From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 30 Jul 1999 05:11:32 EDT
The Baron's Tournament had gone well... surprisingly well, as a matter of fact. Very few problems had occurred, and they all were cleared up quickly. Drake hadn't meant to call every duel herself but she'd kept putting off asking the others, so few of them were available on the days the Tournament was held after all.
Late after the first night of the Tourney, she'd finished her paperwork and teleported for home... falling into a deep, dreamless sleep the moment she lay her head upon her pillow. She awoke the next morning rested, but ill at ease... For Dragons, even half breeds like herself, dreams were an important part of life. They acted as keys to the past, both personal and of the race as a whole. To sleep without dreaming was much like drinking
without swallowing. The essence of the act was there, but the nourishment was lacking.
The second night of the Tourney started off unevenly... three of the Barons were late to arrive, so the original schedule she had plotted had to be thrown out. Still, the final victor of the Tourney was not clear until nearly all the duels had been fought... so things worked out well anyway. Weary, Drake did only a small amount of the final paperwork, leaving the rest to two amateur statisticians who'd been watching the Tourney. When she'd
arrived home, it was late and Jhess had already fallen asleep... just as the night before.
After checking in on Adelie, Drake undressed and climbed in to bed herself... but this night was different from the last... and from any night before, for this night brought nightmares...
Some dreams begin well and take bizarre or sinister turns. This one was ghastly from the start. A strong sense of being pursued, fleeing from nameless terror, stumbling and clawing through an utterly black subterranean passage clogged with shattered rock, heartbeat triphammering in her chest and her ears, then the abrupt pitch forward into nothingness, then the horrific acceleration of a fall that continues... continues...
She awoke in bedclothes cold with sweat, certain only that the fall was real... yet equally certain that it was not a memory she saw, but an event that had happened to someone close to her...
(TBC)
( Authoress' note: The next post will include some events from my calling shift on Thursday... if you were there, you are more than welcome to post your character's observations. )
Dreams, thence to Nightmares (SL, not post)
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 30 Jul 1999 11:52:38 EDT
That entire day, Drakewyn pushed aside thoughts about the nightmare and what it might mean. Spending her one truely free day a week with her daughter and her wife allowed her a much needed respite from the constant demands on her time... as well as the challenges to her authority and claims that were posited about her.
She'd made sure to complete the Standings before the Tourney, and arrangements back in Haaristad were such that she only needed to check in on an irregular basis... so she was more than willing to forget about what might be another demand upon her spirit.
That evening, she went to her office and completed the final touches to the Standings, making sure that copies would go to those who had requested them as well as the others on the staff who needed them for their own work. Just as she was finishing her work for the eve, there came a knock upon her door.
Bidding the person enter, she was taken aback to see who it was... Kalerin De'larin the man who once, until but a few weeks before they had met, had been Jhessail's husband for a time. They exchanged guarded pleasantries, talking of old times and shared experiences. But always was the tiniest twinge of fear... fear that somehow this man might take Jhess from her.
The evening wore on and Drakewyn feigned weariness, excusing herself from her unexpected guest. Promising a future meeting, she escorted him from her office, locking the door and transporting herself home quickly thereafter.
Though she knew she ought, Drake did not tell Jhess of her visitor as the prepared for bed... Delilah would be arriving in the morning, and they both knew they needed sleep to deal with both young girls and all the trouble they were sure to get into.
Yet, that night, the nightmares returned.
A vague impression, a flicker of vision - a man, old, acutely lost, caverns lined with red fire, extravagent effort against relentless assault, a blade limned in flame matching the flicker on nearby rock, the sizzle of inhuman blood, hopeless retreat...
...a shattering of steel on cunning stone, the futility of defense with only a shard left attached to the hilt in hand, her (his?) back to the abyss, a hand snatching at the ankle, stumbling over backwards, and again the eternally terrifying fall.
She awoke, breathless and startled... yet more startling to her was that Jhessail slept on. Always before, they seemed so in tune with each other's moods and feelings. Could these dreams be working to destroy that fragile balance?
Lady Drake, aka the Gryphon.
Date: 30 Jul 1999 11:52:38 EDT
That entire day, Drakewyn pushed aside thoughts about the nightmare and what it might mean. Spending her one truely free day a week with her daughter and her wife allowed her a much needed respite from the constant demands on her time... as well as the challenges to her authority and claims that were posited about her.
She'd made sure to complete the Standings before the Tourney, and arrangements back in Haaristad were such that she only needed to check in on an irregular basis... so she was more than willing to forget about what might be another demand upon her spirit.
That evening, she went to her office and completed the final touches to the Standings, making sure that copies would go to those who had requested them as well as the others on the staff who needed them for their own work. Just as she was finishing her work for the eve, there came a knock upon her door.
Bidding the person enter, she was taken aback to see who it was... Kalerin De'larin the man who once, until but a few weeks before they had met, had been Jhessail's husband for a time. They exchanged guarded pleasantries, talking of old times and shared experiences. But always was the tiniest twinge of fear... fear that somehow this man might take Jhess from her.
The evening wore on and Drakewyn feigned weariness, excusing herself from her unexpected guest. Promising a future meeting, she escorted him from her office, locking the door and transporting herself home quickly thereafter.
Though she knew she ought, Drake did not tell Jhess of her visitor as the prepared for bed... Delilah would be arriving in the morning, and they both knew they needed sleep to deal with both young girls and all the trouble they were sure to get into.
Yet, that night, the nightmares returned.
A vague impression, a flicker of vision - a man, old, acutely lost, caverns lined with red fire, extravagent effort against relentless assault, a blade limned in flame matching the flicker on nearby rock, the sizzle of inhuman blood, hopeless retreat...
...a shattering of steel on cunning stone, the futility of defense with only a shard left attached to the hilt in hand, her (his?) back to the abyss, a hand snatching at the ankle, stumbling over backwards, and again the eternally terrifying fall.
She awoke, breathless and startled... yet more startling to her was that Jhessail slept on. Always before, they seemed so in tune with each other's moods and feelings. Could these dreams be working to destroy that fragile balance?
Lady Drake, aka the Gryphon.
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 02 Aug 1999 00:51:49 EDT
Still uneasy from the nightmares that crowded her night, Drake transported herself to the Manor to meet Perri and Delilah.
"Mommy!" came the little girl's shout as she appeared, the five year old bundle of boundless energy running up and grabbing ahold of her leg. "Daddy got me new shoes! See!" She backed up a step and held up one foot, showing off her shiney red shoe.
"They're very pretty, little one..." replied Drake with a tolerant smile. Then she smiled to her ex-husband. "Has she been keeping you busy?"
"Not as much as the provisional government has been," replied Perri. "I'd thought that I could've retired after the government was set up, but they're constantly asking for more advice and work." He chuckled a bit as he walked over to her. "You look like you haven't been getting a lot of sleep either. Any problems?"
"Just the usual amount of overwork..." she replied. She was glad they'd gotten past the problems that had broken them apart, but she didn't want to find herself turning to him with her problems. "See you Monday morning?"
"Actually," he replied. "I'm going to be busy the first part of next week... and Delilah's tutor is away on a short vacation... is that going to be a problem?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Not at all... just have leave a message in my box at the Arena when you're done."
He nodded and knelt down to give Delilah a kiss goodbye. "You be good for your mommy now." At their daughter's nod, he stood and walked down the path to the waiting carriage.
Delilah was quick to pick up on her mother's pensive mood, and quickly went about attempting to cheer her up. She and Adelie started playing their favorite game... 'Animal Parade'... dancing the various stuffed animals around the room, taking turns immitating the sounds that each one made.
Drakewyn usually enjoyed watching her daughters, and even sometimes joining in their game... but she found her attention drawn to two of the toy animals in particular. The first was the elephant, the one Delilah had named 'Dauw', and declared the leader of the parade. The second was the old stuffed bear. Adelie had very carefully set the battered toy up by the door, Delilah saying that "he's da...the guard, 'cause he's the oldededest one."
"Oldest one." came Jhess' quiet correction from the studio, followed quickly by a soft chuckle.
Drake smiled softly, pushing aside her worries for the nonce.
Later that evening, she transported herself to the Arena for her usual calling shift. The Arena was busy, and the trio of callers were doing their best to keep up. "Alright Kin," she said, summoning up a group of air elementals to help her keep track of the rings and scores. "I'll get four started."
