whatever it was, it involved some not so nice people.  Dougl on
the other hand was definitely a gentleman in manner and grooming.
Although he was dressed in commoners clothing, the clothing was clean
and new, and his hair was neatly styled, reflecting meticulous detail.

"Uh, since I am just in from the border and new in the city, Alyosius
suggested that I take the lead from you in this. That's fine by me
since my experience doesn't quite lend itself to events in Generica."
            
Dougl  did not ask, although he wondered what possible experience
Anders could have.  He certainly didn't look like a seasoned
Legionnaire, especially with that ridiculous excuse for a mustache.  If
Anders needed some quick money, he could probably sell his facial hair
to a lapidary for making brushes suitable for painting gold onto
delicate jewel filigree.  It was that fine and almost invisible.
The man was definitely odd.  Dougl wondered if he should ask about the
whispy thundercloud he thought he had seen over Ander's head. The one he
couldn't really see now.  But Dougl decided not to, reasoning that it
might be an apparitional side effect of the Dragon's Inn's fire
extinguishing spell.  Perhaps the Inn's fire supression spell had
elemental precognition built into it?

Dougl considered himself a good judge of character, and his people meter
was screaming that this man was very young and naive. But look who's
talking, he thought to himself.  He isn't that much younger than you
are.  But if Alyosius had sent him, he must have some experience or
asset.  Well shouldn't he have.

"How much did Alyosius tell you?" Dougl asked.

"Not much, just the basics."  Anders decided to see if he could bolster
his credibility and also get more information.  "You know how cautious
he is. He said that you would fill me in with the details"