There are 4 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-J]The Moaning Caves
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-D]As the Shadow Thickens
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [DL-J] I've Been Searching So Long. (JP)
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
4. [DL-D] Without the Aid of Dragons
From: "Tom Oesterman" <rabid_dog@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 14:18:11 -0800
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J]The Moaning Caves
[Day 1]
Keer's hands were still gripped in a tight fist, only the presence of
Dylan
kept him from abandoning reason. His mind raced with questions and
concerns.
Was he now one with the landwalkers? Would he be hunted as a traitor to
his
people? Why were the troops there it made no since that place had been
long
a safe spot and no exercises have been done there in years.
For now he listened as Tanami recounted the actions to Corwin he didn't
trust his own speech at this time. She didn't miss anything and Keer
knew
she would have made a valuable scout back. His head hurt like a
pounding of
drums. He had no home not now. He was an outcast from his kind and a
stranger to the warren folk, though true enough they have been
accepting of
him.
His thoughts were interrupted though as Corwin and Tanami looked to him
expectantly. Keer pulled himself out of his thoughts as Dylan squeezed
his
hand encouragingly. "There isn't really much more to add, if we hadn't
acted
as we did Octavia would have killed everyone. Though I think he was as
surprised to find us there as we were him."
"Where you able to get any answers," Corwin asked.
"Not directly it is more of what he would not say," Keer rubbed his
temples
trying to recall it all. "They were traveling quickly with light dress
and
with Octavia with them it was likely something illegal. He use to
travel
with several bad characters the only people who would have trusted him
is
someone that had something to hold over his head. The part that is a
bit
baffling to me is the soldiers he was with."
"What do you mean?" Corwin asked.
"Well Kataani don't normally bother with prisoners because it is seen
as a
sign of weakness, unless there is something about the prisoner that
could
offer them a larger sway over their enemy." Keer grabbed a stick and
began
drawing a map on the ocean floor.
"Here is where we encountered them." Keer made an X then an arrow
through
it. "Yet, they were traveling this way. The city is over this way the
base
camps are here, here and here. There isn't anything out here except the
moaning caves." Keer smiled a bit at the looks he got. Something he
rarely
did. "When I was a child I was told stories of these caves to try and
scare
me. Basically it was believed that on the rare occasion a Kataani would
hold
a prisoner he would bring them here but once the caves had you they
would
never let you go. To drive the point home elders would produce bones
saying
it belong to so and so may the waves ever keep him. Meaning simply that
the
person had died and this was all that was left of him."
"Yes, I've heard of them too," added Tanami. "People refer to them as
the
Moaning Caves."
Keer nodded.
"But what does that have to do with the guards this Octavia was with?"
Corwin asked.
"Simply they boar the emblem of the caged whale." At the looks of
confusion
he went on. It is the symbol used by the guards of the caves." Keer
shook
his head from side to side. A gesture he learned from top side and had
grown
custom too. "My father would have known more he took trips there on
occasion, though from his attitude it never seemed a pleasing trip. He
would
come home and lock himself away in his study for days on end."
Keer noticed Dylan listening intently; he had never talked much about
his
family to her. His father would never accept her. Well it didn't matter
he
thought to him self, the old man didn't seem to accept his only son
either.
The conversation had moved on and Keer realized he had missed what was
being
said. Yet the fact that once again he was to be separated from Dylan
sent a
chill like a razor sharp tooth into his spin.
Keer was to lead the way to the caves to see what else they could find
out.
So stepping aside a moment from the group as they prepared he called to
the
sharks. It was Fleshripper that responded, though a while ago the
sharks
name had been White Fang. Keer rolled his eyes. Sharks shed names like
humans shed clothes.
With a few instructions he turned back to Dylan, though it hurt to
leave her
side he didn't wish Dylan to be in danger of what lay ahead. Yet, the
nagging feeling of threat still lingered in the water like an octopus
ink
spray.