Four quickly turned into five, and she lost herself in her work... not even noticing Kinryu coming over and starting to massage her shoulders. "You should get some sleep" he said, adjusting his hands.
She was startled for a moment, but quickly overcame that reaction. Blinking a few times, she looked over her shoulder at him. "Oh, that's who's doing that."
He smiled back at her, smooching her nose. "Aye, that's me."
For her, public shows of affection were things she avoided... and such things from people she only considered friends were things the rarely tolerated. "Please don't do that... you don't know me that well yet." Rubbing her nose, she turned her attention back to the rings.
He grinned at her, pausing in the shoulder massage. "You mean to smooch your cute lil nose, or the whole massage thing?"
"The 'smooching' thing." she replied, rolling her eyes.
He laughed softly and continued his work. "'Kay then. Was just in harmless fun." He gave her neck a friendly, warm caress as he finished up the massage and slipped out from behind her. "Get some more sleep, lass."
"Sleep isn't doing me much good... but thanks for the thought."
"There are remedies to sleepless or troubled nights, Drake. Feel free to stop by the roof of the Rhydin castle and speak with me."
"Probably wouldn't work well for me Kinryu... Be being half-dragon and all."
"I'm half dragon also, Drake. I think it should." He gave a friendly smile, then exited from the Arena.
The rest of the night wore heavily on her... the crowd remained heavy, and the constant requests for duels slowed her reactions to the reports given her by the air elementals. Finally, her shift neared it's end. Jaycy grabbed her jacket from her locker to take over the queue and help Heath finish the night.
Wearily, she said her goodbyes and headed for her office. Twinges of uncertainty held her from going home, just yet.
(TBC)
Date: 02 Aug 1999 00:51:49 EDT
Still uneasy from the nightmares that crowded her night, Drake transported herself to the Manor to meet Perri and Delilah.
"Mommy!" came the little girl's shout as she appeared, the five year old bundle of boundless energy running up and grabbing ahold of her leg. "Daddy got me new shoes! See!" She backed up a step and held up one foot, showing off her shiney red shoe.
"They're very pretty, little one..." replied Drake with a tolerant smile. Then she smiled to her ex-husband. "Has she been keeping you busy?"
"Not as much as the provisional government has been," replied Perri. "I'd thought that I could've retired after the government was set up, but they're constantly asking for more advice and work." He chuckled a bit as he walked over to her. "You look like you haven't been getting a lot of sleep either. Any problems?"
"Just the usual amount of overwork..." she replied. She was glad they'd gotten past the problems that had broken them apart, but she didn't want to find herself turning to him with her problems. "See you Monday morning?"
"Actually," he replied. "I'm going to be busy the first part of next week... and Delilah's tutor is away on a short vacation... is that going to be a problem?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Not at all... just have leave a message in my box at the Arena when you're done."
He nodded and knelt down to give Delilah a kiss goodbye. "You be good for your mommy now." At their daughter's nod, he stood and walked down the path to the waiting carriage.
Delilah was quick to pick up on her mother's pensive mood, and quickly went about attempting to cheer her up. She and Adelie started playing their favorite game... 'Animal Parade'... dancing the various stuffed animals around the room, taking turns immitating the sounds that each one made.
Drakewyn usually enjoyed watching her daughters, and even sometimes joining in their game... but she found her attention drawn to two of the toy animals in particular. The first was the elephant, the one Delilah had named 'Dauw', and declared the leader of the parade. The second was the old stuffed bear. Adelie had very carefully set the battered toy up by the door, Delilah saying that "he's da...the guard, 'cause he's the oldededest one."
"Oldest one." came Jhess' quiet correction from the studio, followed quickly by a soft chuckle.
Drake smiled softly, pushing aside her worries for the nonce.
Later that evening, she transported herself to the Arena for her usual calling shift. The Arena was busy, and the trio of callers were doing their best to keep up. "Alright Kin," she said, summoning up a group of air elementals to help her keep track of the rings and scores. "I'll get four started."
Four quickly turned into five, and she lost herself in her work... not even noticing Kinryu coming over and starting to massage her shoulders. "You should get some sleep" he said, adjusting his hands.
She was startled for a moment, but quickly overcame that reaction. Blinking a few times, she looked over her shoulder at him. "Oh, that's who's doing that."
He smiled back at her, smooching her nose. "Aye, that's me."
For her, public shows of affection were things she avoided... and such things from people she only considered friends were things the rarely tolerated. "Please don't do that... you don't know me that well yet." Rubbing her nose, she turned her attention back to the rings.
He grinned at her, pausing in the shoulder massage. "You mean to smooch your cute lil nose, or the whole massage thing?"
"The 'smooching' thing." she replied, rolling her eyes.
He laughed softly and continued his work. "'Kay then. Was just in harmless fun." He gave her neck a friendly, warm caress as he finished up the massage and slipped out from behind her. "Get some more sleep, lass."
"Sleep isn't doing me much good... but thanks for the thought."
"There are remedies to sleepless or troubled nights, Drake. Feel free to stop by the roof of the Rhydin castle and speak with me."
"Probably wouldn't work well for me Kinryu... Be being half-dragon and all."
"I'm half dragon also, Drake. I think it should." He gave a friendly smile, then exited from the Arena.
The rest of the night wore heavily on her... the crowd remained heavy, and the constant requests for duels slowed her reactions to the reports given her by the air elementals. Finally, her shift neared it's end. Jaycy grabbed her jacket from her locker to take over the queue and help Heath finish the night.
Wearily, she said her goodbyes and headed for her office. Twinges of uncertainty held her from going home, just yet.
(TBC)
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From: fallnaster@aol.com (Fallnaster)
Date: 03 Aug 1999 14:04:10 EDT
He had been sick. He knew that much, which in truth was very little. A sourness in his stomach that erupted into blazing fever in his head.
There had been others, travellers. He had turned quietly aside to spare them the burden of his retching, assuming he would catch up later.
There had been a storm. A preternatural assault of wind and rain, lightening and hail. And something came with the tempest, a dark and wrathful knot of chaos and malice.
He had sought shelter in a small cave from the elements... and the evil that rode the wailing winds.
The storm passed... but the venomous presence remained. He could sense its searching just outside the cavern where he huddled, shaking with ague, his head lanced with searing bolts of pain.
He had crawled to the back of the small grotto, and found a passageway.
Some paths lead to salvation.
Other paths do not.
Date: 03 Aug 1999 14:04:10 EDT
He had been sick. He knew that much, which in truth was very little. A sourness in his stomach that erupted into blazing fever in his head.
There had been others, travellers. He had turned quietly aside to spare them the burden of his retching, assuming he would catch up later.
There had been a storm. A preternatural assault of wind and rain, lightening and hail. And something came with the tempest, a dark and wrathful knot of chaos and malice.
He had sought shelter in a small cave from the elements... and the evil that rode the wailing winds.
The storm passed... but the venomous presence remained. He could sense its searching just outside the cavern where he huddled, shaking with ague, his head lanced with searing bolts of pain.
He had crawled to the back of the small grotto, and found a passageway.
Some paths lead to salvation.
Other paths do not.
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From: fallnaster@aol.com (Fallnaster)
Date: 06 Aug 1999 14:48:36 EDT
He stumbled down the passage, balancing speed and quiet along the edge of his illness, seeking to evade the searching malice.
A shift in the air, a nascent reek, warned him of pursuit.
And so he fled, heedless of the branches and tributaries of this subterranean warren, striving to outdistance the follower.
And his desperate tactics would have succeeded, had not his flight awakened other dwellers in the dark. Or mayhaps, the pursurer had driven him thus, like a deer before the beaters is driven into the jaws of the hounds and hand of the hunter.
Gaining entrance to a large chamber, he felt the flow of vermin as a rising tide over his feet and lower legs. The claws and teeth of rats tore at him as he reversed course, his sword flickering dully in the almost total gloom, breaking body after loathsome body.
He won free of the vermin.
But there were yet other creatures in the dark.
Date: 06 Aug 1999 14:48:36 EDT
He stumbled down the passage, balancing speed and quiet along the edge of his illness, seeking to evade the searching malice.
A shift in the air, a nascent reek, warned him of pursuit.
And so he fled, heedless of the branches and tributaries of this subterranean warren, striving to outdistance the follower.
