Cause and Effect

[DoS Archive]

From: hostgameriever@aol.com (HOST Game Riever)
Date: 08 Nov 2002 23:56:02 EST

::Nych had noticed the changes in the arena of late. He had seen the wounds of the fighters not healing as they once had. He had taken a pair of duelers down into the Annex in order to test his theory and found their wounds lessened as they were moved deeper into the cavern. This spurred his curiosity and he began to investigate the seeming loss of strength of the wards healing power.
Late one night he stood alone in the arena, well as alone as one can be in such a busy place. He went into the ring where he had called the challenge match the week before and began his experiment.
Taking the knife he carried in his belt, the removed it from its sheath and slid the razor edge across his palm. The knife laid open the flesh of his hand and the exposed tissue began to bleed without ceasing. This had never happened before, he had always healed in an instant when wounded within the rings. Taking his kerchief, he tied a bandage over the wound and went out into the night in search of advice.
He mounted his horse and rode toward New Mountainside. He knew that the Queen or her council would have the answer he sought.
Stopping in at the local healer, he gets some care for the hand before continuing the long journey.
Finding his way to the foot of the mountain, he stops to rest before ascending.
After he regains the strength for the rest of the ride, he steps into the saddle and rides on.
As if he was expected, the wiseman met him at the cross road leading to Mount Bane.

"I know why you are here Nycholas, and I have the answer to your query. Ride on to Mount Bane and gather Mithril for the finer. Then you are to go to the Ruins of Abbemere and seek the cloth which adorns the Cleric, Athlstan.
Bring them hither and they shall be joined and readied for the ride back in a fortnight"
Nycholas wasted no time, he rode till dawn after gathering the Mithril, riding till he reached the ruins and the needed cloth.
As if he was announced days in advance, the cloth lay waiting at the edge of the great hedge. Still without sleep, Nych gathered up the material and began the journey back to the place in the road he had met the elder.
Just as he was told, the man was on the spot and waiting for the sassenach. Nych turned over the items and then dropped down into the tall grass where he fell into an exhausted sleep.

Dreaming the dreams of the damned, he saw fearful things. Death in the arena, duelers falling at the hands of their opponents. Lurching from his sleep, the elder stands over him, his arms outstretched with the beautiful clothes sewn with threads of mithril and the cloth from the ruins.
"Take these and drape them over the gifts in the arena, from west to east, then south to north. Their magic should shield the arena from their power."
All night he rides, pressing to reach the arena before the duels begin.
Hindered by the stumbling of his weary steed, he must slow his pace and allow the horse a respite.
A full day late, and well into the 4th hour of the duels he makes his way into the cavern. He sets the parcel on the table and takes them one by one from it.
East first, the statue is covered. Then on to west he hides another.
North then, he covers the overlords gift and onto the South where he completes the elders wishes.
Standing back, he takes the knife once more from the sheath. Gritting his teeth, he lays open the flesh of his left hand with the razor edge.
The trailing edge of the wound oozes forth blood as the knife cuts its way across the thick flesh.
As the tip of the knife passes across the edge of his hand he lifts it and looks at the wound. To his great pleasure, he sees the scarless hand healed to original perfection.
Elated to have the mystery solved, he looks for the overlord and hopes to find out his motives for such a gift:::