As he rode away not all the water in the ocean could wash away the
feeling
of her lips upon his. It would have to be enough for now he thought and
turned his attention to Clowie and Tanami and with a mental prodding
explain
to Adas where they needed to go.
Riding upon the back of their dragons Keer began to sing at first his
voice
was so low that neither of his companions first realized what was
happening.
But soon it became evident as the creatures of the sea avoided their
path.
Tanami turned to Keer "What are you doing?"
"I've wove a simple spell that should keep us from being noticed, it
isn't
as powerful as some magic but simple enough for our purpose." Keer then
pointed. "Look there."
Riders and dragons looked, before them was a serious of caves that were
shadowed by a large cliff face. The seaweed and barnacles of the area
seemed
to appear sinister, helped along with the many bones littered on the
rocks
and ocean bed. There were two Kataani sitting on the backs of killer
whales
patrolling the area. Each was equipped with a seashell horn, trident
and
bandolier of daggers. The outfits they wore were not standard guards.
"What do you make of it?" asked Clowie.
"Those are not guards I've heard tell of them but never actually seen
any."
Tanami answered.
"They are the Cortairs or if you rather the hand of the deep. Bloody
Assassins what could they possible by guarding." Keer growled. "Well
ladies
how do you want to handle this if they get a blow on those horns we
will be
swarmed in no time."
[Tag John and Katie]
Submitted by Edward Murray
AKA
Keer rider of Adas
Summary
Keer tells them about the Moaning Caves and leads Tanami and Clowie to
the
Caves.
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 14:20:12 -0800
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D]As the Shadow Thickens
Day 105 [Night time]
[Triylar]
[The Keep]
Night had come; the town of Triylar was illuminated by candles and
torches.
A loud screech was heard piercing the night as three Wyverns took
flight. A
hooded figure watched from the highest tower as the flock flew from
their
hidden lairs around the town. The clocked figure laughed that sounded
so
feminine yet the guards standing near by ****vered all the same. Leara
spread
her arms and called to the night her hood falling back. "Yes my friends
fly,
bring terror to those who would not bow down to their queen." The
master
was right the world was hers and with the aid of the master all of
Dragon
Lands would fall under her role and then perhaps it would be know as
the
land of Shadows in favor of her wyvern friends.
Already her troops had grown to five thousand strong not counting the
strength of the wyverns that now had fifty riders. There wasn't a force
strong enough in Daere that could stop her. The king the fool that he
was
sent only a thousand troops to help. A force she hoped to annihilate
this
very night. The Wyverns would soften them up and then she would send in
two
thousand troops to finish the job.
She turned and pulled her hood back up to hide the evil damage the
dragons
had done to her beautiful face so long ago. One side so twisted and
horrid
while the other so pure and perfect. Like some mad bards tale. The
guards
parted quickly as she moved passed them.
In a moment she was once again in her thrown room, Jok stood waiting
for her
along with two other men dressed all in dark clothing. All bowed to her
as
she set down. "Very well let's continue this."
One of the dark men stepped forward. "I am Noctar of the Spider it has
been
brought to our attention you wish someone to be given the eternal
sleep."
"How quaint, you fool I wish someone killed in the most horrible
fa****on as
you possibly can. I have been told you are very good at your business.
But
let me warn you cross me and there isn't a shadow in the world that
will
hide you from me." Leara replied. She wanted to do this herself but
the
master forbid it saying she was to stay and guard the town the Dragon
riders
were to make a move soon and she should not be from it.
The man nodded as though her warning and manor could not bother him.
"As you
say, just tell us whom you wish dead and we will make it happen."
Leara laughed and it took her some time before should could get back
under
control. "Ah my little shadows you can not escape me." She turned her
attention back to the men waiting her. There is a man named Liaghon
Malthean
he has killed his brother and escaped the town with his little whore
named
Jade. I would have them tracked down and slain their heads returned to
me so
that I could show justice done."