And his desperate tactics would have succeeded, had not his flight awakened other dwellers in the dark. Or mayhaps, the pursurer had driven him thus, like a deer before the beaters is driven into the jaws of the hounds and hand of the hunter.
Gaining entrance to a large chamber, he felt the flow of vermin as a rising tide over his feet and lower legs. The claws and teeth of rats tore at him as he reversed course, his sword flickering dully in the almost total gloom, breaking body after loathsome body.
He won free of the vermin.
But there were yet other creatures in the dark.
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 15 Aug 1999 20:58:00 EDT
The first night she spent in Haaristad was like swimming in a cool pond after fighting with a river's rapids for so long before. The nightmares did not touch her, and the calming presence of her Draconic kin filling the realm of dreams soothed her soul.
She sent a note to Jhess, indicating that she would be staying an extra day and went about her routine. For once, the Realm of Velcour was at peace. The Empire of Rhyshek was recovering from their most recent war of assension, and the new Emperor was too busy rebuilding his capital to threaten his neighbors. Word had come from Alkar and Iral that the warriors Kelvin and Keyne had at last returned from over the sea and restored order to the
squabbling Houses of the Eastern Empire. The desert tribes had ceased their war upon the Principality of Acalan after demolishing most of that land and virtually all of it's ruling class. A few advisors recomended sending troops to the nearby territories to bring the rule of Haaristad there, but cooler heads had prevailed thus far as it seemed Acalan's old ally Hyroth would soon move at last.
If Jhessail noticed any difference in Drake when she returned at last to their home, she said nothing of it. For her own part Drakewyn thought that perhaps the nightmares had been an augury, and her return to Haaristad and work there had set things right.
But such was not the case.
The first night of her return brought with it a strange new nightmare.
Fleeing, lost, pursued... She knew not where she was, nor what pursued her. Magick would not come to her call, and the darkness around her only pressed closer... closer...
She awoke with a start, disturbing Jhess from her own rest. "What's the matter, something wrong?"
"Nothing... just the wind rattling the windows, I think." Drake gave Jhess a smile, grateful all over again of the woman's presence beside her and of the love that bound them together.
Tired as she was, Jhessail accepted that answer and was soon asleep... Drake lay down next to her, but sleep was not hers for she feared what it would bring.
The next few nights were even worse upon Drakewyn... the nightmares came while she slept, and no answers came to her mind as to why.
For a Velcourian Dragon, sleep was filled with memories... one's own memories and the memories of the kin nearest you. But these nightmares weren't part of her past, nor of Talmiurian's. They broke through her mental barriers and filled her nights.
Citing unfinished business, Drake returned to Haaristad... but this time the nightmares followed her, even to the other Realm that she was born to.
Upon her return, Drakewyn tried many things to rid herself of the nightmares... Sleeping for a scant few hours at a time, sleeping during the day, even the little bit of meditation her Father had taught her... each ploy worked, the first time... but each time the nightmares would return, as if they sought her out.
( TBC )
Date: 15 Aug 1999 20:58:00 EDT
The first night she spent in Haaristad was like swimming in a cool pond after fighting with a river's rapids for so long before. The nightmares did not touch her, and the calming presence of her Draconic kin filling the realm of dreams soothed her soul.
She sent a note to Jhess, indicating that she would be staying an extra day and went about her routine. For once, the Realm of Velcour was at peace. The Empire of Rhyshek was recovering from their most recent war of assension, and the new Emperor was too busy rebuilding his capital to threaten his neighbors. Word had come from Alkar and Iral that the warriors Kelvin and Keyne had at last returned from over the sea and restored order to the
squabbling Houses of the Eastern Empire. The desert tribes had ceased their war upon the Principality of Acalan after demolishing most of that land and virtually all of it's ruling class. A few advisors recomended sending troops to the nearby territories to bring the rule of Haaristad there, but cooler heads had prevailed thus far as it seemed Acalan's old ally Hyroth would soon move at last.
If Jhessail noticed any difference in Drake when she returned at last to their home, she said nothing of it. For her own part Drakewyn thought that perhaps the nightmares had been an augury, and her return to Haaristad and work there had set things right.
But such was not the case.
The first night of her return brought with it a strange new nightmare.
Fleeing, lost, pursued... She knew not where she was, nor what pursued her. Magick would not come to her call, and the darkness around her only pressed closer... closer...
She awoke with a start, disturbing Jhess from her own rest. "What's the matter, something wrong?"
"Nothing... just the wind rattling the windows, I think." Drake gave Jhess a smile, grateful all over again of the woman's presence beside her and of the love that bound them together.
Tired as she was, Jhessail accepted that answer and was soon asleep... Drake lay down next to her, but sleep was not hers for she feared what it would bring.
The next few nights were even worse upon Drakewyn... the nightmares came while she slept, and no answers came to her mind as to why.
For a Velcourian Dragon, sleep was filled with memories... one's own memories and the memories of the kin nearest you. But these nightmares weren't part of her past, nor of Talmiurian's. They broke through her mental barriers and filled her nights.
Citing unfinished business, Drake returned to Haaristad... but this time the nightmares followed her, even to the other Realm that she was born to.
Upon her return, Drakewyn tried many things to rid herself of the nightmares... Sleeping for a scant few hours at a time, sleeping during the day, even the little bit of meditation her Father had taught her... each ploy worked, the first time... but each time the nightmares would return, as if they sought her out.
( TBC )
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 16 Aug 1999 05:48:12 EDT
Thursday's calling shift went slow, for her anyway... She'd only managed a few hours of rest beforehand, and was very glad to see the extra help that had arrived for the night.
She left early that night, something she hadn't done in a long time. Surprisingly, no one had remarked on that, or her general listlessness... perhaps most of them had decided she was just feeling ill or under the weather.
She went down to her office to work on the letters and reports that had come in recently, then teleported herself home. A late dinner with her family, followed by a long night sitting on the front steps listening to sounds of the forest. Twice she drifted to sleep, and twice she was assaulted by the nightmares... Each time it was harder to break the grip of the terrible dreams and wake herself, and she feared what might come...
Early Friday morning, Jhess left upon another trip... she took it upon herself to watch over the creatures of the forest in addition to the friends she visted in many lands. She was often away for two or three weeks, though she promised this would be a short trip.
Drake spent the rest of the day with her daughters exploring the marketplace for new clothes... the two girls were growing rapidly, and Adelie never seemed happy with the idea of hand-me-downs from her older sister.
Late that evening, after the girls were in bed with Talmiurian watching over the cottage and young Alexis staying overnight in case of emergencies, Drake went back to her office.
In moments, she had fallen asleep... the fatigue of the week catching up with her and bringing on the nightmare again. This time, she was woken from it by shouting upstairs. Dragging herself from her chair, she headed upstairs where she heard Fyn shouting about the end of honor and respect to a seemingly less-than-concerned audience.
Cas and Jaycy were already headed for the door as Drake headed for the bar.
"Heyas, hon..." said Jaycy, trying to manage a smile.
Drake rubbed at her eyes, waving to Jaycy with her right hand. "Hey Jaycy."
Cas quirked a brow as he noticed Drake's condition. "Hon..." asked Jaycy, frowning somewhat. "You okay?"
"Just... just some nightmares..." she replied. "Nothing special."
Jaycy frowned deeper, but let it pass... Cas quietly muttered, "Liar." and went unheard.
Meanwhile, Fyn was saying, "I am new, I am not of proper Rank, all ye say that, but I am of Rhydin and the DoS, and I will not stand and watch all be destroyed, that is all I am saying."
Jaycy then turned to Fyn, speaking calmly...a lil' too much perhaps. "Do you really think we would?"
Speaking under her breath as she went behind the bar, Drake said "If it all gets destroyed, I'll just rebuild it with my bare hands... and get no credit or thanks as usual..." and began rumaging around behind the bar, obviously searching for something specific.
Curious now, Cas and Jaycy approached the bar, looking to see what she was up to. In a moment, a bottle of green liquor was set on the bartop, followed quickly by a second similar one. Cas whispered to Jaycy, "Never seen her drink... ever." Though her only reply to him was a shrug.
Fyn smiled to see the liquor being set upon the bar. "A wee dram' might be in order, an ye are pouring."
A third bottle joined the first two, this one clear... and a fourth bottle followed, this one slightly brownish. "I'm not sure you'd like this, Fyn." said Drake with a bit of a chuckle, rising up again.
