From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Oct 25 07:18:38 1995
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From: s0210429@unix1.cc.ysu.edu (Liontos N Lampros)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Fate] - Zolomon Shembryll - The heir
Date: 23 Oct 1995 14:34:05 -0400
Organization: Youngstown State University
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  "Sir Zolomon Shembryll, Knyghte Captain of the Guard!"

  Zol winced under his helmet.  Despite the fact he is often called to 
the King's court, he never could get used to any herald.  Ah well, 
tradition is tradition, and honour is honour.

  Zol Walked up until he reached a Knyghteley distance from the King, as 
a sign of respect, and bowed deeply.
  In the kingdom of Ryxx, honour was important, and all knights, while 
highly honoured by the king with such title, must always remember their 
place.  Otherwise, the king had a right to fight the upstart to avenge 
his honour.
  The king stood and walked down to where Zol stood, kneeling with a 
bowed head.  He placed his hand on the helmet, and tapped.  At that 
signal, the knyghte rose, and removed his helmet.
  "Sir Zol, doth thou knowest the purpose of my summons?"
  Zol looked at the king, face impassive.  "Nay my liege, I know nothing 
of thine request."
  Having performed the ritual acceptance of the knyghte, the King 
carefully made his way back to the throne.  "All men, despite standing, 
grow old.  I am one of those men who must face the inevitability of 
fate.  Methinks that I approach my final day, and I am still without heir."
  Zol's face frowned slightly, as permitted.  "My liege?"
  "Dost thou rememberest mine wife's report as to the loss of my heir?"
  "Aye, your majesty."  The report was the fact that the child, five days 
old at the time, was taken in a raid of a caravan from Kortac, where the 
child was born.  The family had grieved the loss, although the loss 
hadn't damaged the king's judgement to his work.
  But now, Zol saw what it was going to do to the royal family.  Without 
an heir, the Ryxx line will fail, and the populace at large will declare 
war upon themselves, as many an eligible bachelor will fight for the 
honour of marrying the Queen.  Zol himself would probably join in, if 
only to keep the traitors from succeeding.
  The king nodded.  "That heir thou must now find.  Evil is afoot, and 
Mran Quetsor is hungrily eyeing my wife.  Despite mine belief in thy 
ability, thou wouldst not possibly stand against that creature that Mran 
has for a slave."  Zol grunted agreement.
  The king then stood, and saluted Zolomon in a gesture of completion.  
The audience with the king was over.
  As Zolomon stood out in the courtyard his mind buzzed with the 
excitement of the quest his king had given to him.  However, he would 
have to go it alone, for while the king is feeling his years, Zol doubted 
he would die anytime soon.  What he worried most about was the 
possibility that if he brought anyone with him, the others would kill the 
heir to prevent him from taking the throne.
  And Zol would not let that happen, no matter what!