"As you wish it will be done, there is a matter of payment."
"I'm not done you fool, listen or I'll feed you to the Wyverns. They
have
information I don't wish to fall in the warrens hands. I've already
procured
the fastest horses at my disposal. If they should reach the warren your
job
will also be to bring that information back and to kill anyone that may
have
seen it." Her hood slid back as she leaned forward and smiled.
The man flinched slightly not sure what to say.
"As to payment, do this for me and you'll be handsomely rewarded fail
me and
it is your heads that will be upon my gate posts." She set back and
pulled
her hood back over her head.
Rising from the floor the man hadn't even realized he had been
kneeling.
Stepping back away he found his courage once again. "It will be done as
you
say your highness." With that he and his companion turned and walked
out.
[The Road to the Warren from Triylar]
The black carriage moved rapidly along the road pulled by six white
horses.
Two saddled up horses were lead along behind the carriage. Inside the
Carriage sat two figures both dressed richly, but neither looking at
the
other. The female watched out the window, she couldn't bear to face the
look
of the other again. She had hopped and prayed for forgiveness but the
look
he produced was only that of contempt for her. Why he had not killed
her she
didn't know, perhaps he waited for just the right moment. She sighed
inwardly.
The man looked at his companion and then turned away. His emotions were
all
jumbled up. Jade was a prize he dearly wished for but now she was also
the
instrument of his brothers' death, not that he didn't deserve it, plus
it
now left him in charge of the estate and funds. His father would have
shrugged it off just as Jorhiem would have if she had killed him.
Before the
killing she seemed to have affection for him and not his brother, but
was
that true or was that merely to put him at ease. She was like a serpent
both
beautiful yet very deadly. He would have to keep his wits about him if
he
wished to keep alive.
Submitted by
Edward Murray
AKA
Leara, Jade, Liaghon
Summary
Leara sends out her the Wyverns and her troops to put an end to the
Troops
trying to take back the city. She hires a couple of assassins to take
out
Liaghon and Jade.
NRPG: Great op****tunity for a patrol and the calling out of the
Dragons.
Also someone could meet up with Liaghon and Jade as they arrive at the
Warren or help save them if they get caught by the assassins first.
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 17:46:35 -0500
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] I've Been Searching So Long. (JP)
Day 1
[Broadcast the warning loud and clear,] Corwin repeated to Syngnath as
they readied for tele****ting. He was worried that Eliase had strained
herself and made sure that they would tele****t in near to the medical
center.
In the blink of an eye they arrived over Jasra. To his astonishment
the
medical center was swarming with activity.
[Umm... I think they already know about that Kataani invasion force,]
Syngnath commented dryly. They circled in ever widening circles,
taking
in the devastation and dead below. Thankfully, Corwin realized that
most of the dead on the beach were Kataani, but there were several
still
forms below that must have been defending the warren.
Then he spotted the familiar shape in bronze armor. Corwin directed
Syngnath to land a short distance away. Then he launched himself from
the seadragon's back and rushed to her side. He glared at the disarmed
Kataani warrior behind her before asking, "Are you injured?"
"Ask me again after we find Oga. He's ashore in the warren, and this
time, the only way he is leaving is in pieces," Hsina said flatly. Of
course there was enough of her thick red blood seeping between mangled
bronze plates to show that she was in fact injured, despite the copious
amounts of Kataani blood splattered all over her. One thing was clear,
she had seen a lot of action already, and probably accounted for a
great
many of the bodies on the beach.
"Oga!" Corwin roared out. He added a few epithets that only a sailor
would know before putting a restraining hand on Hsina's arm. "Don't go
after him alone -- he is a powerful wizard," Corwin cautioned. "We'll
find him! But together!"
"That's fine, but when we find him, I don't want you to watch what I
do"
Hsina said, sounding almost vulnerable.