"Hell," he replied with a grin. "if I liked half the stuff I hae had ta drink, I'd be a tea-totaller!"
"Those nightmares have to be a killer." whispered Cas, mostly to himself.
"It's called a Nuclear Ice Tea... though why Father called it that, I'll never know... there isn't a spot of tea in it." She glanced to Cas and Jaycy. "Want anything while I'm back here?"
"No thanks hon," said Jaycy, though she was curious. "What is in it?"
"Toss me a coke." said Cas, mildly curious as well.
"Sounds like a drink on 20th century Earth called a 'Long-Island Iced Tea'." said Fyn with a grin. "Tastes like there is nae a bit of booze in it, but will knock ye on yer keester!"
"This is like that one, Fyn..." she replied, tossing a cola from the icebox to Cas. "Only with a shot of Midori and a shot of Chambord in place of the the cola that Cas is drinking." She matched the pouring of the drinks to the words, mixing the drinks like a professional... having learned the art in her youth while traveling the taverns with her Father. "Gives it a nice green colour, very important says Father."
"These nightmares must be of Lupton-nudity proportions...." muttered Cas under his breath, half to himself. Out loud, he said, "I don't think my Father ever talked to me about that stuff.... Of course, he died young too." He took a seat at the bar, inviting Jaycy to follow.
Drake slid one glass over to Fyn, and picked up the other. "Well Cas, my Father is a Bard, and according to him, you have to know your drinks when you're a Bard."
Jaycy slid onto a stool wearily, gently setting the Baronial ring on the bar in front of her and looking at it.
"Drake," said Cas at last. "To be blunt... What the hell is going on. I've never seen you pick up alcohol before."
She chuckled a bit, then looked to Cas. "It's been a few years, that's for sure."
"I might have seen her with wine once or twice when she was married to Perri..." said Jaycy, mostly to herself.
"Aye," nodded Cas, "but that doesn't answer my question."
"I don't think I've had a drink since Delilah was born." said Drake with a shrug, then she took a long swallow from her glass. "I figure I'm owed it, Cas."
"Owed it?" he replied, having never seen her take this attitude before and a bit taken
aback.
"Yes, owed it. Gods know there's no gratitude to be hand in this place."
"Agreed." he replied again. "None show gratitude."
"Err... had..." The drink hit her fast as she hadn't eaten that day, and just woken up besides. Not to mention that she always was a lightweight when it came to alcohol.
( TBC )
Date: 16 Aug 1999 05:48:12 EDT
Thursday's calling shift went slow, for her anyway... She'd only managed a few hours of rest beforehand, and was very glad to see the extra help that had arrived for the night.
She left early that night, something she hadn't done in a long time. Surprisingly, no one had remarked on that, or her general listlessness... perhaps most of them had decided she was just feeling ill or under the weather.
She went down to her office to work on the letters and reports that had come in recently, then teleported herself home. A late dinner with her family, followed by a long night sitting on the front steps listening to sounds of the forest. Twice she drifted to sleep, and twice she was assaulted by the nightmares... Each time it was harder to break the grip of the terrible dreams and wake herself, and she feared what might come...
Early Friday morning, Jhess left upon another trip... she took it upon herself to watch over the creatures of the forest in addition to the friends she visted in many lands. She was often away for two or three weeks, though she promised this would be a short trip.
Drake spent the rest of the day with her daughters exploring the marketplace for new clothes... the two girls were growing rapidly, and Adelie never seemed happy with the idea of hand-me-downs from her older sister.
Late that evening, after the girls were in bed with Talmiurian watching over the cottage and young Alexis staying overnight in case of emergencies, Drake went back to her office.
In moments, she had fallen asleep... the fatigue of the week catching up with her and bringing on the nightmare again. This time, she was woken from it by shouting upstairs. Dragging herself from her chair, she headed upstairs where she heard Fyn shouting about the end of honor and respect to a seemingly less-than-concerned audience.
Cas and Jaycy were already headed for the door as Drake headed for the bar.
"Heyas, hon..." said Jaycy, trying to manage a smile.
Drake rubbed at her eyes, waving to Jaycy with her right hand. "Hey Jaycy."
Cas quirked a brow as he noticed Drake's condition. "Hon..." asked Jaycy, frowning somewhat. "You okay?"
"Just... just some nightmares..." she replied. "Nothing special."
Jaycy frowned deeper, but let it pass... Cas quietly muttered, "Liar." and went unheard.
Meanwhile, Fyn was saying, "I am new, I am not of proper Rank, all ye say that, but I am of Rhydin and the DoS, and I will not stand and watch all be destroyed, that is all I am saying."
Jaycy then turned to Fyn, speaking calmly...a lil' too much perhaps. "Do you really think we would?"
Speaking under her breath as she went behind the bar, Drake said "If it all gets destroyed, I'll just rebuild it with my bare hands... and get no credit or thanks as usual..." and began rumaging around behind the bar, obviously searching for something specific.
Curious now, Cas and Jaycy approached the bar, looking to see what she was up to. In a moment, a bottle of green liquor was set on the bartop, followed quickly by a second similar one. Cas whispered to Jaycy, "Never seen her drink... ever." Though her only reply to him was a shrug.
Fyn smiled to see the liquor being set upon the bar. "A wee dram' might be in order, an ye are pouring."
A third bottle joined the first two, this one clear... and a fourth bottle followed, this one slightly brownish. "I'm not sure you'd like this, Fyn." said Drake with a bit of a chuckle, rising up again.
"Hell," he replied with a grin. "if I liked half the stuff I hae had ta drink, I'd be a tea-totaller!"
"Those nightmares have to be a killer." whispered Cas, mostly to himself.
"It's called a Nuclear Ice Tea... though why Father called it that, I'll never know... there isn't a spot of tea in it." She glanced to Cas and Jaycy. "Want anything while I'm back here?"
"No thanks hon," said Jaycy, though she was curious. "What is in it?"
"Toss me a coke." said Cas, mildly curious as well.
"Sounds like a drink on 20th century Earth called a 'Long-Island Iced Tea'." said Fyn with a grin. "Tastes like there is nae a bit of booze in it, but will knock ye on yer keester!"
"This is like that one, Fyn..." she replied, tossing a cola from the icebox to Cas. "Only with a shot of Midori and a shot of Chambord in place of the the cola that Cas is drinking." She matched the pouring of the drinks to the words, mixing the drinks like a professional... having learned the art in her youth while traveling the taverns with her Father. "Gives it a nice green colour, very important says Father."
"These nightmares must be of Lupton-nudity proportions...." muttered Cas under his breath, half to himself. Out loud, he said, "I don't think my Father ever talked to me about that stuff.... Of course, he died young too." He took a seat at the bar, inviting Jaycy to follow.
Drake slid one glass over to Fyn, and picked up the other. "Well Cas, my Father is a Bard, and according to him, you have to know your drinks when you're a Bard."
Jaycy slid onto a stool wearily, gently setting the Baronial ring on the bar in front of her and looking at it.
"Drake," said Cas at last. "To be blunt... What the hell is going on. I've never seen you pick up alcohol before."
She chuckled a bit, then looked to Cas. "It's been a few years, that's for sure."
"I might have seen her with wine once or twice when she was married to Perri..." said Jaycy, mostly to herself.
"Aye," nodded Cas, "but that doesn't answer my question."
"I don't think I've had a drink since Delilah was born." said Drake with a shrug, then she took a long swallow from her glass. "I figure I'm owed it, Cas."
"Owed it?" he replied, having never seen her take this attitude before and a bit taken
aback.
"Yes, owed it. Gods know there's no gratitude to be hand in this place."
"Agreed." he replied again. "None show gratitude."
"Err... had..." The drink hit her fast as she hadn't eaten that day, and just woken up besides. Not to mention that she always was a lightweight when it came to alcohol.
( TBC )
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 19 Aug 1999 06:17:55 EDT
( Authoress' note: Should've done the text this way the first time, like I usually do. )
"So Jaycy..." Drake asked, a bit sarcastically, "going to give your ring to somebody too?" She'd been told about what Avery had done by a 'concerned patron'... who'd taken a perverse pleasure in the doing.
Jaycy shot a look to Drake. "No."
Cas replied as well, probably having discussed the matter with Jaycy already. "No, she's not."
"Good... I've got enough troubles as it is." Frowning, Drake took another long drink from her glass.
