From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon Oct 9 21:35:31 1995 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:8772 Path: netcom.com!ix.netcom.com!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!tcsi.tcs.com!uunet!in1.uu.net!interaccess!d183.nb.interaccess.com!bstripp From: bstripp@interaccess.com (Bill Stripp) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Gabriel] Chapter 2 - A strange invitation Date: Mon, 9 Oct 1995 10:40:39 Organization: InterAccess,Chicagoland's Full Service Internet Provider Lines: 329 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: d183.nb.interaccess.com X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev B final beta #4] [Admin] Ok it has taken me a long time to get this out. Between travel I have managed to get this out and most of the next part. If any of you want an earlier post please tell me. [What has happened before] Gabriel has come to Generica only to find the woman he loved selected to become the avatar of Illiana, the Earth mother. He has roamed Generica until he found Addon, a potter in need of help. He now is working with Adddon in his shop. At the end of the chapter we were introduced to a nefarious character who is beginning his plot. He sends one of his minions to do his bidding. [Chapter 2: A Strange Invitation] A cool wind rustled through the leaves of the tall trees breathing the scent of the open sea. The dying sun cast reds and purples about in a last glorious moment framing the Generican sky. Gabriel stretched and turned slightly, luxuriating in the soft, thick grass. In doing so he disturbed Christina who had been resting on his arm. "Hey!" She cried out as her head fell to the grass. "Sorry, my arm was falling asleep," Gabriel replied. "Are you trying to say I'm heavyset Gabriel?" She asked with mock anger in her voice, "I'm sure we can easily replace an apprentice..." "Hah! How soon you forget, oh sharp tongued vixen, that I am a master in Addon's shop." He replied majestically. Her giggle at his pompous statement was quickly covered up, "I would think in Generica that I could find a dozen masters to work with Addon in his shop." "With the amount you are working me, no sane person would come!" He snapped back. "Well..." she trailed, smiling. Work at Addon's had been steadily picking up as Gabriel released his wares. His phenomenal skill at the potters wheel was being noticed by the nobility and merchants of the town. Orders for dining sets of hundreds were mixed in with individual pieces for the local townsfolk. It had meant long hours for the small shop, with Gabriel taking the brunt of it. Addon, who wished to help more, was succumbing to age and could not match the hectic pace that the shop now required. With the amount of work coming in Gabriel needed time to get out of the small shop on occasion. Tempers had flared in the tiny work area under the strain of orders. He had found escape in the Generican gardens. Over the past few weeks he had come here many times with Christina to relax amidst the plants in the garden. It offered a serene peaceful setting for him to unwind. The Gardens occupied a natural depression north of the Ceruputhon. They had been erected in the early years of the city, planted by people long since forgotten. Over the years they had grown into the secluded shady wonder that they were today. The perimeter was surrounded by graceful brick walls, coated with exotic ivy from many locals. These walls shut out the noise and confusion of the city and made the Garden an oasis of tranquility in the city. Patrons could walk down into the garden and find a moment of peace and harmony in a beautiful setting. Soon the sun fell behind the rise of the outer garden. A dim light remained as the sun sent it's last farewell to Generica. Gabriel and Christina stood up, brushing off small bits of grass and dirt that clung to them. A man turned around the corner of the path. Wrapped in a coarse brown robe he carried a staff and several small pouches. He paused at a thick tree and quickly motioned at it. A golden light began to shine from a bauble artfully hung in the tree. It's warm rays illuminated the cobblestone path. Gabriel watched him for a bit as he tended to a plant along the path. For a moment it looked to him like the man and plant were conversing. However, the light shifted and it became obvious that he was just tending to the roots and removing weeds. Turning back to Christina he spoke, "Well I suppose we should be getting back soon. There is much to do in the morning." "Yeah, there is the order for Count DonAdder. He has an entire dining set that he wants completed for some event." "You know, I often wish I was back on the mountain... We made what we needed and nothing more. I don't think I ever made a set of more than 4 pieces, yet your counts and princes have been ordering sets of hundreds! I have never cast this many pieces in such a short time!" "They're not *my* counts and princes!" "That's right you are my dear," came a strange voice. Startled both Gabriel and Christina turned to see the man standing before them. While he appeared old, there was a timeless quality to him that belied the evidence written into skin which looked more like leather. Thick, solid hands wrapped around the staff which he leaned upon. His tangled brown hair rode his head in a moss like carpet which complimented his thick eyebrows. From the structure of his face, he could have easily looked haughty, but the soft look in his eyes erased whatever harsh looks nature had given him. "I'm sorry if I have scared you both." He replied in a deep oaken voice. "Uh... no problem friend." Gabriel responded staring at the man standing before him. A moment passed as Gabriel and Christina waited for the man to state his intentions. When it became clear that none was coming Gabriel spoke again. "Is there something we can do for you?" "Nothing, and many things I'm sure. I have seen you here enjoying the garden over the past weeks." "Well it is a wonderful garden," piped Christina. The old man smiled warmly, "Thank you. It is my job to keep these gardens growing and living." "Well you do a good job then, friend... what can we call you?" Gabriel asked. "Most people simply call me the Gardener. For you, that will do fine." As he was speaking a small ground squirrel scampered up to him. Noticing Gabriel and Christina it darted under the old mans robes. He stopped speaking and stepped back revealing the squirrel. Looking down at it he offered the wide warm smile. It stopped and sat back on its haunches. "It looks like he trusts you, Gardener." Gabriel said. "It is an acquired skill. They have seen me here enough not to be frightened. As I said earlier I have