From: rlupton@aol.com (RLupton)
Date: 28 Mar 2000 12:36:46 EST
"It is completed, Emperor."
His fabled cloak turned in a lack-luster tornado with its master toward the man. Crisply the uniformed gentleman stood, as if a soldier. All of Dracoern's staff were this way--ruled by the military discipline that caused the Empire to flourish. It was an image Lupton found difficult representing. "I trust 'tis excellent, foreman, just as the drawings."
The man cracked a smile and his eyes glinted of pride. It rang through his voice, "Beyond excellent, Lord. You will be most pleased."
Lupton sent the missive he held back to his desk carpeted with a hundred others and his grin echoed the servant's. "Let's go, then."
It was minutes later when the narrow door creaked open. The lights were out for the damp, early morning hours and the place smelled of fresh saw dust. A million memories flooded the cloaked Lupton as the scent washed through him, but the repressed excitement of the event kept him focused. The foreman, Tahne, stepped beside him and called out. Light sprang from darkness.
Clasped to the Annex's wall was the sky box, a feat of genius architecture. Supported by rounded golden lion sculptures leaping from the wall, the pair held the half-globe that was the sky box. It was painted to be the world, clear shapes of RhyDin's continents found in the detailed blue and green. Soaring from the bottom was a mithril work of art. The dragon jutted from the sky box, wings stretched wide in celebration of the structure.
Where the globe stopped glass began, completing the perfect sphere and sheltering the box's patrons. Inside, the floor was a plush red and the expansive room defined elegance and luxury. Wide couches, deep wood tables, a stocked bar, and an array of wall hangings from axe to art filled the interior. The Annex wall at the back was home to the Empire's flag, black with their rearing gold dragon and to the right was the door. A loosely spiraling
stairway led down to the Annex.
The entire thing overlooked the challenge ring and provided a view only matched by a man within. Tahne was right. Lupton was pleased.
"Put a man at the bar, foreman, and another at the door. Let anyone in, but make sure the two keep it under control."
"Yes, m'lord. Anything else?"
"Aye, Tahne," the Emperor grinned. "Ye and yer men take the week off."
An Addition
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From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 29 Mar 2000 01:58:34 EST
The night the workmen put up the skybox, as with most nights, Drakewyn was working late in her office. She tried to avoid working more than a few hours a night, but some nights took more of her time than others.
When she first saw work being done in the Annex, she said nothing... Valentine hadn't mentioned anything about it, but she didn't talk to the new Supervisor as much as she did his father.
The final report added to her lists, she stepped from her office and out into the Annex, closing the door behind her. Looking across the dimly lit room, she studied the new structure.
"Well," she said to the dark room. "I suppose it wasn't Valentine's idea after all. No mistaking the heady arrogance of that particular banner." She shook her head in disgust. The man had never even been Overlord, and yet with his banner and his ostentatious skybox, Lupton gave the impression that he owned the Annex.
"And they say I am on some kind of power-trip." she muttered sardonically.
'This too shall pass,' whispered the DragonSong in her soul. 'The works of men are transitory at best.'
She took a deep, calming breath; the air illuminated by the faint glow seeping from the scabbarded blade at her side... and then, she vanished.
Date: 29 Mar 2000 01:58:34 EST
The night the workmen put up the skybox, as with most nights, Drakewyn was working late in her office. She tried to avoid working more than a few hours a night, but some nights took more of her time than others.
When she first saw work being done in the Annex, she said nothing... Valentine hadn't mentioned anything about it, but she didn't talk to the new Supervisor as much as she did his father.
The final report added to her lists, she stepped from her office and out into the Annex, closing the door behind her. Looking across the dimly lit room, she studied the new structure.
"Well," she said to the dark room. "I suppose it wasn't Valentine's idea after all. No mistaking the heady arrogance of that particular banner." She shook her head in disgust. The man had never even been Overlord, and yet with his banner and his ostentatious skybox, Lupton gave the impression that he owned the Annex.
"And they say I am on some kind of power-trip." she muttered sardonically.
'This too shall pass,' whispered the DragonSong in her soul. 'The works of men are transitory at best.'
She took a deep, calming breath; the air illuminated by the faint glow seeping from the scabbarded blade at her side... and then, she vanished.
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From: simini@aol.com (Simini)
Date: 29 Mar 2000 02:11:41 EST
It was late; far too late for anyone to be in the Arena on a non-dueling night. Good. Perfect for an intense solo practice; she needed time alone, to focus, to become the blade.
Even so, Simini really didn't want to risk seeing anyone at all, so she went right on into the Annex, holding Moredhil against her thigh to dampen any sound it might make as she walked. The lamp she held threw a soft light around her as she stepped in, pleased that it appeared totally empty.
After one quiet step in her elven-made boots she whirled, blackstone hissing its way out of the scabbard faster than it had in years. Something... very large... was there on the back wall, ready to leap at her if she didn't slit its throat first.
Realizing the... thing... was inanimate, Simini stepped closer, raising the lamp a bit higher. Up... and up. The mithril dragon glinted dimly, and the expression of realization and disgust grew.
"Ye goddess. Who under the Light built this bloody thing?"
Lions. Glass. Plush interior furniture of some sort, although she couldn't make out details from where she stood.
"A skybox. A bloody skybox in the Annex. As if they didnae cause enough trouble in the Arena. I thought MacKenzie's box was ostentatious enough, but this bloody thing... bloody hell... what was Val thinking? I do hope he has some idea of..."
Still muttering to herself, she turned around and went right back upstairs. Somehow, the mood for practice had left her.
Date: 29 Mar 2000 02:11:41 EST
It was late; far too late for anyone to be in the Arena on a non-dueling night. Good. Perfect for an intense solo practice; she needed time alone, to focus, to become the blade.
Even so, Simini really didn't want to risk seeing anyone at all, so she went right on into the Annex, holding Moredhil against her thigh to dampen any sound it might make as she walked. The lamp she held threw a soft light around her as she stepped in, pleased that it appeared totally empty.
After one quiet step in her elven-made boots she whirled, blackstone hissing its way out of the scabbard faster than it had in years. Something... very large... was there on the back wall, ready to leap at her if she didn't slit its throat first.
Realizing the... thing... was inanimate, Simini stepped closer, raising the lamp a bit higher. Up... and up. The mithril dragon glinted dimly, and the expression of realization and disgust grew.
"Ye goddess. Who under the Light built this bloody thing?"
Lions. Glass. Plush interior furniture of some sort, although she couldn't make out details from where she stood.
"A skybox. A bloody skybox in the Annex. As if they didnae cause enough trouble in the Arena. I thought MacKenzie's box was ostentatious enough, but this bloody thing... bloody hell... what was Val thinking? I do hope he has some idea of..."
Still muttering to herself, she turned around and went right back upstairs. Somehow, the mood for practice had left her.