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From: lysettedb@aol.com (LysetteDB)
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Subject: [Lycandra] Chapter 2
Date: 9 Apr 1995 14:11:24 -0400
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   Synopsis: Lycandra has come to the inn, revealing only that she
seeks a wizard or sage to help with a terrible curse.  She has
rented a room, and is on her way there to rest.

-------------

            Chapter 2

   Lycandra moved quietly from the bar to the stairway at the far end
of the room.  

   She passed a group of three men seated near the fire
who had been getting steadily louder as the evening wore on.  They
were a rough-looking lot, ill-grooming very apparent by the pervasive
odour about them, and ill-dressed in neglected leather armour that had 
seen much better days.  A casual observer would probably classify
them as mercenary caravan guards.  Now off duty, they were spending
their time and money getting drunk, not that they were always sober
when on the job.

   As Lycandra hurried past them, the largest of them leaned back
and roughly grabbed her arm.  "Where are you going in such a hurry
Little One?" he asked through a mouth showing several teeth missing
through a lecherous smile.  "Why not spend some time with some real 
men?"

   Lycandra caught her breath and recoiled from the touch of the knave
but his grip was strong and firm.  "Release me," she said simply.

   The man ignored her request.  "Come sit on my lap and I'll keep
you warm,"  he laughed as he pulled her toward him.  "It's such a cold 
night out you'll want someone to keep the chill away!"

   The others were pounding the table and showing their approval of
their comrade's jest, and no one noticed the blue-green of Lycandra's
eyes dim as the whites behind them suddenly blazed with an unearthly
light.

   "No, my love," Lycandra whispered to herself so quietly that no one
else heard.  "Not here.  Not now.  Just help me a little, yes?"

   Her eyes returned to normal.

   Lycanrda resisted the pull of the ruffian and turned her hand to
grip the arm of the man who held her.

   Suddenly, the mercenary captain howled with pain and released
his grip.  He looked down at his arm, very confused, to see five
small, deep wounds oozing blood.  Whatever hurt him had gone
right through his heavy leather armguard.

   Lycandra flexed her hand.  One of the other men at the table could
have sworn an instant ago that was no hand but a monstrous claw.
Must be the drink, he thought.  All he saw now was the hand of a
beautiful woman.

   "Sharp nails will scratch," Lycandra spat at her molester.  "I did 
say to release me, did I not?"

   The man began to rise from his seat but Lycandra put on a fierce
look and caught his eyes in hers.  He suddenly developed an even
more vacant look than usual and quickly sat again.

   "Leave me be," she hissed, and released her stare.  The man put his
hands to his head as if he suddenly developed a migraine, then
turned away to vomit.  

   His comrades concerned with the health of their captain (who
obviously just had too much to drink they thought) gave not even
a second thought to Lycandra as she proceeded to the stairs
that led to her room.  


-----

Lysette DuBois
LysetteDB@aol.com