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From: ignacio@morgan.cs.odu.edu (Anthony Ignacio)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Merc]
Date: 4 Apr 1995 02:22:11 GMT
Organization: Old Dominion University, Department of Computer Science
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Large puffy white clouds blanketed the darkening sky from horizon to
horizon.  A steady stream of large crystalline snowflakes drifted
lightly down to settle on well-lit buildings, cobblestone streets,
and homeward bound citizens.

Kelanen pulled his hooded cloak tighter about his broad frame as he
trudged through slush toward a large wooden building with a faded sign
of two crossed dagger blades hanging above its entrance.  He paused
at the entry to dust off flakes of snow that had settled over his arms
and legs then slowly swung the sturdy oak door open.  The intermingled
smells of woodsmoke, oiled weaponry, and spilled ale assaulted his
nostrils as he slipped silently into the building's smoky interior.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


"I will pay a hundred gold coins for passage with your caravan!"

The stocky merchant looked up from behind his mahogany desk at the
young female speaking to him.  Rolling ink-stained sleeves back up
past his elbows, he regarded her petite figure with a dismissing
frown.

"Your sum is generous but I'll not have the responsibility of taking
a silly-minded nobleman's daughter through a Wyvern infested pass on
my head...in this bloody weather!" he grumbled irritably.

"Master merchant," she pleaded, "there are no others planning to brave
the pass 'til Spring.  This is my only chance to get through this
season!"

"M'lady, what could be so important about getting to Mirathe that it
could not wait 'til the Spring thaws?"

Shuffling her feet, she avoided his steady gaze.  Composing herself,
she looked up and flashed him her brightest dimpled smile and answered,
"It's important business, so important I may not speak of it."

The merchant laughed and replied, "You lie almost as badly as my own
daughter."  Sighing he added, "Very well you can travel with my wagons
but be warned, you come at your own risk."

She nodded solemly and smiled then slipped quickly out of the mer-
chant's office before he could voice any more objections.

"Damn fool child.  That hundred coins would greatly help defray my
costs though."  Shaking his head resignedly, he muttered under his
breath, "I'll need to hire more guards.  Curse me for a foolish old
man..."


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


A piercing shriek shattered the mountain range's pre-dawn stillness.
The steady whoosh of beating wings soon followed in the wake of the
waking creature's primal cry.  A black, powerfully muscled Wyvern
slowly took to the air in flight from a hidden den within the sheer
cliff face in search of today's prey.


-- Anthony