"Not yet." Jaycy muttered, meaning it as a joke, but it fell flat.
"Maybe I should take Sebastian up on his latest offer..."
"A vacation, Drake?" asked Jaycy.
"What offer is that?" was Cas' question.
Fyn lifted his glass. "A toast... to Drakewyn, a grand lady and as grand a drinkmistress!"
Distracted by Fyn, she quickly raised her glass to his then downed more of her drink. Then she turned back to her two friends. "What do you think Cas, should I have him come in and kill any five people I point out?"
"I'd say it works." he replied.
Jaycy, for her own part, was more than half asleep and she slowly drooped forward until her head dropped onto the bar and the Ring.
Drake blinked more than a few times, starting to sway just a bit. "Hey Jaycy..."
Blinking rapidly, she looked up, the ring imbedded in her forehead. "Who, me?"
"You shouldn't fall asleep there Jaycy... trust me." Sputtering, trying hard not to laugh and not doing a good job of it.
She blinked some more, her voice slurred. "Whasso funny?"
'Two women about to pass out...I'm gonna end up with a sore back tonight.' Cas thought to himself.
Drake pointed vaguely in the direction of Jaycy's forehead... of course, if she had been more than a few feet away she wouldn't have been able to see her at all. "You've got..... something on your head."
Blinking, she reached up and grabbed the ring. "Oh." She peered at it a while, then took off the chain, puts the ring where it belonged, and replaced the chain.
Frowning, Cas reached for Drake's drink... and watched as Jaycy's head dropped with a THUD on the bar.
"Jaycy?"
She looked up, rubbing her forhead. "Wha?"
"You shouldn't do that..." Nodding to add emphasis. "It hurst... hust... hurts."
Cas took a light swig from Drake's glass. He took it to keep her from getting too
drunk, but could not help trying it...and he *winced*, muttering under his breath. "Strong..."
"Drake, let's go to bed." said Jaycy tiredly.
I can't Jaycy..... you're married.
"She didn't mean that kind of 'go to bed'." said Cas, putting the drink down by Drake again, picking up his own Coke.
Jaycy rolled her eyes. "So're you. I meant ya should go to sleep and so should I."
"I've got work to do...... haven't done Guthar's list-thingie yet."
"Gunthar's insane, don't bother." said Cas.
Jaycy paused a moment, then spoke. "It can wait."
"But he's challenging, and I'll be gone tomorrow, and it really should be done you know."
"I still should be the one to test him." mumbled Cas with a chuckle.
"You're tired." shot back Jaycy, "and now you're drunk."
"I am not...." she paused for a long moment, then finished the sentence. "tired."
"Drake...." said Cas, "If I didn't respect you... I'd be having a lot of fun right now."
"Who says Zen would have him tested?" questioned Jaycy.
"Think first we should think hoo tae get Avery back!" came Fyn's interjection.
"Avery can take a flying leap for dumping another problem in my lap, the nit." she grabbed up her mostly empty glass. "Now, if you'll eschuse me, I should get back to work."
"Drake, leave the glass here." said Jaycy softly.
At that moment, Red peeked in, her short hair as mussed as short hair can be, one hand moving to cover a yawn.
"Heloo, Red!" said Fyn, raising his voice to be heard across the room.
Red's left hand twitched above the holster at her side, thinking these people looked like prime targets for her suction cup darts. "Hello there." she replied with a ghost of a smile to Fyn.
She shook her head at Jaycy, then at Cas, then stopped and held her head because that had nearly caused her to black out.
"What have we here? A party without me?" asked Red, grinning. "Drake.... Jaycy, I'm hurt."
Cas, on impulse, having noticed Jaycy was the only one who's hair wasn't mussed, leaned over and ran his hand rapidly through her hair.
"Wounded even..." continued Red.
"No parties, hon. Life sucks too much to have a party." replied Jaycy, smacking at Cas' hand. "Dude, don't make me smack ya."
"Wow, I'm scared of that." he replied with a smirk.
"Does it?" pondered Red. "Hmm, no one told me."
Jaycy blinked at Cas' reaction, then playfully whined. "Red... He's not scared of me."
"We could both smack him Jaycy." answering with a ghost of a smile."
"Hey...." said Jaycy, "Now there's an idea..." the gypsy's smile a mirror of Red's.
By then, Drake had recovered most of her equilibrium. "Here..." she said,olding out the mostly empty glass of neon-green
alcohol to Red. "Jaycy said I can't take this with me."
She took the glass and brought it up to her nose, giving it a sniff.
"Drake..." said Cas, standing. "Just go home. Go to bed."
Gasping and gagging, Red held the glass away from her face. "I'll stick with milk, thanks. What is this stuff? Paint peeler?"
"Smooth, ain't it?" said Fyn with a grin.
"I think it's turpentine." said Cas, "Tastes like it, anyway."
"Father's favorite, New-clear Ice tea."
Red smirked, "I should take this home to clean my brushes, Drake."
"Slide it ta me." said Fyn with a grin. "Mother's milk, so it is!"
Red eagerly handed the glass over to Fyn. "It's all yours."
"Drake's drunk." said Jaycy, by way of explination.
"No." replied Red, showing mock incredulation, then snickering and eliciting a chuckle from Cas.
"I've got work to do." said Drake firmly, putting on as serious a face as someone who hasn't eaten all day and is a light-weight to boot can do when she's drunk.
"It can wait." said Cas curtly.
"Slante!" Said Fyn, tossing the drink down with no experession change at all.
Red's nose crinkled, seeing Fyn actually drink the concoction.
"Red, she'll listen to you... Order her to bed, please?" Jaycy asked plaintively.
"How do you know it can wait Cas?" Drake shot back.
"Need someone to help you home Drake?" asked Red. Not waiting for an answer, she slid her arm under Drake's.
Fyn grinned. "Hey, Red, want to Tango? Surely they've got a Juke Box somewhere in this joint."
"You gonna aser all the complaint letters I get?" Not exactly noticing that Red had ahold of her.
"I will." said Jaycy helpfully.
"No, I want to!" said Red, trying hard not to laugh.
"We both could," replied Jaycy, nodding. "See who could be the most insulting while remaining polite."
Cas came up on Drake's other side, saying, "Me too!"
"Deal! Jaycy and I will answer them." Unable to help herself, Red went "Muh hah hah!" very softly at the idea.
"Red..." asked Cas, "Where do we take her?"
"The bunkhouse will do I think. I know the way." she replied. "Come on Drake. Time to go beddie bye."
"Anywhere but her office." was Jaycy's soft-voiced answer.
"Come on, I got to get this stuff done... this place will fall apart" whined Drake.
"It already has Drake..." said Cas. "Say Goodnight. It's time for bed." In an aside, he whispered to Jaycy. "Go lock her office."
"Oh! Yeah!" she replied with a nod.
"It can wait for the morning." said Red, sounding almost motherly as she guided Drake towards the back door.
( TBC )
Date: 19 Aug 1999 06:17:55 EDT
( Authoress' note: Should've done the text this way the first time, like I usually do. )
"So Jaycy..." Drake asked, a bit sarcastically, "going to give your ring to somebody too?" She'd been told about what Avery had done by a 'concerned patron'... who'd taken a perverse pleasure in the doing.
Jaycy shot a look to Drake. "No."
Cas replied as well, probably having discussed the matter with Jaycy already. "No, she's not."
"Good... I've got enough troubles as it is." Frowning, Drake took another long drink from her glass.
"Not yet." Jaycy muttered, meaning it as a joke, but it fell flat.
"Maybe I should take Sebastian up on his latest offer..."
"A vacation, Drake?" asked Jaycy.
"What offer is that?" was Cas' question.
Fyn lifted his glass. "A toast... to Drakewyn, a grand lady and as grand a drinkmistress!"
Distracted by Fyn, she quickly raised her glass to his then downed more of her drink. Then she turned back to her two friends. "What do you think Cas, should I have him come in and kill any five people I point out?"
"I'd say it works." he replied.
Jaycy, for her own part, was more than half asleep and she slowly drooped forward until her head dropped onto the bar and the Ring.
Drake blinked more than a few times, starting to sway just a bit. "Hey Jaycy..."
Blinking rapidly, she looked up, the ring imbedded in her forehead. "Who, me?"
"You shouldn't fall asleep there Jaycy... trust me." Sputtering, trying hard not to laugh and not doing a good job of it.