seen you here many nights enjoying the garden. It pleases me. There are too many these days that have not the time to enjoy the fruits of the earth. They are wrapped up in affairs of man and have no time for this place," the Gardener spoke conjuring the vision of the bustling city. "Well, I need the quiet. I'm not from around here originally and the city life is a bit much to take." "This much I know," he stated as if he knew for certain. "Ok...." Gabriel paused taken aback wondering who this man really was. "You do not have the air of the city. It is written across this one here," he said pointing at Christina, "while it is not bad, it is merely obvious if you look hard enough." Relieved Gabriel continued his interrupted speech, "As you said I need the quiet now and then. I guess I'm not made for the city life." "We all adapt to our settings." The Gardener replied. The squirrel who had been ignored long enough, scampered over to Gabriel's foot. After smelling it and looking up at Gabriel it proceeded to curl up in between his feet and fall to sleep. "As you see, everything adapts in time, it is just a matter of how long. You will find your niche here Gabriel." Christina had bend over to look at the Squirrel sleeping away at Gabriel's feet. "It's so cute," she said rubbing the soft fur of the sleeping Squirrel. "Yes, it appears my friend is a little tired to be entertaining guests tonight. Well so be it." With that said he reached down and picked up the squirrel. Gently he placed the squirrel into one of the low hanging branches of the tree above. Satisfied with the placement of the furry creature he turned back to Gabriel and Christina. "Well I have much to do and little of tonight to do it with. I will leave you be." "It was nice to meet you, Gardener." Christina said. "Oh, how could I forget..." the Gardener said while opening a pouch at his waist. "This is for you Gabriel," he said while handing over a delicate ring. Gabriel took the ring and looked at it. It appeared to be a wooden sculpture of ivy leaves, wrapping around in an eternal loop. The craftsmanship was incredible, not one tool mark showed from the carving. The wood was stained to a deep hue and looked to be oaken of some type. "I can't take this from you! It's incredible, it must be worth a small fortune!" "Value is in the eye of the beholder. To me it is nothing more than a trinket, to be given to a man whom appreciates my gardens. Take it and enjoy it for what it is worth." Gabriel placed it on his finger and marveled at the smooth fit. He looked at it for a moment. "It looks like it was made for you," Christina remarked looking at the ring. Gabriel looked up to thank the old man and was startled to realize that he was not there. Christina also noticed the man's absence and shook her head. "What a strange man... I wonder what that was all about," she commented pausing for a long moment, "no matter, we should get going, it's getting dark and Addon will be worried." "You're right we should." They stood up and walked down the cobblestone path. Fireflies had started to come out and they punctuated the dark Generican night with small stabs of light. The lanterns in the garden beaconed the couple down the path and out of the Gardens. By the time they had exited the gardens, the last vestiges of the sun had disappeared and night had warped around the city like a cloak. The streets were sparsely populated and candlelight shown from windows of merchants and families. They were able to quickly make it to the center of the city and stepped out onto the Plaza of Glittering Steel. The Plaza was an area, that for no particular reason, had transformed from the cobblestone square into a smooth steel finish. It had become home to numerous beggars during the night as they huddled close to the still warm metal when a cool wind blew in from the sea. Tonight was no different as a number of beggars sprawled over the Plaza. A few looked up, but most were wrapped up against the cold and did not stir. He could hear the commotion from the Dragon's Inn and he lapsed into silence thinking of his entry into Generica. Christina would not let him sulk in his moods for long. She chatted at him oblivious to his moods. Soon he could not help but smile and by the time that they crossed the Cepthurion river he was laughing and chatting with her. They made it back to Addon's in good time. As it was late neither expected Addon to be up or about. Stopping at the door Christina turned to him, "Thank you for another wonderful evening Gabriel. I really enjoyed myself." " Tis my pleasure, lady." They stood for a moment looking at each other. Each lost in thought. "You know I kind of wish..." she trailed the thought for a moment starring into his eyes. "What is that?" "Oh never mind. It's a silly thought anyway." She beamed a smile at him that made him forget the supple body next to his, or the hidden suggestion of the past moment. Her smile saved them from an awkward situation as the door burst open and a bedraggled Addon stepped out. "By all of the God's are you two coming in? You can have time for all of that glassy eyed stuff later! Things are afoot!" They stared at him for a moment, his robe flapping in the wind and his stringy hair billowing. With his arms raised above his head waving madly, he looked like a deranged priest conducting a ritual. They broke into laughter. "This is no laughing matter you two, come in, come in!" Looking to one another Gabriel shrugged his shoulders and the two entered behind the slightly frantic Addon. "What is the matter Addon?" Christina asked. "Nothing is wrong, just odd. A curious messenger stopped by today and dropped off this." He said producing a parchment wrapped in a thin red ribbon. "I have been dying to read this and you two have taken your sweet time about getting back." Gabriel reached to take the parchment while Christina spoke, "You could have opened it Addon. Besides we were just enjoying the city Gardens." "I wouldn't open it with the royal seal of Duke Trazkus on it. When the messenger said it was for Gabriel there was no way that I was going to touch it. Store orders and correspondence, fine, royal letters, no thank you." Breaking the seal Gabriel quickly read through the ornate letter. Christina and Addon both crowded near to witness the letter. "An invitation for dinner with the Duke? Why does he want to see you?" Christina exclaimed. "I don't know, I really don't know..." Gabriel, Addon, and Christina are copyrighted by Bill Stripp. The Gardener is a character I read in the tourist guide so if anyone has a problem with me using him, post me. Other than that, please don't reproduce this and sell it... as you won't make any money. That's all folks.