From alt.pub.dragons-inn Fri Apr 7 23:09:20 1995 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:8267 Path: netcom.com!ix.netcom.com!howland.reston.ans.net!paladin.american.edu!zombie.ncsc.mil!news.duke.edu!solaris.cc.vt.edu!server.cs.vt.edu!reaux From: reaux@csgrad.cs.vt.edu (Ray A. Reaux) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Article 39] A Boy, a Message, and a Thump Date: 6 Apr 1995 11:10:52 -0400 Organization: CS Dept, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Lines: 173 Distribution: world Message-ID: <3m109s$6vd@csgrad.cs.vt.edu> Reply-To: reaux@cs.vt.edu (Ray A. Reaux) NNTP-Posting-Host: csgrad.cs.vt.edu X-Newsreader: mxrn 6.18-20 ::Anders is copyrighted 1995 by Ray Reaux. Dougl is copyrighted by Dennis ::Brennan. All rights other than distribution on the net is 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 very 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" "I guess we play it by the Dragon's ear." Dougl smiled, "Maybe we should explain a little more about ourselves. "I am a newly installed member of the Militant Order of St. Cuthbert. I was looking for an assignment when Alyosius approached me to serve as a special protectorate of the city, one who has not been corrupted by politics or greed. It seems that much of the city officials, including the ruling council are corrupt and consider themselves above the law, and the normal policing officials are ill equipped to enforce the laws. So Alyosius invoked Article 39 of the Generica City COde, which briefly states that the Senior Guard can appoint special offices who have discretionary powers to use any necessary and appropriate measures to enforce the city's Laws. And we answer directly to Alyosius." "Uh, yes, so Alyosius told me," Anders nodded in agreement. When Dougl stopped talking, obviously waiting for Anders to begin his explanation of his involvement, Anders started sweating. "Uh, well, I was working on the Border with the Eagle Legion when I got a message from Alyosius. Uh, he and I saw service together, well years ago." Anders wracked his brains for some border skirmish which he could relate. All he could think of the Battle of Skeln Pass, which Master Tyrel had often mentioned. "Well, we served together at the Battle of Skeln Pass." "That was 12 years ago, wasn't it? Dougl asked. Anders winced inside and his stomach tied itself into knots, although he kept his face reasonably calm. "No, not that one." Anders improvised. "The one I am talking about was much later. We on the border call it the Second Battle of Skeln Pass. It wasn't really such a big thing, so I guess it didn't get much play among the town criers and the raggedy men." Dougl seemed to be satisfied with the explanation, which relaxed Anders stomach a little. "Anyways," Anders continued before Dougl could really analyze what he had said, " Alyosius knew I was reliable and had no stake in the city's affairs, so he contacted me." A boy strutted up to the table, interrupting their conversation. Barely 13, he swaggered with the cockiness that only youth and years of street living could bestow. "Yah guys Dougl?" he asked in a street tough voice which reflected long hours of practice to wring every drop of toughness out of a pubescent voice. "I'm Dougl," and who are you." "I's don't matter. Man outside told me to give you this." He tossed a slip of parchment onto the table. "He also tol me you'll gift me a silver eagle." Dougl sighed, he couldn't afford much more of this grand living, reached into his purse, and flipped a silver eagle to the child. The boy caught the coin and slipped it into his tattered and grungy clothing. As Dougl unfolded the parchment to read, the boy turned and disappeared back into the anonymity of the tavern room. "What's it say," asked Anders, leaning forward to get a better look at the parchment. "Hmm, it says we need to go to the Ilmariane House of Spice and talk to the one-eyed dog." Dougl leaned back against the wall. "A one-eyed dog, do you know what that means? How can you talk to a dog, one-eyed or otherwise" "Could it be code, you know, like spy talk." "Spy talk, nothing I am aware of, but the that's more along your line of work then mine, since you are the military man here." "It's not any code I recognize," Anders responded hastily, although as a scribe, he did have some familiarity with codes, decoding the message would require time and analysis. "Maybe it's a nickname. Why don't we just go down there and check it out." Just then, they heard a high pitched scream and a loud thump. They looked up from their conversation to see a hushed room. Although most people were still at their tables, several people, including some gnomes, standing around a body lying on the floor. "Well she's dead, Jim" they heard a man who was kneeling next to the body, say to his companion, a balding warrior. The kneeling man was wearing a cloak embroidered with the sigil of the healers guild. "Not much we can do for her but call the coroner." His companion muttered something to him which only the healer could hear. "My God, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a magician." the healer replied heatedly. "Think we should help," Anders asked Dougl. "I'm not sure we can do much here." Dougl tossed a couple of copper coins on the table to pay for his unfinished porridge. "Let's go to Ilmariane's Spice House." [[[[[[Anyone else want to join in? ]]]]]]]