She blinked some more, her voice slurred. "Whasso funny?"
'Two women about to pass out...I'm gonna end up with a sore back tonight.' Cas thought to himself.
Drake pointed vaguely in the direction of Jaycy's forehead... of course, if she had been more than a few feet away she wouldn't have been able to see her at all. "You've got..... something on your head."
Blinking, she reached up and grabbed the ring. "Oh." She peered at it a while, then took off the chain, puts the ring where it belonged, and replaced the chain.
Frowning, Cas reached for Drake's drink... and watched as Jaycy's head dropped with a THUD on the bar.
"Jaycy?"
She looked up, rubbing her forhead. "Wha?"
"You shouldn't do that..." Nodding to add emphasis. "It hurst... hust... hurts."
Cas took a light swig from Drake's glass. He took it to keep her from getting too
drunk, but could not help trying it...and he *winced*, muttering under his breath. "Strong..."
"Drake, let's go to bed." said Jaycy tiredly.
I can't Jaycy..... you're married.
"She didn't mean that kind of 'go to bed'." said Cas, putting the drink down by Drake again, picking up his own Coke.
Jaycy rolled her eyes. "So're you. I meant ya should go to sleep and so should I."
"I've got work to do...... haven't done Guthar's list-thingie yet."
"Gunthar's insane, don't bother." said Cas.
Jaycy paused a moment, then spoke. "It can wait."
"But he's challenging, and I'll be gone tomorrow, and it really should be done you know."
"I still should be the one to test him." mumbled Cas with a chuckle.
"You're tired." shot back Jaycy, "and now you're drunk."
"I am not...." she paused for a long moment, then finished the sentence. "tired."
"Drake...." said Cas, "If I didn't respect you... I'd be having a lot of fun right now."
"Who says Zen would have him tested?" questioned Jaycy.
"Think first we should think hoo tae get Avery back!" came Fyn's interjection.
"Avery can take a flying leap for dumping another problem in my lap, the nit." she grabbed up her mostly empty glass. "Now, if you'll eschuse me, I should get back to work."
"Drake, leave the glass here." said Jaycy softly.
At that moment, Red peeked in, her short hair as mussed as short hair can be, one hand moving to cover a yawn.
"Heloo, Red!" said Fyn, raising his voice to be heard across the room.
Red's left hand twitched above the holster at her side, thinking these people looked like prime targets for her suction cup darts. "Hello there." she replied with a ghost of a smile to Fyn.
She shook her head at Jaycy, then at Cas, then stopped and held her head because that had nearly caused her to black out.
"What have we here? A party without me?" asked Red, grinning. "Drake.... Jaycy, I'm hurt."
Cas, on impulse, having noticed Jaycy was the only one who's hair wasn't mussed, leaned over and ran his hand rapidly through her hair.
"Wounded even..." continued Red.
"No parties, hon. Life sucks too much to have a party." replied Jaycy, smacking at Cas' hand. "Dude, don't make me smack ya."
"Wow, I'm scared of that." he replied with a smirk.
"Does it?" pondered Red. "Hmm, no one told me."
Jaycy blinked at Cas' reaction, then playfully whined. "Red... He's not scared of me."
"We could both smack him Jaycy." answering with a ghost of a smile."
"Hey...." said Jaycy, "Now there's an idea..." the gypsy's smile a mirror of Red's.
By then, Drake had recovered most of her equilibrium. "Here..." she said,olding out the mostly empty glass of neon-green
alcohol to Red. "Jaycy said I can't take this with me."
She took the glass and brought it up to her nose, giving it a sniff.
"Drake..." said Cas, standing. "Just go home. Go to bed."
Gasping and gagging, Red held the glass away from her face. "I'll stick with milk, thanks. What is this stuff? Paint peeler?"
"Smooth, ain't it?" said Fyn with a grin.
"I think it's turpentine." said Cas, "Tastes like it, anyway."
"Father's favorite, New-clear Ice tea."
Red smirked, "I should take this home to clean my brushes, Drake."
"Slide it ta me." said Fyn with a grin. "Mother's milk, so it is!"
Red eagerly handed the glass over to Fyn. "It's all yours."
"Drake's drunk." said Jaycy, by way of explination.
"No." replied Red, showing mock incredulation, then snickering and eliciting a chuckle from Cas.
"I've got work to do." said Drake firmly, putting on as serious a face as someone who hasn't eaten all day and is a light-weight to boot can do when she's drunk.
"It can wait." said Cas curtly.
"Slante!" Said Fyn, tossing the drink down with no experession change at all.
Red's nose crinkled, seeing Fyn actually drink the concoction.
"Red, she'll listen to you... Order her to bed, please?" Jaycy asked plaintively.
"How do you know it can wait Cas?" Drake shot back.
"Need someone to help you home Drake?" asked Red. Not waiting for an answer, she slid her arm under Drake's.
Fyn grinned. "Hey, Red, want to Tango? Surely they've got a Juke Box somewhere in this joint."
"You gonna aser all the complaint letters I get?" Not exactly noticing that Red had ahold of her.
"I will." said Jaycy helpfully.
"No, I want to!" said Red, trying hard not to laugh.
"We both could," replied Jaycy, nodding. "See who could be the most insulting while remaining polite."
Cas came up on Drake's other side, saying, "Me too!"
"Deal! Jaycy and I will answer them." Unable to help herself, Red went "Muh hah hah!" very softly at the idea.
"Red..." asked Cas, "Where do we take her?"
"The bunkhouse will do I think. I know the way." she replied. "Come on Drake. Time to go beddie bye."
"Anywhere but her office." was Jaycy's soft-voiced answer.
"Come on, I got to get this stuff done... this place will fall apart" whined Drake.
"It already has Drake..." said Cas. "Say Goodnight. It's time for bed." In an aside, he whispered to Jaycy. "Go lock her office."
"Oh! Yeah!" she replied with a nod.
"It can wait for the morning." said Red, sounding almost motherly as she guided Drake towards the back door.
( TBC )
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From: ryanasd@aol.com (Ryana Sd)
Date: 23 Aug 1999 13:21:09 EDT
At the Behest of a Friend:
To say that Ryana was surprised to see Red rummaging through her room when she got back to the Inn would have been an understatement, it had been nearly two years since the tall, amazon woman had last "dropped in" for a visit.
"You have nothing here to eat, Ryana.", Red glanced over at her with a mock frown, turning as she spoke to flop down on Ryana's unmade bed.
Ryana couldn't help but grin noting Red's t-shirt that read,"Plays well with others", "I suppose you have reason to be within my room and Scorch?". Ryana crossed the room and sat down heavily in a chair.
"Fell asleep.", Red pointed to a lump under the blankets, a tawny coloured tail the only visible body part. "He can't handle play like he used to."
"He's getting old, like I. But I am in a bit of a rush, Red. Shall we get down to the business of your visit?". It was true, she had very little time to spare for her old companion just now, regrettable, but nonetheless true.
For the first time in all the years Ryana had known Red the woman looked serious as she spoke,"I have a friend that you might be able to help with your... particular talents, Ryana. I'm here to ask you to try."
For the next half hour Red filled in what little detail she had on her friend Drakewyn and her perception of the situation. Ryana listened quietly asking only a few cursory questions before nodding.
"I owe you for Scorch and I told you I would not forget. I will attempt to contact this woman and offer my skills to her. I am not sure what I can do, but I will try for you Red.", she paused, "Now remove whatever "surprise" you have laid for me and return to visit me when we both have more time."
A sheepish looking Red removed some type of spring loaded pie from over the closet door, as she moved toward the exit,"Thanks Ryana, I'll stop in later."
For long moments Ryana thought of how best to approach this Drakewyn, finally settling on sending a short missive to the woman at her office below the Inn.
Lady Drakewyn,
I have been given your name and a short explanation of worry from one Red 'ur Thorne. She believes she has reason to be concerned by nightmares that plague your sleep and refuse you dire needed rest.
As she is a dear and trusted friend I offer to you my skills. I am no witch, nor magi, nor anything you are like to have heard of. In my homeland I am named Stormdancer and I can sail through dreams and sometimes locate sources of usual activity, if naught else, I can assist in interpretation.
As this will be a favor repaid, I will request that you take the time to meet with me before you decide whether or not to refuse my offer of assistance.