"No! You can't take his life, Hsina. He has the Kataani Emperor! We
can't kill him until the Emperor is safe!"
"I'll leave enough of him to tell us where the emperor is, and then
when
the emperor is found, he'll wish I was so kind as to kill him" Hsina
said in a soft voice dripping with pure, unadulterated malice.
Corwin nodded his approval. "And we should have a search party looking
for Princess Kyomi at once, if they aren't already."
"Yes, Princess Kiyomi is missing as well. Oga must have sent spies
into
the warren last night, there were signs of a struggle in her apartment,
but no trace of her in the warren."
Corwin's jaw tightened and he slammed his massive fist into the palm of
one hand. "How foolish we were! How could we possibly think we were
safe within our warren and take no extra precautions! Where is the
warrenlady? Is Tara safe?"
"For now" Hsina replied. "She's hiding in plain sight; wa****ng pots in
the dining area. Actually, I have an idea."
Hsina's eyes narrowed as she looked at the injured Kataani still
struggling into the water. "What if we unhide her, that would bring
Oga
out of his hole if anything would."
"What? No! Certainly not!" Corwin boomed, and then lowered his voice
to say, "Tara's played that game before, being the bait, and it almost
cost her life. It is just too risky!"
"There is a difference now," Hsina said as she again looked out on the
field of bodies. "No harm will come to her, but if we want to find
Oga,
I don't see another way."
"I don't like it." Corwin shook his head and frowned.
"But it isn't for you to decide. It is for Tara." Hsina stated
calmly.
As she headed toward the dining hall to discuss it with the warrenlady,
Corwin followed behind her grumbling. It was with some dismay that
they
discovered that Tara was not in the dining hall. After a frantic
search
of the immediate vicinity it was obvious that she was nowhere to be
found.
---
SUMMARY:
Day 1 Corwin returns to Jasra with Eliase to give his dire warnings of
the invasion force only to discover that the battle has already been
engaged, and in fact is virtually over. Seeking out Hsina, he
discovers
that Oga is in Jasra. Hsina believes that the only way to flush Oga
out
is to provide an irresistible target, Tara. They search for Tara who
was supposed to be "hiding" in dining hall but is not there.
---
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Corwin and Syngnath
And
Andrew F.
AKA
Hsina and Keeza.
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 01:13:52 -0500
From: "Tom Oesterman" <rabid_dog@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D] Without the Aid of Dragons
<Daere Warren>
<Alex and Talafal's Apartment>
<Day 104 - Early Morning>
As the first rays of the sun peaked through the open windows of the
cliff apartment, Alex rose from his work and watched the magnificent
sunrise. Behind him, battlefield maps, memos from the front and copies
of official orders lay scattered across a large oak table. The
information was gathered for him at great expense by shadowman named
Zander, and Alex figured he was about as well informed as most of the
King's generals. But still he had found no way that Triylar could be
freed, that is without the aid of dragons. He watched the sky lighten
and pondered what was going to happen next.
<Later that morning>
<SNIP from FIRE LANCES>
Alex looked curiously at the dragon saddle that sat mounted on a wooden
post. Or, to be more exact, he was staring curiously at the contraption
that was affixed to the saddle. "I have used lances, and I have used
crossbows," the knight remarked, "but never anything quite like this.
It looks akin to a small ballista."
"That's just what it is," T'rell said, running a hand across the heavy
crossbow mechanism. "But notice that this one is on a swivel mount - it
can be traversed from side to side, and also vertically. The vertical
motion is limited, as you can see, to keep it from being aimed
sufficiently downward to accidentally hit the dragon who's carrying
it."
"What sort of projectile do you intend for this to fire?" Alex asked.
"Something this size could sling something as large as a knight's
lance!"
"And here it is," T'rell said, leaning down to lift a canvas tarp that
sat next to the saddle. Underneath it were three long, metal shafts.
