From alt.pub.dragons-inn Thu Apr 27 12:32:28 1995
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From: chaut02@csulb.edu (Toan Chau)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Dragon Root
Date: 27 Apr 1995 17:47:36 GMT
Organization: Cal State Long Beach
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	I have travelled much.  With these now jaded eyes I had seen the 
world over...and beyond.  With these now wrinkled fingers I had touch the 
face of gods...and more.  With this now wrinkled face I had charmed the 
hearts of many...and stolen some.  I've done many things, most I can't 
remember now...but I do know that I have travelled much.
	One travel I was fond of was a trip to an island in the east.  
Mind you, this was in ancient times before magic became science.  Oh, 
these were exciting times indeed...in a land called the Japans.

	He was first born of the Nakayama Clan, raised as a politition, 
scholar, magician, alchemist, and warrior.  These were the traits, and 
duties, of one who was to someday inherit the throne and become emperor 
to rule all of Japan.  He took no pride in his heritage, for he was 
humble.  He stayed focus in his learnings, for he had honor.  He was 
first in all of his discipline, for he was Shogun.  Above all, he was Shogun.
	He could smell the inscent as we walked the mile long hallway to 
the Emperor's throne room.  The principles behind the mile hallway was to 
say focus on your path, to never sway from it, and most important to 
honor the Emperor.  He had walked it many times in his twenty-three 
years and all in many forms. Sometimes, as a child running to see his 
father.  Other times, student to teacher.  But now, it was soldier to 
Emperor.  He reached the golden, twenty feet high double doors.  And as if 
knowing his presence it opened.  
	"You serve the Emperor well."  He mumbled under his breath to the 
door.
	"As do you my Shogun."  The door replied.
	He walked further in the chamber and kneeled in front of the 
throne with his head bowing, as it was the way his father taught 
him. 
	"Ryu, your brother Hiro his betrayed the clan."  The emperor spoke.
	"Yes, my Emperor. He has betrayed the clan." Ryu responed.
	"He has sold us out to the vampire Lord Godammling.  He has no 
honor, therefore he deserve no honorary suicide riturial. He has fled 
across the oceans to the west, as if that will protect him.  I want you to 
take a legion of my samuri, and track him like the dog that he is.  Follow him 
across what ever oceans he may cross, over any mountain he may 
climb, through all forest he may travel.  And when you find him, 
strike him down wit, Nariko, our family blade so that the blade 
may quench its thirst for vengence."
	"Yes, my Emperor.  Strike him down with Nariko."  Ryu replied.
	"Go at dawn's break. Remember, where ever your travels takes you 
tell no one that you are Shogun, but never forget that you are." 
	"Yes, my Emperor."  Ryu replied, with his head still bowed he 
slowly backed away from the emperor, still facing him with head 
always bowed.  
	"Ryu, my son, be swift and be careful."  The Emperor gently 
spoke.  His tone had change from Emperor to soldier to father 
to son.  Ryu knew this tone and looked up into his father's eyes 
and smiled.  No further words were exchanged, none were need. It 
never took much to say how much you cared about someone.
	Ryu retired to his chamber and prepared for the coming 
morning.  There would be no dreams tonight for the Shogun, but 
then again the Shogun lived by actions and deeds and not by 
dreams...            
		(to be continued)

	        

--
				Toan Chau
				chaut02@csulb.edu
				California State University Long Beach