I am currently residing in the Red Dragon Inn, room 5M. You may send notice to me there.
Sincerely,
Ryana
Date: 23 Aug 1999 13:21:09 EDT
At the Behest of a Friend:
To say that Ryana was surprised to see Red rummaging through her room when she got back to the Inn would have been an understatement, it had been nearly two years since the tall, amazon woman had last "dropped in" for a visit.
"You have nothing here to eat, Ryana.", Red glanced over at her with a mock frown, turning as she spoke to flop down on Ryana's unmade bed.
Ryana couldn't help but grin noting Red's t-shirt that read,"Plays well with others", "I suppose you have reason to be within my room and Scorch?". Ryana crossed the room and sat down heavily in a chair.
"Fell asleep.", Red pointed to a lump under the blankets, a tawny coloured tail the only visible body part. "He can't handle play like he used to."
"He's getting old, like I. But I am in a bit of a rush, Red. Shall we get down to the business of your visit?". It was true, she had very little time to spare for her old companion just now, regrettable, but nonetheless true.
For the first time in all the years Ryana had known Red the woman looked serious as she spoke,"I have a friend that you might be able to help with your... particular talents, Ryana. I'm here to ask you to try."
For the next half hour Red filled in what little detail she had on her friend Drakewyn and her perception of the situation. Ryana listened quietly asking only a few cursory questions before nodding.
"I owe you for Scorch and I told you I would not forget. I will attempt to contact this woman and offer my skills to her. I am not sure what I can do, but I will try for you Red.", she paused, "Now remove whatever "surprise" you have laid for me and return to visit me when we both have more time."
A sheepish looking Red removed some type of spring loaded pie from over the closet door, as she moved toward the exit,"Thanks Ryana, I'll stop in later."
For long moments Ryana thought of how best to approach this Drakewyn, finally settling on sending a short missive to the woman at her office below the Inn.
Lady Drakewyn,
I have been given your name and a short explanation of worry from one Red 'ur Thorne. She believes she has reason to be concerned by nightmares that plague your sleep and refuse you dire needed rest.
As she is a dear and trusted friend I offer to you my skills. I am no witch, nor magi, nor anything you are like to have heard of. In my homeland I am named Stormdancer and I can sail through dreams and sometimes locate sources of usual activity, if naught else, I can assist in interpretation.
As this will be a favor repaid, I will request that you take the time to meet with me before you decide whether or not to refuse my offer of assistance.
I am currently residing in the Red Dragon Inn, room 5M. You may send notice to me there.
Sincerely,
Ryana
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From: fallnaster@aol.com (Fallnaster)
Date: 24 Aug 1999 21:25:00 EDT
They were slow, disturbingly humanoid in shape, and were visible in the dark of the caverns by the faint chlorous glow of their skin. They were slow, but they were many... and mindlessly persistent.
The first few he simply pushed aside until one slashed a deep gash in the palm of his hand with an unseen black sliver of metal. A panic overcame him and the sword in his hand leapt and hew, slaying a path clear.
Another stumbling flight, and he crashed into a group of them turning into his passage from a side tunnel. Muffled garbled sounds, in a laborious cadence of incantation, combined with a sudden acid burning in the gash in his palm... even as other sharp shards slashed at him.
Again, Jason's sword flailed a path... but now the steel of the blade smoked as it tore through the greenish flesh.
Winning free, he broke into another stumbling flight, yet even more brief, as a score of the creatures converged. Desperate and clever manuvering put him at one side of the mass, forcing the slow creatures to attack in only pairs or threes.
The rock pressed against his back as he slew them in desperation, the metal of the borrowed sword hissing and shivering under the power of their sorcery.
Too late the man realized that his manuver allowed the creatures to form a wedge, focusing their power at the apex immediately in front of him.
The gutteral cries scaled up triumphantly and his sword failed in a flash of ebon spatter, only a stub left beyond the hilt.
As they closed on him, metal slivers and claws seeking to rend, the rock wall at his back abruptly vanished and the man fell backwards into infinity.
A scream of shock and extremity tore from his throat as the fall went on and on.
Date: 24 Aug 1999 21:25:00 EDT
They were slow, disturbingly humanoid in shape, and were visible in the dark of the caverns by the faint chlorous glow of their skin. They were slow, but they were many... and mindlessly persistent.
The first few he simply pushed aside until one slashed a deep gash in the palm of his hand with an unseen black sliver of metal. A panic overcame him and the sword in his hand leapt and hew, slaying a path clear.
Another stumbling flight, and he crashed into a group of them turning into his passage from a side tunnel. Muffled garbled sounds, in a laborious cadence of incantation, combined with a sudden acid burning in the gash in his palm... even as other sharp shards slashed at him.
Again, Jason's sword flailed a path... but now the steel of the blade smoked as it tore through the greenish flesh.
Winning free, he broke into another stumbling flight, yet even more brief, as a score of the creatures converged. Desperate and clever manuvering put him at one side of the mass, forcing the slow creatures to attack in only pairs or threes.
The rock pressed against his back as he slew them in desperation, the metal of the borrowed sword hissing and shivering under the power of their sorcery.
Too late the man realized that his manuver allowed the creatures to form a wedge, focusing their power at the apex immediately in front of him.
The gutteral cries scaled up triumphantly and his sword failed in a flash of ebon spatter, only a stub left beyond the hilt.
As they closed on him, metal slivers and claws seeking to rend, the rock wall at his back abruptly vanished and the man fell backwards into infinity.
A scream of shock and extremity tore from his throat as the fall went on and on.
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From: casmaxim@aol.com (Cas Maxim)
Date: 08 Sep 1999 22:03:45 EDT
Straggling closely behind Red as she helped the intoxicated Drake to the bunkhouse, Cassius's ears caught a faint, feminine yell from the opposite direction. Discerning it to orginate from the Standings Keeper's office, Cas sprinted in that direction.
I'm locked in!!! Jaycy screamed from behind the door. After shaking his head for a few minutes, trying to figure out how the gypsy could have accomplished this, Cassius did the
first thing that came into his mind, accustomed to force as it was-he started to kick the door.
Fyn, who had followed them into the Annex, joined in with Cassius's efforts to free Jaycy,
swinging his Great Axe into the door while Cassius continued to violently kick at it. But the
heavy oaken door did not show any signs of capitulating, and damage was beginning to be noticeable on the surface. "Drake has a key!" Jaycy yelled from behind the door, and Cassius sprinted off again in the direction of the bunkhouse, signalling for Fyn to cease attacking the door. He entered the bunkhouse to find Red helping along Drake, who was nearly out. "I need the key to the
office!" Cassius shouted repeatedly, and to no avail, Red continued on, not seeming to hear him. Cas followed them, stopping as they laid Drake on a bunk. "I need the key to Drake's office". "Now, Cas..altering your record won't help" Red said in a teasing manner, to which Cas only responded with a faint smirk. "Jaycy's locked in
there" "How did she do that?" "I have no idea" Red began perusing Drake's prone person for
a place where she would keep a key, before stopping on a pouch at her waist. Dipping into the pouch, she produced a keyring with three rings on them. Nodding his thanks, Cassius raced back to the Standings Keeper office door. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Cas fiddled around with the keys before finding the right one, opening the door to reveal Jaycy inside, who suddenly bolted upwards from leaning over Drake's desk. Let's look through her
desk"Cassius said with an impish grin. "No, let's just go." Grumbling a bit, Cassius nodded, but as they locked the door again, and headed towards the Arena, a strange feeling was in the air...(TBC)
Date: 08 Sep 1999 22:03:45 EDT
Straggling closely behind Red as she helped the intoxicated Drake to the bunkhouse, Cassius's ears caught a faint, feminine yell from the opposite direction. Discerning it to orginate from the Standings Keeper's office, Cas sprinted in that direction.
I'm locked in!!! Jaycy screamed from behind the door. After shaking his head for a few minutes, trying to figure out how the gypsy could have accomplished this, Cassius did the
first thing that came into his mind, accustomed to force as it was-he started to kick the door.