Each was shaped like an arrow, but was nearly six feet long and as
thick as a man's arm. He lifted one and handed it to Alex. "As you say,
like a knight's lance."
As T'rell had expected, Alex's eye was immediately drawn to an 8-inch
segment just behind the tip of the lance. "Glass?" he asked. "This will
not survive the first impact."
"It isn't meant to," T'rell said. "This will be filled with oil - or
something even more flammable, if we can come up with something better.
The glass will shatter, but not until the heavy tip just ahead of it
has smashed through window and landed inside a building. It will also
go through wooden doors or shutters."
"This is, then, made to destroy buildings?" Alex said.
T'rell nodded. "One of the weapons we plan to use for that purpose.
But, I think it might also be effective in air-to-air combat against
wyverns...especially if the re****ts we've heard of wyverns with riders
are true. I need an expert with weapons to test this thing and see just
what *is* the most effective use for it. We've only finished the one
firing mechanism here, and only half a dozen of the lances, but more
will be on the way. Before we actually make more, though, I need
someone who's familiar with weapons to test them and find out how they
can be improved and made more effective for both of the purposes I just
mentioned. Are you game?"
<END SNIP>
Alex nodded and said, "It seems like a fair idea, but I'm afraid that
it may take some training to fire the weapon accurately. Do you have
any practice bolts?"
"Yes, I have them in a harness that we can easily attach to a dragon
saddle."
"Excellent. Let's get started then," Alex replied, and then he
telepathically called for his dragon friend. In just a few seconds,
Talafal swooped onto the green.
*We're going to test out a new weapon that T'rell made.* Alex said to
Talafal. The blue dragon eyed the strange saddle and the even stranger
contraption on it.
*I don't think that it looks very fa****onable, Alex. Nothing that is
going to make me look more impressive for the ladies.*
Alex groaned, *You've seen Mylinna already this morning haven't you.*
Talafal sighed contently as wisps of gray smoke escaped from his
nostrils. *She's so beautiful - especially in the morning when she is
sunning herself. The way the sunlight glistens off her scales is . . .
is . . . beautiful.* Alex rolled his eyes and helped T'rell secure the
weapon saddle on the lovesick dragon, while Talafal absentmindedly
chatted about the heavenly Mylinna.
Several minutes later, the weapon was securely strapped on and a
handful of targets were quickly placed around the green. After the bolt
harness was attached Alex climbed in the saddle and with a mighty swoop
of wings, Talafal launched himself and his rider into the air.
Alex proceeded to load and fire the weapon at a few targets that dotted
the green. But even with his training and keen eyesight, it was
difficult to hit the targets while flying anything but level. Also he
found that reloading the weapon was slow and very ***bersome,
especially while Talafal maneuvered around. After about a half-hour and
about three dozen bolts, he had only managed to hit six targets.
Talafal swooped in and landed near the wingleader.
"Looks like you had some troubles, Alex," T'rell said as he helped
unhitch the weapon saddle.
"Yes I did," Alex replied and he slid the weapon saddle off his dragon.
He spoke as he did so, "I think that the weapon is a grand idea; its
going to require some practice to become proficient, though. But maybe
you could do something to help to make reloading easier. I found that
the swivel mount made it very hard to use the crank to reload . . ."
Suddenly Alex's expression grew distant, as he listened to message
relayed to him by Talafal.
T'rell knew the look and asked, "Something im****tant, Alex?"
"Yes, Talafal and I have been summoned to a the Warren Lady's office,
could you please excuse me."
SUMMARY
DAY 104
Crack of Dawn
Alex reviews the battle plans to retake Triylar and realizes that it
will utterly hopeless without the aid of dragons.
Early Morning
Alex and T'rell work on the new heavy crossbow weapon system, while
Talafal composes love sonnets about Lyin's dragon Mylinna.
Submitted By
Tom
aka
Alex and Talafal the Greatest in the Realms
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