Fyn, who had followed them into the Annex, joined in with Cassius's efforts to free Jaycy,
swinging his Great Axe into the door while Cassius continued to violently kick at it. But the
heavy oaken door did not show any signs of capitulating, and damage was beginning to be noticeable on the surface. "Drake has a key!" Jaycy yelled from behind the door, and Cassius sprinted off again in the direction of the bunkhouse, signalling for Fyn to cease attacking the door. He entered the bunkhouse to find Red helping along Drake, who was nearly out. "I need the key to the
office!" Cassius shouted repeatedly, and to no avail, Red continued on, not seeming to hear him. Cas followed them, stopping as they laid Drake on a bunk. "I need the key to Drake's office". "Now, Cas..altering your record won't help" Red said in a teasing manner, to which Cas only responded with a faint smirk. "Jaycy's locked in
there" "How did she do that?" "I have no idea" Red began perusing Drake's prone person for
a place where she would keep a key, before stopping on a pouch at her waist. Dipping into the pouch, she produced a keyring with three rings on them. Nodding his thanks, Cassius raced back to the Standings Keeper office door. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Cas fiddled around with the keys before finding the right one, opening the door to reveal Jaycy inside, who suddenly bolted upwards from leaning over Drake's desk. Let's look through her
desk"Cassius said with an impish grin. "No, let's just go." Grumbling a bit, Cassius nodded, but as they locked the door again, and headed towards the Arena, a strange feeling was in the air...(TBC)
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DoS Archive
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From: casmaxim@aol.com (Cas Maxim)
Date: 25 Oct 1999 02:17:05 EDT
Cassius stopped for a moment, listening. Something was not right. A peculiar stench wafted
through the cavernous chamber, seeming noxious to him, like the stench of death. Shadowy
voices whispered unintelligibly in his ears...but Jaycy didn't seem to hear them; she kept on walking. Cas hon, what's wrong? Jaycy finally turned back when she noticed Cassius was hesitating. Cassius just stood there, eyes lowered a bit, shaking his head. ..Nothing. Jaycy placed her hands on her hips and glanced at him, a small tilt of her head. <FONT
COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE=3>Tell me what's wrong....Cas quirked a slight smile, hey, she meant business. But still, he couldn't go into detail, because he really couldn't describe it. I told you. Nothing. Let's go. Jaycy nodded in acceptance of that answer, and they moved up to the stairs leading up to the Arena..when it happened. A strange mist gathered in the Annex, seeming to culiminate into solid
shape...Cassius and Jaycy turned around just in time to see the fog, and to hear the cold reptilian voice pour from the mist You..are friends..of the Slayer...Cassius walked sown the steps that he was halfway up to address the mist; it was a seemingly bold move, but the cold sweat that was forming on his brow suggested otherwise. Who? Who are you? the Roman stated in his a
firm voice that it took him a moment to compose. I smell her..I smell her in your gold. This gave Cassius no more clue than he had before, what gold? He wasn't able to discern such until later. The fog gradually took a reptilian shape, during this period,
it spoke back and forth with Cassius. Cas muttered what seemed like every Latin prayer to every diety he knew of from the Imperial City, frantic in his wish to rid the Annex of this demon, but stalwartly telling himself-and the thing-that the Roman pantheon would prevail, which the creature, which had now formed the massive head of a black dragon, responded with insults towards the Roman gods, insults that finally got Cassius to slowly retreat
towards the stairs. The head followed suit, lunging itself right into Cassius and Jaycy's faces,
it's enormity seeming to block out everything. Fyn launched repeated assaults on the beast, which Cassius noticed passing through the head as if it were thin air each time. Give word to the Slayer..tell her that Dagroth has returned...Who is the Slayer? You give no hint. Cas responded. Jaycy mentioned the possibility of Luthien Tinuviel, but Cassius doubted that. He had more
someone connected with dragons in mind...and at the moment, the first thought in his mind was of Marit Takcouma. He wouldn't think of Drakewyn til much later. Cassius glowered, and his courage began to rise as he saw Fyn not being attacked, though surely the wily Highlander was becoming an annoyance. Mayhaps this Dagroth was incapable of attacking, of causing them harm? And if this "Slayer" has slain the dragon...then reason followed it was dead..and
a mere phantom. Cassius duly informed the beast of this, only to recieve a tart reply. Could a phantom...do this? And as those words were spoken, a claw, thick, intimidating, and roughly as long as a longsword reached outward, drawing a slice along Cassius's cheek. Cassius stumbles back, and in instinct, drew forth Imperator and sent a sharp downward slice at the retreating
claw, but his attempts were as for naught as Fyn's had been: the gladius cut through the air. Cassius quickly returned Imperator to it's sheath, and started to ease towards the door. Jaycy had already departed, and even Fyn had
come to resign himself to the fact that it seemed invincible. Until you reveal to the Slayer my return...your wound..will fester without healing..With that, Dagroth started to withdraw. Cas placed his hand to his cheek, it was just a stracth, but the blood loss, with lack of healing, could be deadly...he didn't stay around to watch the dragon disapear completely as he moved
quickly out the door to the Arena, trying to figure out who this Slayer was so he could warn them.
Date: 25 Oct 1999 02:17:05 EDT
Cassius stopped for a moment, listening. Something was not right. A peculiar stench wafted
through the cavernous chamber, seeming noxious to him, like the stench of death. Shadowy
voices whispered unintelligibly in his ears...but Jaycy didn't seem to hear them; she kept on walking. Cas hon, what's wrong? Jaycy finally turned back when she noticed Cassius was hesitating. Cassius just stood there, eyes lowered a bit, shaking his head. ..Nothing. Jaycy placed her hands on her hips and glanced at him, a small tilt of her head. <FONT
COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE=3>Tell me what's wrong....Cas quirked a slight smile, hey, she meant business. But still, he couldn't go into detail, because he really couldn't describe it. I told you. Nothing. Let's go. Jaycy nodded in acceptance of that answer, and they moved up to the stairs leading up to the Arena..when it happened. A strange mist gathered in the Annex, seeming to culiminate into solid
shape...Cassius and Jaycy turned around just in time to see the fog, and to hear the cold reptilian voice pour from the mist You..are friends..of the Slayer...Cassius walked sown the steps that he was halfway up to address the mist; it was a seemingly bold move, but the cold sweat that was forming on his brow suggested otherwise. Who? Who are you? the Roman stated in his a
firm voice that it took him a moment to compose. I smell her..I smell her in your gold. This gave Cassius no more clue than he had before, what gold? He wasn't able to discern such until later. The fog gradually took a reptilian shape, during this period,
it spoke back and forth with Cassius. Cas muttered what seemed like every Latin prayer to every diety he knew of from the Imperial City, frantic in his wish to rid the Annex of this demon, but stalwartly telling himself-and the thing-that the Roman pantheon would prevail, which the creature, which had now formed the massive head of a black dragon, responded with insults towards the Roman gods, insults that finally got Cassius to slowly retreat
towards the stairs. The head followed suit, lunging itself right into Cassius and Jaycy's faces,
it's enormity seeming to block out everything. Fyn launched repeated assaults on the beast, which Cassius noticed passing through the head as if it were thin air each time. Give word to the Slayer..tell her that Dagroth has returned...Who is the Slayer? You give no hint. Cas responded. Jaycy mentioned the possibility of Luthien Tinuviel, but Cassius doubted that. He had more
someone connected with dragons in mind...and at the moment, the first thought in his mind was of Marit Takcouma. He wouldn't think of Drakewyn til much later. Cassius glowered, and his courage began to rise as he saw Fyn not being attacked, though surely the wily Highlander was becoming an annoyance. Mayhaps this Dagroth was incapable of attacking, of causing them harm? And if this "Slayer" has slain the dragon...then reason followed it was dead..and
a mere phantom. Cassius duly informed the beast of this, only to recieve a tart reply. Could a phantom...do this? And as those words were spoken, a claw, thick, intimidating, and roughly as long as a longsword reached outward, drawing a slice along Cassius's cheek. Cassius stumbles back, and in instinct, drew forth Imperator and sent a sharp downward slice at the retreating
claw, but his attempts were as for naught as Fyn's had been: the gladius cut through the air. Cassius quickly returned Imperator to it's sheath, and started to ease towards the door. Jaycy had already departed, and even Fyn had
come to resign himself to the fact that it seemed invincible. Until you reveal to the Slayer my return...your wound..will fester without healing..With that, Dagroth started to withdraw. Cas placed his hand to his cheek, it was just a stracth, but the blood loss, with lack of healing, could be deadly...he didn't stay around to watch the dragon disapear completely as he moved
quickly out the door to the Arena, trying to figure out who this Slayer was so he could warn them.